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Positive Coaching Alliance Connector
November 17, 2010
 
David Jacobson, Editor

In This Issue:
Five Easy Pieces: Quick Tips From Jim Thompson's Positive Sports Parenting
Ask PCA: Whatever Happened to Helping an Opponent Up?
Coaching Tip: Leading a Parent Meeting
Nominate Coaches for PCA's Double-Goal Coach Award Presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance
Support PCA's Annual Fund Now and Have Twice the Impact
Five Easy Pieces: Quick Tips From Jim Thompson's Positive Sports Parenting

PSP_CoverAsked for some quick sports parenting tips to include in this article in the San Jose Mercury News, PCA Founder and Executive Director Jim Thompson provided the following, adapted from his book, Positive Sports Parenting.

 

Fill Emotional Tanks: E-Tanks are like gas tanks. Fill your children's E-Tanks with specific, truthful praise and they will be more coachable and perform better.  Nonverbals like high-fives and head nods also fill E-Tanks.

 

Mistake Ritual: Mistakes are what kids worry about most in sports. Reduce fear of mistakes to release more energy to make the play. Help your child "reset" for the next play with a "flush" motion and "Flush it!"

 

Focus on Effort: When your child tries hard and succeeds: "Great play! Your hard work is paying off."  In times of failure: "It didn't work out, but I love your effort!" Let your child know you value effort more than talent.

 

No-Directions Cheering: Avoid giving sidelines advice by eliminating verbs.  Say "Great pass!" but not "Pass it!" It's the coach's job to coach. Yours is to cheer.

 

Self-Control Routine: Develop a routine to keep from getting carried away by perceived unfairness to your child. Count backwards from 20, turn away from the game, take five deep breaths, whatever it takes to avoid embarrassing your child (and yourself!).

 

Let us know which of these tips work for you or share your own tips at Jim Thompson's blog, Life Lessons from the Playing Field.

 

 

Click here to purchase copies of Positive Sports Parenting.

 

Ask PCA: Whatever Happened to Helping an Opponent Up?

We had a great response to our most recent "Ask PCA" question about whether a select-team player also should play house league ball. Many of you focused on the opportunities for that player to become a leader, try new skills in a less competitive environment and just plain "have fun."

To review that question and PCA's answer, you can continue scrolling through this item, but for now, consider this week's question:

Whatever Happened to Helping an Opponent Up?

"I see it less and less these days...a good, hard-hitting tackle followed by the defensive player assisting the ball carrier to his feet. The norm is more of aggression and celebration -- both have their place in football -- but what ever happened to helping an opponent to his feet as a show of respect? Is it just me, or are coaches no longer teaching this small gesture of sportsmanship to our young athletes?"

--Steve Stanford, Tampa, FL

  

Comment on this topic on the "Ask PCA" blog.

Following is the previous "Ask PCA" question and PCA's response:

"My 11-year-old son's select-team baseball coaches are upset that he is also playing house league Fall Ball, which my son loves, because it is so relaxed and fun. These select coaches say that playing with 'bad' players will hurt my son's talent. I'm curious what the general thought is on this."

 
PCA Response by Eric Eisendrath, Lead Trainer-New York

I cannot support your son's select-team coaches' stance in any way. If your son enjoys playing with his friends, in a familiar league, with a more relaxed atmosphere, I support his decision 100%. At this age, continuing to foster a love for the game is critical.

 

Other than the possibility that it may take your son a few at-bats to re-acclimate to the speed of select-team pitching after his time playing in the house league, I cannot think of one shred of evidence to support these select-team coaches' claims.

 


Ask PCA your youth sports coaching and sports parenting questions, at
[email protected]

 
Coaching Tip: Leading a Parent Meeting

Parent_Meeting_RS_Video

  

Your players' parents are critical in establishing and maintaining a positive team culture. Therefore, it is important to proactively meet with them as a group as soon as possible after your team forms.

 

Sharing your goals, philosophies and expectations -- along with learning theirs -- sets your team up for success. To see how it's done, click the video screen above, part of the Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports Program Powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.

 

Nominate Coaches for PCA's Double-Goal Coach Award Presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance 

2011_DGC_300pxDo you know a Double-Goal Coach, whose first goal is winning, and whose second, more-important goal is teaching life lessons through sports? If so, nominate that coach for PCA's Double-Goal Coach Award Presented by Liberty Mutual Insurance. Winners of this prestigious national award receive a $250 cash award, a plaque, and recognition in PCA's publications, website and media campaigns as well as on ResponsibleSports.com.

 

The nomination deadline is December 31, 2010! 

 

Criteria of a Double-Goal Coach

  • Redefines "Winner" through a focus on mastery, rather than a scoreboard orientation, teaching players that a "winner" makes maximum effort, continues to learn and improve, and is not stopped by mistakes or fear of mistakes.
  • Fills Players' Emotional Tanks, refusing to motivate through fear, intimidation, or shame. Recognizing that a player's "Emotional Tank," like the gas tank of a car, must be full in order to go anywhere, the Double-Goal Coach provides a fuel mixed of five specific, truthful praises for every specific, constructive correction.
  •  Honors the Game by respecting ROOTS (Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, Self).  

Support PCA's Annual Fund Now and Have Twice the Impact


A group of PCA supporters including Lakers Head Coach Phil Jackson will match every dollar given to PCA's Annual Fund before Dec 31st up to a total of $100,000. 

Support PCA and help us reach our goal of impacting 1.4 million youth in 2011 alone. Donate now and have twice the impact. Click here to support PCA's Annual Fund now. Your participation enables PCA to continue developing winners on and off the field, leading to major league people.

 


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