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Strive to win while teaching life lessons
Model and Teach Honoring the Game
- Teach ROOTS – respect for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and one’s Self
- Distribute PCA’s Parent/Guardian Letter to help parents Honor the Game
- Appoint a parent to be “Culture Keeper” for the team
- Drill Honoring the Game in practice
- Seize teachable moments to talk with players about Honoring the Game
Mastery of Sport over Scoreboard Wins
- Teach the ELM Tree of Mastery (Effort, Learning, and Bouncing back from Mistakes)
- Use a “Team Mistake Ritual” (like “Flushing Mistakes”) to help players quickly rebound from mistakes
- Reward effort, not just good outcomes. Recognize players even for “unsuccessful” effort
- Encourage players to set “Effort Goals” tied to how hard they try
Fill Your Players’ Emotional Tanks
- Use encouragement and positive reinforcement as your primary method of motivating
- Achieve the “Magic Ratio” of five positive reinforcements to each criticism or correction
- Use the “Buddy System” to teach players to fill each other’s Emotional Tanks
- Learn to give “Kid-Friendly Criticism,” such as criticizing in private, asking permission, using the Criticism Sandwich, and avoiding criticism in non-teachable moments
Talk At Every Practice and Game
- Review Honoring the Game, the ELM Tree and the Emotional Tank throughout the season
- Ask questions and encourage players to speak and contribute during team meetings
- Use PCA’s Talking Points e-mail series to guide discussions with your players
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Positive Coaching Alliance is a national non-profit developing “Better Athletes, Better People” by working to provide all youth and high school athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience.
Latest posts by PCA (see all)
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