Positive Coaching Alliance and eight of the nation's top youth sports organizations --serving more than 5 million youth and high school-aged athletes -- today launched a "National Conversation on Good Coaching."

This unique initiative aims to get people throughout the country -- including you! -- talking about critical issues facing youth and high school sports.

To jumpstart the Conversation, you and others concerned with youth sports will receive monthly "Good Coaching Case Studies" through the websites, e-mail newsletters and publications of PCA and the Co-Conveners of the Conversation:

Old Yeller

Coach Coates is a yeller. He yells constantly during practices and games. He yells at his players and criticizes them when they do things wrong. He even yells when they seem to be doing things right. His teams consistently have winning records, and as far as you can tell, the players seem to handle the yelling without getting down on themselves or each other.

Is Coach Coates a good coach? Why or why not?

 

Would you want your child to play for this coach?

 

Does his winning record excuse his yelling?

 

Would your answer change depending on the age of the athletes?

 

You can "converse" about your answers at the Good Coaching Case Studies blog and by printing out each Case Study for discussion at youth sports events and organizational meetings. Co-Conveners will roll out the program throughout May and will release a new Case Study each month.

 

"Undertaking this conversation with our fellow Co-Conveners is an honor," Thompson said.  "These organizations have been leaders for years in creating a positive environment for youth athletes and their families.  Our jointly convening the conversation means we can get people all over the country talking about what constitutes good -- and bad! -- coaching. That makes it a truly national conversation with the potential to vastly improve the quality of coaching for youth athletes."