Our Role in Creating Great Youth Sport Programs Rick Albrecht, Ph.D. Professor of Movement Science and Sport Leadership Grand Valley State University

Learning Objectives Upon completion of this session, you will be able to: Recognize the motivational and developmental benefits of involving even young athletes in their team’s decision- making process Evaluate the motivational advantages of emphasizing “performance” as opposed to the “outcome of performance” Recognize the need for coaches and sport administrators to “motivate themselves first” before attempting to motivate others Understand the seven “keys” to becoming a “true leader”

Central Theme: MOTIVATION! Motivation is the “Lynchpin” of Life “something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together” Let’s face it, “LOVE” doesn’t make the world go ‘round… MOTIVATION does!

First Things First…   What is a “Coach?”   Where Does This Term Originate?   Hint: We Are ALL “Coaches!”

The very first ‘COACHES’ transported people from “where they were” to “where they wanted or needed to go.”

We still use ‘COACHES’ to help us get from “where we are” to “where we want to go.”

But there’s another type of ‘COACH’ involved in helping kids get from where they are to where they need to go – US!

Two Types of Coaches and Leaders (Which Do You and Your Staff Want To Be?) Transactional Coaches and Leaders “How can you help me?” Transformational Coaches and Leaders “How can I help you?”

How Many of You Are Involved in Programs or Teams That… Allow the “Recruiting” of Players? Engage in the “Drafting” of Players? Have Team “Tryouts” and “Cuts”? Have No Rules Requiring Minimum Participation for Everyone? These are typically characteristics of “Transactional” Programs (and Coaches)

Help Me Get to Know You… How many of you are (or ever have been) coaches? How long have you been (or were you) a coach? What did you coach during that time?

Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K of Duke) Reminds Us of Our Transformative Role as Sport Leaders and Coaches “Remember, you aren’t coaching Xs and Os – you’re coaching people (kids).” Like the old saying says… It’s not the Xs and Os… It’s the Jimmys It’s the Jimmys and the Joes

Penn State’s Head Football Coach James Franklin… “I’m a relationship guy. You guys are going to ask me what our offensive philosophy is, and what our defensive philosophy is, and what our special team’s philosophy is… I really don’t care. To me it’s about people. I love kids. You’re not going to find a coach who cares more about their players than me.”

Yet a Final Reminder of Our Transformative Role as a Coach… -- Ed Thomas, Aplington-Parkersburg H.S. (Iowa)

Performance Motivation

The Secret to Motivating Others: MOTIVATE YOURSELF FIRST!   If you can’t even motivate yourself – how do you expect to motivate someone else?   Motivation is contagious – your athletes will take their cues from you!   Step #1: Develop a TGIM attitude!   If you don’t really love what you’re doing… do everyone (including yourself) a big favor and go do something you love.

We Can Increase our Athletes’ Motivation Levels by Involving Them in Team Decision-Making   The team belongs to our athletes – not us   “Structured Choices” will allow even young children a chance to learn and practice the important skills of making decisions and accepting responsibility   When athletes have a say in determining what’s important – they work harder and longer (that’s MOTIVATION!)

We Can Increase Our Athletes’ Motivation Levels by Helping Them Set Effective Goals   Neither you – nor anyone in your program – can control the outcomes. So why worry about those things you can’t control?   Help your athletes set goals in areas under their control – performance, effort, and attitude – not “outcomes of performance” (like winning)

If We Help Our Athletes Focus on Improving Their Performance (Not on Beating Others) They Will… Enjoy their sport more Put forth greater effort Attend practice more often Feel more competent and confident Persevere in the face of obstacles Believe that effort is the key to success Perform at a higher level

Embrace Your Athletes’ Mistakes: These Are the ‘Raw Materials’ of Improvement   Punishment only works in the short-term and usually causes more harm than good   Wastes valuable practice time   Discourages and demotivates   Reduces risk taking and induces fear of failure   Damages self-confidence   Doesn’t really address the issue   Sets bad example (they’ll follow your lead)

Too Many of Us Use the Absolute “Worst” Form of Punishment   NEVER use physical activity (running, push-ups, sit-ups, “down-ups,” running bleachers, etc.) as punishment…   Has all the drawbacks of any form of punishment   Our job is to PROMOTE – physical activity for a lifetime – not make our athletes learn to HATE it forever   Do you really want to make them hate physical activity so much they’ll do anything to avoid it?

