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You are the
most important person in our organization. You determine the kind
of experience our athletes have with sports. We are committed to the
principles of Positive Coaching. We expect our coaches to be
“Double-Goal Coaches” who in addition to wanting to win, more
importantly, want to help players learn “life lessons” and build
character through sports. The following is what we expect from you
during the coming season:
1.
Model and teach your players to Honor the Game.
Teach the elements of ROOTS—Respect for:
Rules,
Opponents,
Officials,
Teammates, and one’s
Self.
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Share with your players’ parents your desire for
them to Honor the Game.
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Drill Honoring the Game in practice.
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Seize teachable moments to talk with players
about Honoring the Game
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Appoint a parent to be “Culture Keeper” for the
team.
2.
Help players Redefine what it means to be
a “Winner” in terms of Mastery, not just Scoreboard:
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Teach players the ELM Tree of Mastery (Effort,
Learning,
and bouncing back from Mistakes.)
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Use a “Team Mistake Ritual” (like flushing
mistakes) to help players quickly rebound from mistakes.
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Reward effort, not just good outcomes. Look to
recognize players for unsuccessful effort.
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Encourage players to set “Effort Goals” that are
tied to how hard they try.
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Use Targeted Symbolic Rewards to reinforce
effort and team play.
3.
Fill your players’ Emotional Tanks.
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Use encouragement and positive reinforcement as
your primary method of motivating.
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Strive to achieve the 5:1 “Magic Ratio” of 5
positive reinforcements to each criticism/correction.
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Schedule “fun activities” for practices, so
players will enjoy our sport.
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Use the “Buddy System” to teach players to fill
each other’s Emotional Tanks.
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Develop “player coaches” by asking for player
input and asking rather than telling them what to do.
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Learn to give “Kid-Friendly Criticism” so
players will be able to hear it. Criticize in private, “Ask
Permission,” use the Criticism Sandwich, avoid giving criticism
in non-teachable moments.
4.
Have Conversations during Team Meetings with your
players at every practice and every game.
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Review Honoring the Game, the ELM Tree and the
Emotional Tank throughout the season.
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Remind players about these three concepts before
and after every game.
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Ask questions and encourage players to speak and
contribute during team meetings.
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Use the Winner’s Circle after a game to
reinforce the positive things players did.
Coaches, thank you for all your time and effort
Let’s have a
great season!
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