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Dusty Baker Coaching Tip: Helping Players Overcome "Failure"
Click the video screen above for a message from PCA National Advisory Board Member and Cincinnati Reds Manager Dusty Baker on how coaches can help players overcome failure.
Says Dusty, in this excerpt from his video shoot for PCA's online courses: "It's OK to get down, but the key -- like in life, I tell my guys -- is just don't stay down."
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As more people learn about PCA, read our books, take our online courses and enter into partnership with PCA, the more media attention gets cast onto our movement to provide all youth athletes a positive, character-building youth sports experience. Here are links to recent media coverage of PCA:
More Than a Game
Parent & Child, June, 2011
PCA Founder and Executive Director Jim Thompson comments on invaluable life lessons your child can learn from playing sports.
Expert Offers Tips for Fostering Sportsmanship
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, June 15, 2011
PCA-Sacramento Executive Director Bill Herenda shares PCA's views on sportsmanship and balancing the goals of winning and life lessons through sports. |
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Responsible Coaching Tip: Accepting Officials' Calls and Decisions
One way for a coach to accept a tough call from officials during a competition is to take a long view and realize that over time all competitors get their share of good and bad breaks.
Click the screen above for insights on the topic from Zeke Jones, US National Freestyle Head Coach at USA Wrestling, as part of the Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports Program Powered by Positive Coaching Alliance.
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Ask PCA: Should My Son Quit or Risk Further Loss of Confidence?
Thanks for your answers to our most recent "Ask PCA" question about when parents should address game performance with their children. To review that question and PCA's answer, you can continue scrolling through this item, but for now, consider this week's question:
Should My Son Quit or Risk Loss of Enjoyment and Confidence?
"My 12-year-old son over-achieved his way onto a very good All-Star team, whose other 12 players are just as skilled and mostly bigger, stronger and a little older. He only plays one or two innings per game, and he puts up a brave front, but we know he's lost his confidence. Should we pull him from the team or try to ride out the rest of the season? We don't want to advocate quitting, but are concerned his confidence and enjoyment of the game will continue to deteriorate. Suggestions?"
-- Dad in Norwalk, CT
Comment on this topic on the "Ask PCA" blog.
Following is the previous "Ask PCA" question and PCA response:
When Should Parents Discuss Game Performance With Their Children?
"As a parent, when is it best to discuss game performance with our high schooler? This is a debate between myself (a former coach) and my wife, who has a great understanding of the game. She wants to discuss our son's performance with him right after the game, but I think it should wait until later -- not during the walk from the field to the car, especially after a tough outing."
PCA Response by Eric Eisendrath, PCA Lead Trainer, Boston/New York
 As a high school coach (and former high school lacrosse goalie), spouse of a former Division One lacrosse player, and parent of a high school lacrosse player, I understand your situation. In all candor, I suggest you not venture into discussing your child's performance with him or her, unless specifically asked.
As difficult as this may be, the role of the parent in these situations is to provide unconditional love and support, independent of performance. It is the role of the coach to critique and discuss performance.
You may want to ask open-ended questions, such as, "Did you have fun?" or "Wow, that team had some really skilled players. What did you think?" and see where it goes. However, while not wanting to create matrimonial discord, it is unquestionably too soon to engage in these types of discussions in the shadow of the field. Let your child set the emotional schedule for such conversations.
If he or she wishes to bring it up, then make sure you are a good listener. It is far better to have your child say, "If I had that play to do over again I would have never tried to intercept that pass," as opposed to your saying how ill-advised it was to play so aggressively at that point in the game.
I can speak from experience that your high schooler likely would wish the same. Kids already feel judged by their teammates and coaches. Your providing a safe haven from that type of pressure is a powerful, long-lasting gift for your child. In the end, the ability of all parties in high school sports to respect each others' roles is critical. Let the coach coach your child. After all, you wouldn't want the coach "parenting" your child.
(Eric Eisendrath is a former Division One hockey goalie at Brown University, and has coached soccer, lacrosse and hockey at a variety of levels.)
Read all the Ask PCA blog comments on this question.
Ask PCA your youth sports coaching and sports parenting questions, at AskPCA@positivecoach.org.
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