Don’t Try to Fool Yourself (or Others) There is a HUGE difference between PUNISHMENT and CONDITIONING

Leaders Eat Last

Acknowledgement This segment of the presentation was largely inspired by two books written by Simon Sinek: “Leaders Eat Last” and “Start with Why”

7 Keys to Becoming a “True Leader” If you want to be “the boss”… you’ll never be the “Leader” There are “Leaders” and there are… “Those who Lead” Those who Lead need followers… Why would anyone want to follow you? Those who Lead give direction… NOT DIRECTIONS

7 Keys to Becoming a “True Leader” Those who Lead rarely have the answers… But they always know who does True Leadership doesn’t come from what’s “in your head”… It comes from what’s “in your heart” “What you do” and “How you do it” are, of course, very important… But “WHY you do it” is the most important of all

If You Want to be the “Boss”… You’ll Never be the “Leader”

There Are “Leaders” and There Are… “Those Who Lead” Leaders:   Those who derive their authority from their rank, position, or title   We follow them because we are simply “forced to follow” – even when they lead us over a cliff

There Are “Leaders” and There Are… “Those Who Lead” Those Who Lead:   Don’t derive their authority from their formal title, rank, or position   Even if they don’t get the promotion or appointment, they continue to lead anyway   We follow “those who lead”– not because we “have to” but because we “want to”   We trust them and believe in them (loyalty)

“Those Who Lead" Need Followers… Why Would Anyone Follow You? Only Two Ways You Can Influence Other Peoples’ Behavior… Manipulation or Inspiration Don’t PUSH your followers… PULL them

“Those Who Lead” Provide Direction… Not DIRECTIONS

“Those who Lead” Don’t Always Have the Answers… But They Always Know Who Does Management by “Walking Around” (MBWA)

Becoming an “Invisible” Leader The wicked leader is he who the people despise. The good leader is he who the people revere. The GREAT leader is he who the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ - Lao-Tzu

True Leadership Doesn’t Come From “What’s in Your Head”… It Comes from “What’s in Your Heart” Leadership is all about “people building” Our success is only 15% “technical knowledge” but 85% “attitude” and “people skills” The degree to which we are successful as a leader is only a function of how much we help others

“WHAT You Do” and “HOW You Do it” Might Keep You Awake at Night but.. “WHY You Do it” Gets You Up Every Morning

“What You Do” and “How You Do it” Are, of Course, Very Important… But “WHY” You Do it Comes First The “Golden Circle” Why How What

Some Parting Thoughts on How You Know You’ve Become a “True Leader”… If your actions inspire others to dream more… learn more… do more.. and become more… You are a leader -- Simon Sinek

Some Parting Thoughts on How You Know You’ve Become a “True Leader”… From Good to Better to Best, Never Let it Rest, Until the Good is the Better and the Better is the Best -- John Furphy

If you have any questions or comments regarding this presentation, please contact: Rick Albrecht, Ph.D. Professor of Movement Science and Sport Leadership Grand Valley State University

References Albrecht, R. (2013). Coaching myths: Fifteen wrong ideas in youth sports. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, Inc. Halden-Brown, S. (2003). Mistakes worth making: How to turn sports errors into athletic excellence. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Martens, R. (2012). Successful coaching. 4 th ed. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Martens, R., & Seefeldt, V. (1979). Guidelines for children’s sports. Washington, D.C.: American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance. National Association for Sport and Physical Education (2006). National standards for sport coaches: Quality coaches, quality sports. Reston, VA: Author. Sinek, S. (2009). Start with Why: How great leaders inspire everyone to take action. New York: Portfolio. Sinek, S. (2014). Leaders eat last: Why some teams pull together and others don’t. New York: Portfolio. Smith, R.E., & Smoll, F.L. (2012). Sport psychology for youth coaches: Developing champions in sports and life. New York: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.