Sports Abuse Clinic
Putting Priorities of Coaching in Perspective
1. Fun
2. Development of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and mental skills.
3 . How important is winning?
Coaching Definitions
Autocrat:(a) Favoring or requiring complete obedience to authority. (b) Exercising control over the will of others.
Cooperative: Working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit.
Observant: To watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgement.
Permissive: (a) leniency (b) not asserting authority
Take some time to think about and reflect on the following questions:
Who was your best coach?
What made him or her such a great coach?
What was your worst coaching experience? Why?
Autocrat:(a) Favoring or requiring complete obedience to authority. (b) Exercising control over the will of others.
Cooperative: Working or acting together for a common purpose or benefit.
Observant: To watch carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgement.
Permissive: (a) leniency (b) not asserting authority
Take some time to think about and reflect on the following questions:
Who was your best coach?
What made him or her such a great coach?
What was your worst coaching experience? Why?
Sports Behavior Code of Ethics1. Citizenship Values
2. Competitive Integrity 3. Respect for Opponents and Officials 4. Fair Play 5. Understanding of the Rules 6. Appreciation for all Performances 7. Gracious Acceptance of Rules 8. High Moral Character  |
Actions Speak Louder Than Words...
"Communication is the most important influence on the
relationships people have with each other." -Virginia Satir  |
Types of Communication
1.) Verbal Communication
-Verbal communication are the actual words that we use to communicate. Approximately 45% of the messages received by your
athletes are from verbal communication. However, it is believed that about 38% of those messages are communicated through tone
of voice and only about 7% of the message is taken from the actual words spoken.
-Verbal communication can be positive, negative, or instructional which may have a positive or negative influence depending on the
specific athlete or scenario.
2.) Non-verbal Communication
-Non-verbal communication is believed to make up approximately 55% of all messages received. These messages can be transmitted
through body language, behaviors, attitude, attention, eye contact or lack there of, etc.
-As majority of the messages received by your athletes is through non-verbal communication, it is imperative that you be self aware. Be
sure that the messages you are sending your athletes is what you consciously want to communicate. Often times what you are saying
does not match up with your non-verbal cues.
1.) Verbal Communication
-Verbal communication are the actual words that we use to communicate. Approximately 45% of the messages received by your
athletes are from verbal communication. However, it is believed that about 38% of those messages are communicated through tone
of voice and only about 7% of the message is taken from the actual words spoken.
-Verbal communication can be positive, negative, or instructional which may have a positive or negative influence depending on the
specific athlete or scenario.
2.) Non-verbal Communication
-Non-verbal communication is believed to make up approximately 55% of all messages received. These messages can be transmitted
through body language, behaviors, attitude, attention, eye contact or lack there of, etc.
-As majority of the messages received by your athletes is through non-verbal communication, it is imperative that you be self aware. Be
sure that the messages you are sending your athletes is what you consciously want to communicate. Often times what you are saying
does not match up with your non-verbal cues.
Six Essentials of Communication
1. Use non-verbals wisely.
2. Be a good listener.
3. Provide positive feedback with clear instruction.
4. Be credible.
5. Emphasize positive reinforcement.
6. Be consistent.
Please put these essentials of communication in order according to the most important to the least important. Then think of why you put them in this particular order.
Gender Differences
Coaching Males:
-Focus more on the individual
-Encouragement is not always necessary -More action and activity between coach and players -Longer training sessions -Intense motivation techniques work well  |
Coaching Females:
-Focus more on the relational aspect
-Encouragement is essential -Mutual interaction between coach and players -Person-oriented, democratic approach works best -Shorter training sessions  |
Coaching with Gender Differences:
It is important to note that while athletes of both genders can be equally successful, there are differences in approach and coaching style that need to be attended to for optimal performance as well as sport enjoyment from each athlete.
1.) Research has demonstrated that generally male athletes naturally feel more competent and are more extrinsically motivated. Males
demonstrate more natural self confidence than females.
2.) Females have demonstrated less natural self confidence than males, but are more intrinsically motivated and continue in sport more for the pleasure of participation.
-This means that it is especially important to be positive, encouraging and supportive when coaching females. Give praise with clear,
constructive criticism.
-With any gender it is important to pay attention to each individual’s personality characteristics and learn what motivates them as
an individual. There is no generic method to coaching.
1.) Research has demonstrated that generally male athletes naturally feel more competent and are more extrinsically motivated. Males
demonstrate more natural self confidence than females.
2.) Females have demonstrated less natural self confidence than males, but are more intrinsically motivated and continue in sport more for the pleasure of participation.
-This means that it is especially important to be positive, encouraging and supportive when coaching females. Give praise with clear,
constructive criticism.
-With any gender it is important to pay attention to each individual’s personality characteristics and learn what motivates them as
an individual. There is no generic method to coaching.
Reinforcement
There are two types of reinforcement
1. Positive
|
2. Negative |
If you focus on these reinforcements you should expand on praise, criticism, and feedback.
