The Case for Cultivating Intrinsic Motivation: Strategies for Putting the FUN Back Into Youth Sports. Kelly WitteLynda Butler-Storsved University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterElon University

National Standards for Sport Coaches Domain 1 – Philosophy and Ethics Safety, development, and well-being of athlete Model & teach appropriate behavior Domain 4 – Growth and Development Create effective learning environments Modify practice and competitive toward competition readiness Domain 5 – Teaching and Communication Positive learning environment appropriate to athletes

Youth Sports Culture Good News

Participation 40 million participants in youth sports: Up to age 18 participate in various sports at all levels The Center for Kids First in Sport, 2011 Health benefits Lifetime skills Team work Problem-Solving Overcome challenges, etc.

Youth Sports Culture Bad News

Youth Sports Culture 80% drop out by age 12 Indiana University Media Relations (2006) Fewer than 1% college scholarship 73% drop out by age 13 National Center for Educational Statistics (2010) i9 Sports independent survey (2012) 84% ages 8-12 quit or wanted to quit 84% wish they had more FUN

Youth Sports Culture Coaching Education Hyper organized All consuming Often expensive Hyper competitive

Winning > the experience Display of comradeship with an opponent is a sign of weakness. Laughter is judged as a lack of competitiveness. Teach strategies to take unfair advantage of an opponent. Children coaxed to cheat, intimidate. Winning supersedes friendship, respect, self-worth. Etc.

Cultivate, Elicit, & Sustain IM IM is taking part in an activity for the pleasure and sense of fulfillment one receives from the activity itself (Ryan & Deci, 2000) Research.... Positive and information-based feedback Training & Instruction, democratic Inclusive member worth Intrinsic goal framing / increased persistence Process vs. outcomes Feeling successful

What People are Doing National Alliance for Youth Sports Start Smart Educated Sport Parent Positive Coaching Alliance Competitive Engineering BeLikeCoach

National Alliance for Youth Sports Development of Recommendations for Communities Trained administrators Parent orientation and training for parent coaches Hold everyone accountable for behavior National Standards for Youth Sports – 9 Standards Standard 1: Quality Sports Environment Standard 2: Fun & a portion of Child’s Life Standard 3: Training & Accountability Standard 5: Parent’s Commitment Certification programs for league administrators, volunteer coaches, and officials Sportsmanship training program for parents Start Smart Sports Development Programs Recreation Agencies Programs Parent/Guardian Programs Website link

The Educated Sports Parent Provides information to league administration, coaches, and parents Sampling of information includes What kids want out of sports as opposed to what adults want Whether awards should be given or not Health and training information Role of the parent Program modifications that should be utilized General modifications Sport specific for basketball, baseball, football, hockey, and soccer Website link

The Positive Coaching Alliance Mission is to provide all youths and high school athletes a positive, character-building youths sports experience. Provides resources for Coaches Tools for working with parents and athletes Talking Points free subscription Online “Ask PCA: Expert Advice” Online courses and books for purchase Parents Tools for relationship with coach and child Online course and books for purchase Athletes Tools for becoming a Triple-Impact Competitor and others Online course and book for purchase Leaders Officials Website link

Competitive Engineering Engagement Goals Based on Coakley’s “sandlot” principles Increase action and scoring Keep scores close Create extensive personal involvement Promote positive social relationships

CE intended outcomes Increase intrinsic motivation Enhance skill development Increase perceived competence Maximize fun & enjoyment Attract athletes Minimize burnout & attrition

CE Research Enhance action & scoring / personal involvement 39% attrition 4 th grade flag-football Modifications 3 second delay for defense to rush passer Use junior size football Results Scoring increased by over 100% Attrition rate dropped to 16.7% 10% growth in new 4 th graders  QuickStart tennis (42%)

Pyramid of Teaching Success in Sport Self-Improvement vs. comparisons Greater satisfaction Higher self-esteem Improved relationships Lowering dropout rates 4 C’s of athlete development Competence, confidence, connection, character

PofTSS - Foundation Love Dedication to each athlete Friendship, loyalty, & cooperation Sets the stage for collaboration Balance Alignment what thinks, says, & does

2 nd Tier, Coaches Learning Community Industriousness Careful planning Curiosity Know the why, not just how Resourcefulness Self-examination

3 rd Tier, Heart of the Pyramid Core elements of effective teaching Pedagogical knowledge Comprehensible content for mastery learning Subject knowledge Learning the rules, or playing first base Conditioning Physical, mental, emotional Social & moral endurance Role models

4 th Tier, Courage & Commitment Defend principles Maintain standards All athetes

Resources Anderson, K. (2010). A QuickStart tennis study. Coaching & Sport Science Review, 5(1), Amorose, A. J. & Horn, T. S. (2000). Intrinsic Motivation: relationships with collegiate athletes’s gender, scholarship status, and perceptions of their coaches’ behavior. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 22,

Resources Burton D., Gillham A.., & Hammermeister J. (2011). Competitive engineering: Structural climate modifications to enhance youth athletes’ competitive excellence. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 6(2), pp doi: / Burton D., O’Connell K., Gillham A.., & Hammermeister J. (2011). More cheers and fewer tears: Examining the impact of competitive engineering on scoring and attrition in youth flag football. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 6(2), pp doi: / Gilbert, W., Nater, S., Siwik, M., & Gallimore, R. (2010). The pyramid of teaching success in sport: Lessons from applied science and effective coaches. Sport Psychology in Action, 1(2), doi: / Ryan, R.M. and Deci, E.L. (2000). Self determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development and well being. American Psychologist, 55, 68-78

Resources Vansteenkiste, M., Simons, J., Soenens, B., & Lens, W. (2004). How to become a persevering exerciser? The importance of providing a clear, future intrinsic goal in an autonomy-supportive manner. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 26, 232–249.