An easy way to avoid trouble is by keeping busy. Do whatever, just stay busy! Trouble lurks around idle time, all the time.
I work with high school students and this is the most important, yet most challenging message I can drive home. It's helpful to have a fun activity in your quiver to help reinforce this golden guidance.
My biggest resource in addition to "The Little Black Pearl" (art program) is the The Ring of Hope- boxing mentoring program. For a couple of my more aggressive mentees this is the perfect way for them release built-up tension.
Here is a recent post I wrote for cpsmentors.com, which gives a description of what the brothers over at the ROH are putting together.
Fighting in the "Ring of Hope"