Discipline
Discipline(a) Instruction
(b) Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character (c) Punishment (d) Control gained by enforcing obedience or order (e) Orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior (f) Self-control (g) A rule or system of rules governing conduct or activity |
Five (5) F's of Discipline1. Fast
2. Firm 3. Fair 4. Forgiving 5. Quick to Forget |
Pressures Facing Athletes
Some school-age athletes face unique pressures involving nutrition and body weight. In sports such as football, kids may feel they need to radically increase body weight. In other sports such as wrestling, kids often try to achieve maximum strength at the lowest possible weight, which can lead to crash dieting and other harmful eating habits.
In either case, your best bet is to emphasize performance. Healthy eating supports healthy performance. Unhealthy eating leads to lower strength and endurance and poor mental concentration. Consider the example of wrestling. To qualify for the lowest possible weight class, wrestlers sometimes try to spit, vomit, or sweat enough water from their bodies to make the weight.
"They think they can do without the water," Donze says, "but muscles are 75% water. Without water, muscles lose much of their
effectiveness."
Similar performance issues arise when kids try to increase their weight too fast. When a person overeats, the food the body cannot immediately use gets stored as fat. As a result, kids who overeat may gain weight, but their physical fitness will be diminished.
In either case, your best bet is to emphasize performance. Healthy eating supports healthy performance. Unhealthy eating leads to lower strength and endurance and poor mental concentration. Consider the example of wrestling. To qualify for the lowest possible weight class, wrestlers sometimes try to spit, vomit, or sweat enough water from their bodies to make the weight.
"They think they can do without the water," Donze says, "but muscles are 75% water. Without water, muscles lose much of their
effectiveness."
Similar performance issues arise when kids try to increase their weight too fast. When a person overeats, the food the body cannot immediately use gets stored as fat. As a result, kids who overeat may gain weight, but their physical fitness will be diminished.
Sports Abuse
"Child abuse" and "Sports" are not words often heard together. Is child maltreatment or violence that much of a problem in youth sports?
Some Facts on Sports Abuse
A major barrier in solving the problem of abuse is that many coaches are not clear what behavior constitute maltreatment or abuse. Most recognize that behaviors once considered by many to be acceptable are now considered to be racist, sexist, harassing, or abusive. No wonder coaches are confused about not only what not to do, but what can we do. When the people who should be guiding young athletes are instead emotionally, physically or sexually abusive, it becomes a hostile, destructive environment that erodes self-esteem, confidence and trust.
While we have little factual data how often abuse occurs in youth sports, some are beginning to realize the importance of the issue.
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC) conducted a survey in 1993 and found the following incidence of abuse in sports in
Minnesota:
• 45.3% of males and females surveyed said they had been called names, yelled at or insulted while participating in sports.
• 17.5% of people surveyed said they had been hit, kicked or slapped while participating in sports.
• 21% said they had been pressured to play with an injury, while 8.2% said they have been pressured to intentionally harm
others while playing sports.
• 3.4% said they have been pressured into sex or sexual touching, while 8% of all surveyed said they have been called names
with sexual connotations while participating in sports.
While we have little factual data how often abuse occurs in youth sports, some are beginning to realize the importance of the issue.
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC) conducted a survey in 1993 and found the following incidence of abuse in sports in
Minnesota:
• 45.3% of males and females surveyed said they had been called names, yelled at or insulted while participating in sports.
• 17.5% of people surveyed said they had been hit, kicked or slapped while participating in sports.
• 21% said they had been pressured to play with an injury, while 8.2% said they have been pressured to intentionally harm
others while playing sports.
• 3.4% said they have been pressured into sex or sexual touching, while 8% of all surveyed said they have been called names
with sexual connotations while participating in sports.
What Coaches Can Do to Prevent Sports Abuse
-Treat all athletes with respect
-Keep the reason for the game in perspective
-Use appropriate discipline
-Take injuries seriously
-Replace put downs with instructions
-Motivate with praise
-Do not accept abusive behaviors by others
-Keep the reason for the game in perspective
-Use appropriate discipline
-Take injuries seriously
-Replace put downs with instructions
-Motivate with praise
-Do not accept abusive behaviors by others
The Buddy System
Purpose: To minimize the risk for any impropriety, alleged or other, on the part of a coach with a student-athlete. Built-in safety feature to avoid accusations.
What it is: A coach makes it part of his/her mission statement, contract with the student and agreement with the administration and the parents that he/she will not be alone in any situation with the athlete whether a male or female under any circumstance if at all possible.
What it is: A coach makes it part of his/her mission statement, contract with the student and agreement with the administration and the parents that he/she will not be alone in any situation with the athlete whether a male or female under any circumstance if at all possible.
Ways for Coaches to Reduce Stress
• Physical exercise – develop an exercise routine that is aerobic and fun. Stick to it more religiously when under high stress. This
does more to reduce acute stress.
• Eat regular nutritional meals. Eat as though you are in training. Mealtimes should be as stress-free as possible.
