|
PCA Tool: Parent Pledge
|
|
Youth athletes perform better and get more out of youth sports when their Double-Goal Coach® has a partnership with the player's Second-Goal Parent®. That is why we suggest that coaches download and distribute the PCA Parent Pledge. This PCA Tool reminds parents to focus on the Big Picture of helping their children learn life lessons through sports, to let coaches coach and to reinforce PCA principles in the stands or sidelines, such as a mastery approach to sports, Filling Emotional Tanks and Honoring the Game.
|
|
 |
|
Develop a Mission Statement
A compelling mission statement inspires people and galvanizes their energy, clarifying what your organization stands for in a concise, memorable way. Your organization can benefit from a mission statement, because it:
- Helps you communicate core values.
- Guides you through difficult, ambiguous situations.
- Starts conversations about your values.
- Helps hold your organization accountable.
Every school and youth sports organization should have a mission statement that explicitly emphasizes using sports to develop positive character traits and values in youth athletes that will help them succeed in life. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our featured partner is Needham (MA) High School, home of the Rockets. Read about the success of their PCA partnership!
» READ MORE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Brad Bowers, past award winner
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Challenge: Upholding a Positive Culture
When important games are on the line, can we really expect coaches, players, fans and parents to uphold a positive culture if it might result in losing the game? The answer must be, "YES!" PCA urges you, as leaders, to reinforce these important reminders with everyone in your organization:
- Involvement in sports is a privilege that must never be dishonored.
- Developing positive character traits in young athletes must come first.
- Capitalize on the learning opportunities inherent in playing the most challenging opponents and pushing teams to reach their highest potential.
When tensions run high, adults who demonstrate a high level of moral courage teach young athletes an invaluable lesson. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vista Del Lago High School (Folsom, CA) is this month's featured partner. Read about the keys to success of this partnership.
» READ STORY
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise "Moral Courage" In the Moment
Moral Courage is the public exercise of personal power to stand up for what's right, even when others disapprove. The moment will come when you must display the moral courage to stand up for your organization's positive culture. When players, coaches, parents or fans act in a way that undermines your organization's commitment to Honoring the Game, your moral courage will impel you to let them know such behavior is unacceptable. Here are some suggestions for handling those situations:
- You don't have to be perfect. It's okay if you don't say exactly the right thing.
- You must act in the moment, even if you are not terribly articulate.
- Sometimes, just a look and a downward hand movement to "calm down" will do the job.
People tend to respond to a higher authority or standard. Remind them that the higher standard for your organization is to Honor the Game. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bruce Horowitz, founder of Beverly Hills Basketball League, explains PCA's impact on the organization, which has prompted BHBL to underwrite PCA workshops and partnerships for other youth sports organizations.
» WATCH VIDEO
|
|
|
|
|
Organize an "Honor the Game" Day
Honor the Game Day focuses players, coaches, parents, officials, and fans on Honoring the Game. Among other things, your event plans should include:
- Promotion of the day at all parent, coach and board member meetings.
- Creation of banners to hang at all of the fields promoting the themes of the day.
- Coaches reading a statement at the beginning of all games to players, parents, officials, and fans that explains their team's commitment to Honoring the Game.
Honor the Game Day is a great way to let everyone know, "This is the way we do things here!" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kevin Murphy, award-winning Athletic Director of New Jersey's Washington Township High School, explains the impact of his school's PCA partnership in this video.
» WATCH VIDEO
|
|
|
|
|
Observe Practices
The ultimate in mentorship would be having the time, energy and desire to work closely with all your coaches, but that likely is not realistic. Consider seizing the opportunity to work with new or young coaches in your organization. Here are some points for you as an organizational leader to consider as you mentor these coaches:
- Are coaches fulfilling the vision of your organization?
- Make sure you are just observing, not immediately evaluating or correcting (unless the coach is extremely out of line with organizational culture).
Stay mindful, when observation turns to conversation with these coaches, that great communication is a cornerstone of great teamwork. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This month's featured partner is Ryan Middle School of Houston's Independent School District. Click the video screen above to learn how leadership and coaches work together to benefit youth athletes.
» SEE VIDEO
|
|
|
|
|
Lead a Coaches Round Table
The most impactful thing you can do as a leader is to shape your organization's culture. One method is to host a Round Table for all your coaches. Offer food and beverage and pick a convenient time, such as after practice. Ask coaches to contribute to the conversation by responding to questions or scenarios, such as:
- Describe a situation where your self-control routine helped you be a positive role model for your athletes.
- How does your team demonstrate respect for your opponents?
- How do your players overcome mistakes during competition?
How have PCA tools, such as "If-Then Statements" and "Criticism Sandwiches" helped in their coaching? |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northgate Little League (Manteca, CA) is this month's featured partner. Read about the success of their PCA partnership!
» READ MORE
|
|
|
|
|
Encourage Written Coaching Philosophies
The demands on volunteer youth coaches are substantial. Varying expectations in the face of limited time and resources leads to many coaches feeling overwhelmed. Help your coaches meet these challenges by encouraging them to develop written coaching philosophies. They'll be more likely to provide a healthy, character-building experience for the athletes and their families, and they'll have more fun themselves! Here are three ideas that will help them get the process rolling:
- What's most important? List 3-5 guiding principles of your coaching.
- Consider your coaching legacy: "When I retire as a coach, what I hope to be remembered for as a coach is..."
The seeds of your philosophy: Make a list of the key words and phrases you'd like to include in your coaching philosophy. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bolingbrook (IL) Soccer Club is this month's featured partner. Watch the video to learn secrets of their success.
» WATCH VIDEO
|
|
|
|
|
Recognize and Reward Positive Coaches
People learn what an organization values by seeing what gets rewarded. Many organizations only reward coaches with the best win/loss record (e.g. the coach whose team wins the most is named Coach of the Year). An educational-athletic organization rewards positive coaches, who build character in their players as well as teach skills. An effective way to show coaches, parents and athletes that your organization values Positive Coaching is to institute a Double-Goal Coach® Award. Among your nomination criteria:
-
Treats ALL players and opponents with respect.
-
NEVER bends the rules to win.
-
ALWAYS puts the team's best interests ahead of the coach's.
-
Consistently uses positive reinforcement to teach the sport and bring out the best in athletes.
Suggestions for the actual awards include:
Recognize "Coach of the Week" or "Month". |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Niles North High School (Skokie, IL) is this month's featured partner. Read about the success of their PCA partnership!
» READ STORY
|
|
|
|
