Learning From The Positive Coaching Alliance
"You are not only coaching a sport; you are coaching a life," is the motto of the Positive Coaching Alliance. The alliance run within the Stanford University Athletic Department in California is working to change a culture of sports where coaches only coach to win and where parents pressure their athletes while trying to live vicariously through them.
The alliance is determined to educate parents and coaches. Some facts their lectures and website include are:
- Less than 1 percent of high school athletes get college scholarships. Student-athletes have much more of a chance of getting a scholarship if they study
- Young athletes who have college-level skills are better off being multisport athletes. Different sports allow young athletes to use different muscles, which may prevent injury in the long run, and the diversity may prevent burnout.
- Studies show that 70 percent of players quit sports by age 13. The longer you can keep it fun, the longer they will play. For parents, that means providing positive feedback, love and support. A survey of successful professional and Olympic athletes showed that unconditional love and support is the ground behind all these great athletes.
- Young athletes don't need the "DAGL," or "dreaded after-game lecture.” They do not need their parents coaching from the stands, sometimes contradicting the coach; using negative language and lecturing rather than listening.
- The "magic ratio" of positive statements to criticism is 5 to 1.
- While watching your child’s game if you start with a verb, you are not cheering, you are coaching, Example “get the ball.”
The alliance has found that parental “coaching” continues even at the college level and can still negatively impact the athlete.
—Adapted from mauinews.com
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