• Your diet should include vitamin and mineral-rich foods –your body uses up its B vitamins, C vitamins and calcium during stress.
• Post notes to your-self – the memory is affected by stress, so write reminders to your-self. When making appointments, write
where they are and directions to them in your appointment book.
• Prepare for morning the night before – put things you need to take with you by the door. Decide what you’re going to wear and
be sure it’s ready.
• Get up 15 minutes early – this give you time for unforeseen things.
• Anticipate your needs – stop for gas before you really need it. Keep cash and coins on hand.
• Allow extra time to get where you need to go – this way, if there are traffic delays you will not increase your stress. As always be
early and you’ll never be late!
• Walk everywhere you can – it’s good exercise and it give you the opportunity to smell the flowers.
• Schedule quiet times – especially just before bed and first thing in the morning. In additional, some quiet time during the day
may be helpful.
• Keep your sense of humor – seeing the humor in a situation will help keep your stress low.
• Relax your standards – you don’t have to do everything perfect (winning isn’t everything!)
• Find a serene place of your own – even if it’s just a comfortable chair in a corner.
• Change your perspective – ask yourself what does this all matter in the march of the universe.
• Take advantage of your body rhythms – schedule your most difficult tasks for your peak hours and less difficult tasks for other
times.
• Have fun – we can’t be serious all of the time.
• Say “no” more often – you need to pick the activities on which you want to spend you life energy.
• Reward yourself after stressful activities – relax with a book, listen to music, have a special lunch, or take a long, leisurely bath.
• Spend time with others – preferably with others not involved in your work.
• Keep a journal – writing down inner thoughts is a way of release, as well as providing a journal for later contemplation
• Get plenty of rest –schedule extra sleep time during times of stress. When you can’t sleep, get up and do something
non-stimulating.
• Don’t make big life changes – stressful times are not the time to change everything.
• Keep schedules as normal as possible – the semblance of routine helps.
• Don’t give yourself negative labels – you are not “losing it,” you are reacting to stress in a normal way.
does more to reduce acute stress.
• Eat regular nutritional meals. Eat as though you are in training. Mealtimes should be as stress-free as possible.
• Your diet should include vitamin and mineral-rich foods –your body uses up its B vitamins, C vitamins and calcium during stress.
• Post notes to your-self – the memory is affected by stress, so write reminders to your-self. When making appointments, write
where they are and directions to them in your appointment book.
• Prepare for morning the night before – put things you need to take with you by the door. Decide what you’re going to wear and
be sure it’s ready.
• Get up 15 minutes early – this give you time for unforeseen things.
• Anticipate your needs – stop for gas before you really need it. Keep cash and coins on hand.
• Allow extra time to get where you need to go – this way, if there are traffic delays you will not increase your stress. As always be
early and you’ll never be late!
• Walk everywhere you can – it’s good exercise and it give you the opportunity to smell the flowers.
• Schedule quiet times – especially just before bed and first thing in the morning. In additional, some quiet time during the day
may be helpful.
• Keep your sense of humor – seeing the humor in a situation will help keep your stress low.
• Relax your standards – you don’t have to do everything perfect (winning isn’t everything!)
• Find a serene place of your own – even if it’s just a comfortable chair in a corner.
• Change your perspective – ask yourself what does this all matter in the march of the universe.
• Take advantage of your body rhythms – schedule your most difficult tasks for your peak hours and less difficult tasks for other
times.
• Have fun – we can’t be serious all of the time.
• Say “no” more often – you need to pick the activities on which you want to spend you life energy.
• Reward yourself after stressful activities – relax with a book, listen to music, have a special lunch, or take a long, leisurely bath.
• Spend time with others – preferably with others not involved in your work.
• Keep a journal – writing down inner thoughts is a way of release, as well as providing a journal for later contemplation
• Get plenty of rest –schedule extra sleep time during times of stress. When you can’t sleep, get up and do something
non-stimulating.
• Don’t make big life changes – stressful times are not the time to change everything.
• Keep schedules as normal as possible – the semblance of routine helps.
• Don’t give yourself negative labels – you are not “losing it,” you are reacting to stress in a normal way.
Ready to take the test?
Please read the instructions below.
Please read the instructions below.
You are about to take take a test to be certified through the Positive Sport Coaching Program.
While taking this test:
-If an error occurs use the "back" or "refresh" button to allow for the questions to proceed.
-The password for the test is Sports Abuse
-You must answer each question, even if it may not be correct. Don't worry, you are able to take it twice.
-An e-mail will be sent to you with upon passing and a certificate of completion
-Good luck and enjoy gaining knowledge on how you can be a Positive Sport Coach!
While taking this test:
-If an error occurs use the "back" or "refresh" button to allow for the questions to proceed.
-The password for the test is Sports Abuse
-You must answer each question, even if it may not be correct. Don't worry, you are able to take it twice.
-An e-mail will be sent to you with upon passing and a certificate of completion
-Good luck and enjoy gaining knowledge on how you can be a Positive Sport Coach!
