Double-Goal Coaching
I attended a fantastic positive coaching seminar last week for my son’s little league which can be widely applied. It was sponsored by the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) - positivecoach.org which is focused on double-goal coaching: winning and teaching life lessons.
Here are just a couple great takeaways:
1. Redefine Winner - Encourage players to meet “effort” goals which are tied to how hard they try.
2. Reward “Unsuccessful” Efforts - so players know you value the effort above all.
3. Flush/Park Mistakes - Fear of making mistakes can negatively impact performance. Flush(toilet)/Park mistakes and re-visit them as teachable moments after the game.
4. Fill the emotional tank - strive to achieve 5:1 ratio of positive reinforcements to criticism/corrections.
5. Use Kid-Friendly Criticism - asking a player if he/she is open to a suggestion makes the criticism easier to receive. Use If-Then statements (right from our own DVD).
6. Model and Teach a Positive Game -Include parents and children on conversations and life lessons. Email children and parents weekly newsletters and nominate a “culture keeper” (parent responsible for keeping other parents in line).
7. Behavioral problems - Reinforce the behavior you want. Ignore the behavior you don’t want. When you can’t ignore - Intervene in a “least attention” Manner.