Coaching Youth Livestock Projects Kyle Merten – Extension Associate

Objectives What defines a successful coach –Coaching philosophy and objectives –Coaching styles –Effective communication –Credibility with youth –Motivating youth –Teaching effectively Decision making activity and discussion Coaching Scenarios

What is Successful Coaching? Defined Coaching Philosophy and goals Understands various coaching styles Understands the importance of effective communication Gains credibility with youth Motivates youth Teaches effectively

Coaching Philosophy and Objectives Coaching philosophy provides a basis for a coach’s beliefs and priorities involving young people and their livestock projects. Coaching objectives help youth –be successful –have fun –develop physically, psychologically, and socially. Determine what is most important in the livestock project experience when developing objectives Coaching philosophy and objectives should center on the young person’s well-being. Primary focus should be to provide challenges and develop life skills and character traits in youths.

Success and Failure Success - the achievement of something desired, planned or attempted Failure - not achieving what you desire, plan or attempt Success and failure are not about winning and losing. Did the youth meet the goals in which they set for their project? How were those goals accomplished? REMEMBER setting goals should be based on things that can be controlled!

Competition Participating in livestock projects immerses young people in competition Teaches youth moral development Person committed to a cause while learning life lessons does not need to win a contest to be a winner Coach must communicate this message.

Coaching Styles Martens identifies the three most widely used coaching styles as Command, Submissive, and Cooperative Command: Coach makes all decisions related to livestock projects based on the assumption that he or she is knowledgeable in all aspects of the project. Youths must respond to the coach’s decisions and commands.

Submissive Submissive: Coach takes as little responsibility in the decision-making process as possible, giving little guidance, instruction, or direction to the youths.

Cooperative Cooperative: Decision making is shared between the coach and the youths. The coach values their input and recognizes that they cannot gain responsibility unless they are involved in a decision making process. At the same time, the coach is still the leader and should provide guidance and instruction during the decision-making process.

Coaching Styles Important for coaches to identify different coaching situations so proper coaching style can be used Success of coaching experience is greatly determined on how coach reacts to certain situations.

Communication Communication - sending and receiving messages, both verbally and nonverbally. –Divided into content and emotion –Content – overall message and expressed verbally –Emotion – affects the way an individual interprets the message 70 percent of communication takes place nonverbally. Must be able to send and receive messages –Most coaches good at sending but not receiving (listener)

Communication Most coaches are excellent senders of messages, but are not good at receiving them Active listening is an important aspect of being an effective communicator Martens provides reasons for ineffective communication –Content may be wrong for the situation –Message does not communicate what you intend because you lack the verbal or nonverbal skills needed to send the message –Youth does not receive message because he or she isn’t paying attention –Youth understands the message content but misinterprets its intent –Messages sent are inconsistent over time, leaving youth confused about what is meant

Credibility One of the most challenging but most important Three ways to gain credibility: –Being an active listener (passive and active) –Positive reinforcement –Realistic expectations Normal people only hear 20% of what others say

Motivation Make things fun Demonstrate and teach winning is not everything Stress importance of setting goals and working towards them Extrinsic motivation - motivation outside a person or the job at hand –Ex – ribbon, trophy, money, free time Intrinsic motivation – motivation comes from within a person through the job or activity at hand –Ex – recognition, achievement, challenge, development Successful coaches emphasize intrinsic motivation Self-fulfillng prophecy is detrimental to motivation

Effective Teaching Must know subject matter and be able to pass it on effectively. Be creative in teaching approaches Effective teaching involves: –Research – Must be up to date on all livestock trends, breed changes, validation processes and rules and regulations –Planning – develop long-term and short-term plans –Implementation – develop teaching style, understanding how youth learn, use hands-on- approach –Evaluation – Pre evaluation important to gain info on youth before and after for research and planning. Post evaluations important to see how much they have learned. Relay results to youth

Power of Influence Activity

Overview Review of the Six Pillars of Character What role youth have in Food Supply Continuum What defines a successful coach How does power and influence affect youth livestock projects How do different coaching styles affect youth livestock projects?

Final Thought Vince Lombardi once said, “A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.”