Positive Coaching Alliance was founded by Jim Thompson in 1998 within the Stanford University Athletic Department after seeing a "win-at-all-cost" mentality in youth sports while coaching his son's baseball team. Positive Coaching Alliance was created with the mission to "transform youth sports so sports can transform youth."

PCA developed "The Positive Coaching Mental Model," a research summary based upon several psychological studies, in order to guide youth sports coaches in creating positive and effective team cultures. The model comprises three principles:

• Redefining "Winner" - Focusing on Mastery of the Skill, rather than on scoreboard results, decreases anxiety and gives youth athletes a sense of control over the outcome. Positive Coaches recognize that mistakes are an inevitable part of sports and cultivate effort rather than concern about outcome, fostering an environment in which players don't fear making mistakes.
• Filling "Emotional Tanks" - Positive Coaches frequently give truthful, specific praise, laying the groundwork for "teachable moments," when players will be receptive to specific, constructive criciticism.
• Mistake Ritual - This is a technique that helps people quickly acknowledge a mistake and move beyond it, ready for the next needed action. Some rituals include "flushing" mistakes (immediately ridding one's mind of the mistake) and "parking" the mistake for later consideration.
• Honoring the Game - Positive Coaches train their athletes to respect Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self. R-O-O-T-S

Using the simple basic tools offered by PCA, coaches can effectively increase the attention span of their athletes, create an environment in which athletes work harder and learn more, and thus win more games.

Visit Positive Coaching Alliance's Development Zone

For the Ultimate example of "Honoring the Game," watch the video as a Western Oregon U softball player hits her first ever - in her life - home run. Just past 1st base, she tears a ligament in her knee and is unable to run any further. See how her opponents react.

Courses

Double-Goal Coach: Coaching for Winning and Life Lessons

Double-Goal Coach: Culture, Practice and Games

Double-Goal Coach: Developing Triple-Impact Competitors

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A few of the National Advisory Board Members:

• Dusty Baker: Manager Washington Nationals
• Bruce Bochy: Manager San Francisco Giants
• Bart Conner: Olympic Gymnastics Gold Medalist
• Joe Ehrmann: Former NFL Pro Bowl Player
• Phil Jackson: 11-Time NBA Champion Coach
• Summer Sanders: Olympic Swimming Gold Medalist