Positive Coaching

Today, SGB Media released an article stating that the NSGA (National Sporting Goods Administration) joined the PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) in promoting team sports for youth. This partnership was made for the intent to show the "NSGA's interest in increasing team sports participation and keeping youth participants active" (sgbonline.com).

The PCA is an association of coaches that promote what is called positive coaching. This coaching style is a theory-based approach to building a successful team while maintaining a high level of player-confidence. It is quite different from the traditional "chew 'em out" approach to coaching. Instead of imposing pressure and punishments, positive coaching builds the players from the inside-out with confidence and positive communication.

Phil Jackson coaching Michael Jordan (top) and Kobe Bryant (bottom).

Positive coaching is not only useful in coaching youth. Phil Jackson (one of the most successful and well-known coaches in basketball history) is a major advocate for positive coaching. Phil Jackson explains how the need to "couch" criticism in positive comments is a necessity for elevating the player's confidence. A segment of this interview is available here.

I hope to see more announcements of people advocating positive coaching in the future. The PCA is making headway in the sports community. This is sure to promote the effective and life-skill building style of coaching. After all, it is more than Just a Game.

The PCA had a spot in the Super Bowl too!

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