Assignment Task:
Post a reply of at least 200 words for each discussion.
Each reply must incorporate at least one scholarly citation(s) in APA format. Any sources cited must have been published within the last five years. Acceptable sources include peer reviewed journal articles, content from relevant professional associations/platforms, course materials, the textbook, the Bible, etc. Need Assignment Help?
Manage Discussion by Kevin Davis
In looking at the five questions for this week's discussion it had me look again into what and why I am doing the things I currently do. Some of those questions did not have the same answers compared to when I first started coaching and not faithfully following Christ.
I will admit when I first year coaching I highly valued winning. I believed coaches who won got all the respect compared to those without a winning record. The media highly influenced me in that area. I did not have pressure to win games because of the level but I was not concerned about the players. As I continued to coach and had good mentors to follow I adjusted my values. Character, integrity, and honesty are what I value most now. Having character really keeps the integrity and honor in alignment with how you want to be remembered. Now, I consider myself to be a coach that focuses first on holistic athlete development and then winning. (Yukhymenko-Lescroart, 2024)
Visions of winning championships used to be the main objective. I do want to win a championship but not at the expense of not developing a young person socially and emotionally. Teaching or improving a player's skills can be done by almost anyone. My vision is to assist as many young athletes in the development of life skills as possible. Every season I allow at least one academically at risk player on my team. Putting them in an environment where they will be held accountable and with those athletes already doing well in the classroom gives them an example to follow. Another wanted outcome of my vision is to get the athletes to have a vision of what they want to accomplish outside of sports.
One of my virtues or strengths as referred to in our reading is my attention to detail. I did not always recognize this strength; it was brought to my attention during Air Force basic training. Attention to detail was at the forefront of everything we did. Now I use it to guide my athletes on their tasks be it on the field or in the classroom. Teaching them to cross the T's and dot the I's teaches them to focus on the matter at hand. Doing things right the first time saves them time and effort later.
Coaching at the high school level is the best venue for me at this point. I can say this because I have coached and taught at the elementary level and the middle school level. Philippians 4:11 says "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (King James Bible, 1769/2017) The concepts and ideas that I am trying to teach are best taught at this age. Graduating high school is a transition to college, work force, or the military so being spiritually, socially, emotionally, and mentally ready is key to a smoother adaptation.
The vehicle I use is the sport. Many life skills can be learned through playing sports. You must learn to communicate with others, good and bad. Learning to deal with loss and how to handle winning with honor are two more skills. Dealing with tough situations and the stress that comes along with it is another life learning lesson. In football and flag football we hold study hall sessions before practice. This allows us to get to know our players, give homework assistance, or just allow the players to bond.
References:
James Bible. (2017), Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1769)
Yukhymenko-Lescroart, M. A. (2024). Coaching for winning or holistic athlete development, or both? Validation of the two-dimensional Identity of Sport Coaches Scale (2-DISCS). Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 36(1), 161.
Manage Discussion by Timothy Edwards
During the past couple of years, I have actively participated in youth sports initiative to create an AAU basketball organization. My primary objective has been to develop fundamental skills and provide support to help athletes reach their full potential, while placing a strong emphasis on sportsmanship and creating a positive environment. The concept of establishing basic movement skills as a foundation for more advanced and specialized movement forms is long-standing. However, a concern in youth sports development has been the emphasis on early specialization over generalized fundamental movement skills (FMS). Although alternative terms are available (foundational movement skills, functional movement skills, and basic movement skills), FMS typically encompass locomotor and object control skills. Consequently, FMS are considered essential for developing sports-specific skills, and their underdevelopment may limit future performance. Indeed, the long-term athlete development model, which has guided young athlete training in sporting organizations for over two decades, promotes the development of FMS prior to specific sports skills (Williams et al., 2021). Coaches, parents, and athletes must emphasize the importance of respect for teammates, opponents, and officials. Teaching young athletes, the values of fair play, gratitude, and humility enables them to develop not only as athletes but also as respectful individuals. Coaches can demonstrate this behavior by acknowledging good sportsmanship and addressing negative behavior in a timely and constructive manner. A positive environment is built upon sportsmanship. Coaches, parents, and athletes must stress the importance of respect for teammates, opponents, and officials. Teaching young athletes, the values of fair play, gratitude, and humility enables them to develop not only as athletes but also as respectful individuals. Coaches can demonstrate this behavior by acknowledging good sportsmanship and addressing negative behavior in a timely and constructive manner. My vision is to establish a strong team culture is crucial for a positive sports environment. This can be accomplished by cultivating strong relationships among team members. Team-building activities, open communication, and mutual support can foster trust and camaraderie. Recognizing each player's unique contributions and encouraging a sense of collective responsibility for the team's success reinforces this culture.
Although winning games constitutes a fundamental part of sports, the paramount focus for youth sports should be on personal growth and self-improvement. Coaches should define personalized goals for players, emphasizing skill development, diligence, and personal milestones rather than merely focusing on triumphs. Acknowledging these modest successes contributes to building confidence and sustaining children's enthusiasm. Promoting diversity involves actively soliciting participation from children of varied backgrounds, fostering an environment where differences are cherished and celebrated. My objective is to create a program that instructs young athletes about the importance of diversity and inclusion, thereby enabling them to value and respect their peers. By utilizing local gymnasiums, we will be able to practice specific basketball skills such as shooting, dribbling, passing, and footwork. The vehicles I will utilize to facilitate goal attainment include local gyms, fundamental skill work, and strategies. That will aid in achieving the desired outcome.
Williams MD, Strafford BW, Stone JA, Moran J. Parkour-Based Activities in the Athletic Development of Youth Basketball Players. Front Physiol. (2021). 12:771368. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.771368. PMID: 34721090; PMCID: PMC8554233.