Parents and Coaches Together (PACT)
MYSA and the University of Notre Dame
Minnesota Youth Soccer Association athletes report the following experiences:
- 34% Have been yelled at or teased by a fan.
- 15% Report their parents get angry when they play poorly.
- 59% Report willingness to injure an opponent in order to win.
- 77% Have report hurting an opponent in order to win.
MYSA and the University of Notre Dame recognize that a few coaches and parents may be affecting a large majority of our athletes. We need all coaches and parents to be part of the effort in changing the youth soccer environment in Minnesota!
Currently over 18 million children in the United States under the age of 18 play soccer. More than 75,000 youth play soccer in MYSA programming. Despite these impressive statistics, research shows that by age 13, 70% of children drop out of organized youth sport, and participation trends in soccer are no exception.
Young athletes participate in sports because it is fun, and they learn new skills, make friends, improve fitness and enjoy the competition. Coaches and parents create a climate that influences young athletes’ sport enjoyment and participation. Adults are a critical part in ensuring youth continue to play soccer and more importantly enjoy soccer.
MYSA has conducted more than nine PACT Coach training sessions over the first year of the program. Prior to conducting training sessions, MYSA and the University of Notre Dame have been surveying the MYSA membership to measure attitudes and opinions of players, parents and coaches regarding sideline behavior. The good news, according to Nicole LaVoi, Sports Psychologist and member of the University of Notre Dames’ team at the Center for Ethics in Education, is “an overwhelming majority of athletes, coaches and parents report positive experiences within Minnesota Youth Soccer Association.” This is encouraging, but we know that we can do better because athletes report a greater frequency of perceived yelling at teammates (42%) and referees (35%), than did parents who reported yelling at players (9%) and referees (9%). Coaches self reported yelling at players (8%) and referees (20%), which is a rate far less than perceived by their players.
Research has shown that improved sideline behavior is directly related to player’s performance. Minnesota athletes reported the predominant factor in coaches creating a toxic climate for them currently is the emphasis on outperforming teammates, and the coach favoring some athletes over others. The PACT training is designed to help coaches explore ways of intrinsically motivating players to be the best players they can be.
At BAC we use the Positive Coaching Alliance program.
About PACT.
What is the #1 Influence on Poor Sport Behavior of Youth Athletes?
Key Questions All Soccer Parents Should Ask Themselves.
How do Coaches Keep Youth Athletes Playing Soccer?
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