A Coach’s Guide to Maximizing the Youth Sport Experience: Work Hard, Be Kind

This book guides sport coaches, parents and administrators in creating a caring and task-involving sport climate that helps athletes perform their best and have an enjoyable and meaningful sport experience. It introduces the concept of a caring and task-involving climate and provides a "how to" guide to creating this climate in sport. Firstly, this guide introduces the caring and task-involving climate and summarizes research highlighting its many benefits. Secondly, the five features of this climate are presented along with the reflective exercises for developing them within a team. Coaches will see strategies in action, sample conversations, and a variety of ways to implement the features of a caring and task-involving experience. By describing how it may be implemented and methods for overcoming possible challenges, this book finally highlights how parents and sport administrators can support the creation and preservation of caring and task-involving climates. By helping teams develop caring climates that optimize athletes’ sport experience and performance, this book is essential reading for coaches, sport administrators, parents, and sport psychology practitioners. It will also be of great interest to those who have minimal training in sport psychology, but who are involved in sport at many levels, such as youth and high school.

Table of Contents:
Preface PART I. Introduction A Caring and Task-Involving Climate: The Key to Maximizing Sport Performance and Experience The Many Benefits of Creating a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport PART II. Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport: Mutual Kindness and Respect is Fostered and Valued Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport: Effort and Improvement are Valued and Recognized Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport: Mistakes are Part of Learning Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport: Every Athlete Plays an Important Role on the Team Features of a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport: Cooperation Among Teammates is Fostered and Valued PART III. Special Considerations in Creating a Caring and Task-Involving Climate in Sport Planning for and Developing a Caring and Task-Involving Climate Throughout the Season Experiencing a Caring and Task-Involving Climate: Who Benefits Most? Overcoming the Challenges of Creating a Caring and Task-Involving Climate Making the Parent Role Fun and Rewarding by Creating a Caring and Task-Involving Climate The Role of Administrators in Creating a Caring and Task-Involving Climate PART IV. Conclusion Bringing It All Together Acknowledgements Index

About the Author :
Mary Fry is a professor of Sport Psychology and Director of the Sport and Exercise Psychology Lab at the University of Kansas, USA. Lori Gano-Overway is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at James Madison University, USA, and certified mental performance consultant. Marta Guivernau is an assistant professor in the Department of Foundations, Leadership and Administration at Kent State University, USA, and certified mental performance consultant. Mi-Sook Kim is a professor in the Department of Kinesiology at San Francisco State University, USA. Maria Newton is an associate professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Health, Kinesiology and Recreation at the University of Utah, USA.

Review :
"As a coach, this book is a roadmap that outlines what I aspire to be. The authors clearly demonstrate the value of creating a caring sports climate and provide excellent examples for achieving that aim. While underpinned by decades of research, the content is refreshingly accessible and keeps the focus exactly where it belongs – on youth athletes and enriching their experiences in sport. This book is at the front of my bookshelf and is required reading for coaching staff and parents." - Gabe Downey, Head Diving Coach, University of Kansas "Athletes today expect coaches to know them well enough to care and respect them. They also want to be involved in creating and implementing tactics and techniques in their sport. This book helps you meet their expectations. It provides theories, methods, and examples from coaches and players to do everything from interacting effectively with your athletes and involving them in a team where athletes care about and support each other. This is a go to source when looking for answers to coaching questions." - Jay Coakley, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado