Soccer Club Blog                      Naperville, IL

Positive Coaching Alliance Recognition

Print the article

This entry was posted on 9/19/2006 12:48 PM and is filed under Leaders,White,League,Girls Team,Pythons,Cobras,Family,Clubwide,Red,Positive Coach Award,Policy.

You will no doubt see all kinds of parent behavior from on opposing teams.  Much will be enviable.  Some will not be so enviable.  Sadly some of the parents on our teams have not always thought long term with thier sideline behavior.  In the heat of the moment we have said or yelled things that did not honor the coaches, the players the referees and the Game.  I said "we" here but specifically I admit that I have often been guilty of this overly passionate behavior.  I have said things in the heat of the moment that I am not proud of.    
 
No, I was not one of those crazy soccer parents that made the network news but I was confused about what behavior helped our cause and what behavior was overly passionate.  The U10 coaches discussed options for parental guidelines and agreed to adopt those of the Positive Coaching Alliance or PCA.  I posted them buried on our website but more importantly we as your volunteer staff have tried to live by them.  I have to admit that these guidelines have helped me enjoy the game more.  Yes I had heard them before but they were too far in the back of my mind to be much use when my kid was lying injured on the field. 
 
I ask for your help in 4 ways. 
1. Take a few moments to go through the guidelines, the 1 min video and the PowerPoint attached.  (if you can not use these links below try: http://www.ChallengersSoccer.com/ChallengersPhilosophy.htm   This will help you bring these ideas back into focus.  As volunteer staff who work with the kids we strive to review this material regularly.  I enjoyed reviewing it this morning.  Don and I discuss these issues almost every week. 
 
2. Try to live these guidelines below at the future games.  We want our club to be know as a great club to play!  We want our kids to have fun and stay in love with this game!
 
3. Help us notice which parents and coaches live best within these guidelines especialy in the tough situations.  We want to recognize these people on our blog.  Feel free to post your Positive comments here
 
4. Help us privately and gently remind parents to "honor the game" and help us identify teams or clubs who PCA could help. In the past we have talked one on one with parents to tell them: "That is not the way we do things here."  We have even gone further to use the PCA's club referral program that is endorsed by our League.  In the past I have contacted specific other clubs and our area rep: Mike Steele mike@positivecoach.org 
 
Thank you for all you do to support us and your child; and thanks for focusing on remaining Positive!
 
Sincerely:
 
    Jim Ensign - Challengers Soccer Volunteer
    630-878-5680 cell   815-377-2380 efax
    jim@ensigns.us 
 
Positive Coaching Alliance program a big hit!

U10 coaches Jim Higgins and JD Hill were impressed by the Positive Coaching Alliance program they attended through NISL.  They recommended that we adopt the program ASAP as a basic vision for our club.  Even though Don McBride has taken it before he re-registered to brush up.  See more information by clicking the link above to see a 1 minute  PCA Video.  

 

Jim Ensign feels that a philosophical program is key to long term harmony between the teams.  JD and Jim H feel that this program is  worthwhile on it's own merits. Jim Higgins put together a slideshow in PowerPoint  -or in your browser.


Positive Coaching Association -  Parents Guidelines for Honoring the Game

The key to preventing adult misbehavior in youth sports is a youth sports culture in which all involved "Honor the Game." Honoring the Game gets to the ROOTS of the matter and involves respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and one's Self. You don't bend the rules to win. You understand that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play to your highest potential. You show respect for officials even when you disagree. You refuse to do anything that embarrasses your team. You live up to your own standards even if others don't. Here are ways that parents can create a positive youth sports culture so that children will have fun and learn positive character traits to last a lifetime.
 

Before the Game:

  1. Make a commitment to Honor the Game in action and language no matter what others may do.

  2. Tell your child before each game that you are proud of him or her regardless of how well he or she plays.

During the Game:

  1. Fill your children's "Emotional Tank" through praise and positive recognition so they can play their very best.

  2. Don't give instructions to your child during the game. Let the coach correct player mistakes.

  3. Cheer good plays by both teams (this is advanced behavior!)

  4. Mention good calls by the official to other parents.

  5. If an official makes a "bad" call against your team? Honor the Game—BE SILENT!

  6. If another parent on your team yells at an official? Gently remind him or her to Honor the Game.

  7. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment that you will regret after the game. Ask yourself, "Will this embarrass my child or the team?"

  8. Remember to have fun! Enjoy the game.

After the Game:

  1. Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for little or no pay.

  2. Thank the coaches for their commitment and effort.

  3. Don't give advice. Instead ask your child what he or she thought about the game and then LISTEN. Listening fills Emotional Tanks.

  4. Tell your child again that you are proud of him or her, whether the team won or lost.

 

 
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this entry
  • Trackbacks are closed for this entry.
Comments
    Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

    • 9/19/2006 1:11 PM Don McBride wrote:
      I second this. Well said Jim. I try to live it, but being human I do falter. When everyone helps each other, it is most effective. Please call Jim or I with questions anytime.
      Reply to this
    • 9/19/2006 2:08 PM Jim Ensign wrote:
      I think that the Red Team really appreciated having Craig process the final BOTMW game with the boys. It was a tough game and the boys were kind of down. Craig made a point to talk individually with the kids who were involved with the tough defense playes durring and after the game. It was a great example of how to keep things positive.

      Reading above I realized that we need to build the boys confidence by listening to them. After the game I hope to get in the habit of asking the boys "What went well and Why?" and then just listening. If we keep things focused on what went well and listening we can help the boys grown to be more effective communicators. I encourage other parents to try this in the car on the way home.
      Reply to this
    Leave a comment

     Enter the above security code (required)

     Name (required)

     Email (will not be published) (required)

     Website

    Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.



      
    Copyright 2006 http://BLOG2.CHALLENGERSSOCCER.COM. All rights reserved.