Mental models have power. They affect how people see,
think, and behave. If one were to characterize the current mental model
for coaching, it might be called "win-at-all-cost."
As part of Positive Coaching Alliance’s strategy to transform youth
sports, we have developed the Positive Coach Mental Model and will promote
it until it becomes the industry standard for youth sports. Extensive
academic research constitutes the foundation for the Positive Coach
Mental Model. Please read through the Positive Coach Mental Model
Research
Summary if you want to learn more.
The Positive Coach Mental Model is consistent with the National Standards
for Athletic Coaches developed by the National Association for Sport
and Physical Education (NASPE), but PCA does not aspire to be a certification
organization. Our goal is to win the minds and hearts of youth coaches,
so they will willingly choose to incorporate Positive Coaching into
their coaching life.
The Double-Goal Coach
A win-at-all-cost coach has only one goal: to win. He or she is concerned
primarily with teaching skills and developing strategy designed to win
games. A Positive Coach is a "Double-Goal Coach" who also
wants to win but has a second goal: to help players develop positive
character traits, so they can be successful in life. Winning is important,
but the second goal, helping players learn "life lessons,"
is more important. A Positive Coach puts players first.
Positive Coach Mental Model
There are three major elements to the "job description" of
a Positive Coach. A Positive Coach:
1) Redefines "Winner"
2) Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks
3) Honors the Game
1) Redefines "Winner"
A Positive Coach helps players redefine what it means to be a winner through
a mastery, rather than a scoreboard, orientation. He sees victory as a
by-product of the pursuit of excellence. He focuses on effort rather
than outcome and on learning rather than comparison to others.
He recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part
of learning and fosters an environment in which players don't fear making
mistakes. While not ignoring the teaching opportunities that mistakes
present, he teaches players that a key to success is how one responds
to mistakes. He sets standards of continuous improvement for self and
players. He encourages his players, whatever their level of ability, to
strive to become the best players, and people, they can be. He teaches
players that a winner is someone who makes maximum effort, continues to
learn and improve, and doesn’t let mistakes (or fear of mistakes)
stop them.
2) Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks
A Positive Coach is a positive motivator who refuses to motivate through
fear, intimidation, or shame. She recognizes that every player has an
"Emotional Tank" like the gas tank of a car. Just as a car
with an empty gas tank can’t go very far, a player with an empty
emotional tank doesn't have the energy to do their best.
A Positive Coach understands that compliments, praise,
and positive recognition fill Emotional Tanks. She understands the importance
of giving truthful and specific feedback and resists the temptation
to give praise that is not warranted. When correction is necessary,
a Positive Coach communicates criticism to players in ways that don't
undermine their sense of self-worth. A Positive Coach strives to achieve
a 5:1 "Plus/Minus Ratio" of praise to correction, recognizing
that this allows players to better hear criticisms.
A Positive Coach establishes order and maintains discipline
in a positive manner. She listens to players and involves them in decisions
that affect the team. She works to remain positive even when things
aren't going well. She recognizes that it is often when things go wrong
that a coach can have the most lasting impact and teach the most important
lessons. Even in adversity, she refuses to demean herself, her players,
or the environment. She always treats athletes with respect regardless
of how well they perform.
3) Honors the Game
A Positive Coach feels an obligation to his sport. He understands that
Honoring the Game means getting to the ROOTS of the matter, where ROOTS
stands for respect for:
-
Rules
-
Opponents
-
Officials
-
Teammates, and one's
-
Self.
A Positive Coach teaches his players to Honor the Game. He loves his sport
and upholds the spirit, as well as the letter, of its rules. He respects
opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his athletes to
do their best. He understands the important role that officials play and
shows them respect, even when he disagrees with their calls. He encourages
players to make a commitment to each other, and to encourage one another
on and off the field. He values the rich tradition of his sport and feels
privileged to participate. A Positive Coach demonstrates integrity and
would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game.
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