Welcome to AYSO Region
253
Serving the communities of Bentley, Halstead, Kechi, North Wichita,
Park City, Sedgwick, Valley Center and Whitewater.
What Kind of Soccer Coach Are You?
Do you ever wonder how to evaluate yourself and your
coaching
style?
This test - provided by the National
Institute for Child Centred Coaching -
should give you some idea if you are a traditional, PE teacher type of
coach, a child centered facilitator or somewhere in-between.
Make
a note of the response that best reflects your thoughts about each
statement. Don't think about it too long, it's your first, instinctive
response that gives the best indication.
1. The major reason children should be involved in sports is
for fun, not winning.
·
A. No. Winning is important to young children and older children.
·
B. Sort of. Winning is important but not necessary.
·
C. Yes. Enjoyment is the key; winning is only secondary.
2. It is
important for children to learn how to compete at an early
age.
·
A. Yes. They stand a better chance of being successful later in
life.
·
B. Sort of. Competition is important, but it shouldn't be the basis for
playing sports for young children.
·
C. No. The earlier young children learn to be competitive, the less
enjoyment they might have playing.
3. A good,
strong self-image can be developed in young children with a no-nonsense
approach to coaching.
·
A. Yes. They need to be told "who is the boss" and to follow the
rules.
·
B. Sort of. Children need to be managed with a firm yet reasonable
approach.
·
C. No. Children need to be encouraged to try their
best.
4. Praising a
child's ability is OK, but a coach shouldn't overdo it.
·
A. Yes. If praised too often, they'll develop a false sense of their
abilities.
·
B. Sort of. Children need to be told accurately and honestly about their
weaknesses.
·
C. No. If it's honest praise, there is no such thing as "overdoing
it."
5. Children who
develop too high of a sense of self-esteem grow up being
spoiled.
·
A. Take any one of those high-priced superstars in today's sports, and
you'll see what a spoiled child is like.
·
B. A child must be taught humility; a child with high self-esteem often
acts conceited.
·
C. Children with high self-esteem often make the best
players.
6. Most parents
want their young children to win -- not necessarily to have
fun.
·
A. Agree.
·
B. Some do, but not all.
·
C. Parents need to be educated.
7. Disciplining
a child in front of the team sets an example for the
others.
·
A. Other children learn to do the right thing really
fast.
·
B. Peer pressure is the most effective form of team
discipline.
·
C. Disciplining a child is a private issue between the coach and
child.
8. Team rules
should be set by the coach and given to the players.
·
A. A coach needs to show who's in charge; children need to respect
authority.
·
B. A coach needs to demonstrate leadership; children need to
comply.
·
C. A coach needs to provide guidance; children should be
empowered.
9. The coach
sometimes acts like a teacher; sometimes like a parent.
·
A. A coach should not be confused with a parent or teacher; a coach is a
coach.
·
B. A coach might sometimes take on the role of a teacher or a parent but
should remain first a coach.
·
C. A coach is at times a parent and a teacher.
10. A parent's
role in children's sports should be:
·
A. To be mildly involved.
·
B. To be moderately involved.
·
C. To be involved to the maximum level.
To score your
responses, give each "A" response 1 point; each "B" response 2 points;
each "C" response 3 points. If you totaled:
10-16
points. Attitudes of traditional coaching: Believes winning is the
primary reason for playing sports; takes a hard line in discipline; uses
an autocratic approach to coaching; finds little value for parental
involvement. Need a lot more instruction in child-centered coaching
philosophy and techniques.
17-23 points. Tendency toward
leadership, not autocratic rule; problem solving, not ruling; motivating,
not commanding. Needs continued study and practice in child-centered
coaching philosophy.
24-30 points. Believes in making the
game fun; is willing to be both a parent figure and teacher; offers
guidance, encouragement and support and maximizes parental involvement.
Needs to continue practicing skills.
Last Updated 8/21/2007
