Carnegie Scots Wrestling

As we reach the middle point of our season and head into more competition, it is a good time to refresh our memories on our Positive Coaching Alliance Parent Pleadge.

1 As a Second-Goal Parent I will let players and coaches take responsibility for the first goal of
winning. I will relentlessly focus on the second, more important, goal of using sports to teach life
lessons to my child and other youth.

2 I will use positive encouragement to fill the Emotional Tanks of my children, their teammates,
and coaches. I understand that people do their best with full E-Tanks.

3 I will reinforce the ELM Tree of Mastery with my child (E for Effort, L for Learning, M for bouncing
back from Mistakes). Because I understand a mastery approach will help my child be successful
in sports and in life, I will encourage my child to
• put in a high level of effort to get better,
• cultivate a Teachable Spirit to continue to learn and improve,
• use a Mistake Ritual (e.g., “flushing mistakes”) to quickly rebound from mistakes.

4 I will set an example for my child by Honoring the Game and will encourage him/her to remember
ROOTS—respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates, and Self. If the official
makes a "bad" call against my team, I will Honor the Game and be silent!

5 I will use a self-control routine to avoid losing my composure when things go wrong. I will take
a deep breath, turn away from the game to refocus, count backwards from 100 or use self-talk
(“I need to be a role model. I can rise above this.”).

6 I will engage in No-Directions Cheering. I will limit my comments during the game to encouraging
my child and other players (from both teams)

7 I will get my child to practice and games on time and will be on time picking my child up after
games and practices.

8 I will refrain from making negative comments about my child's coach in my child's presence.
I understand that this will help to avoid planting negative seeds in my child's head that can
negatively influence my child's motivation and overall experience.

Our new members of the Scots wrestling family had a great showing at their first tournament.  The team went 35-15 on the day with 19 pins.

Medalists were:

1st place - Derek Bell, Josiah Bartlett, Tyler Nelson, Carlos Perez, German Villasenor, Andrew Stunz, Jake Forni, Brandon Romani and Blake Sprenger

2nd place - Mason Scroggins, Jake Cenderelli, Trevor Watts, Anker Fanoe and Cole Rindal

3rd place - Conner Vanatta, Sam Heglund and Bennett Deleon.

Something new for this year, athletes will be purchasing their singlet which they will keep at the end of the year.  These are custom designed sublimated singlets and are brand new for this year.  Singlets are $45 and may be purchased at the parent meeting or at practice.

The Positive Coach Mental Model Mental models have power. They affect how people see, think, and behave. If one were to characterize the prominent mental model for coaching, it might be called "win-at-all-cost." PCA believes this needs to change. As part of Positive Coaching Alliance’s strategy to transform youth sports, we have developed the Positive Coach Mental Model and will promote it until it becomes the industry standard for youth sports. Extensive academic research constitutes the foundation for the Positive Coach Mental Model. Please read through the Positive Coach Mental Model Research Summary to learn more. The Positive Coach Mental Model is consistent with the National Standards for Athletic Coaches developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE). The Double-Goal Coach PCA believes all youth sport coaches should be "Double-Goal" Coaches. A win-at-all-cost coach has only one goal: to win. He or she is concerned primarily with teaching skills and developing strategy designed to win games. A Positive Coach is a "Double-Goal Coach" who wants to win, AND has a second goal: to help players develop positive character traits, so they can be successful in life. Winning is important, but the second goal, helping players learn "life lessons," is more important. A Positive Coach puts players first. Positive Coach Mental Model There are three major elements to the "job description" of a Positive Coach. A Positive Coach: Redefines "Winner" Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks Honors the Game Redefines "Winner" A Positive Coach helps players redefine what it means to be a winner through a mastery, rather than a scoreboard, orientation. He sees victory as a by-product of the pursuit of excellence. He focuses on effort rather than outcome and on learning rather than comparison to others. He recognizes that mistakes are an important and inevitable part of learning and fosters an environment in which players don't fear making mistakes. While not ignoring the teaching opportunities that mistakes present, he teaches players that a key to success is how one responds to mistakes. He sets standards of continuous improvement for himself and his players. He encourages his players, whatever their level of ability, to strive to become the best players, and people, they can be. He teaches players that a winner is someone who makes maximum effort, continues to learn and improve, and doesn’t let mistakes (or fear of mistakes) stop them. Fills Players’ Emotional Tanks A Positive Coach is a positive motivator who refuses to motivate through fear, intimidation, or shame. She recognizes that every player has an "Emotional Tank" like the gas tank of a car. Just as a car with an empty gas tank can’t go very far, a player with an empty emotional tank doesn't have the energy to do her best. A Positive Coach understands that compliments, praise, and positive recognition fill Emotional Tanks. She understands the importance of giving truthful and specific feedback and resists the temptation to give praise that is not warranted. When correction is necessary, a Positive Coach communicates criticism to players in ways that don't undermine their sense of self-worth. A Positive Coach strives to achieve a 5:1 "Plus/Minus Ratio" of praise to correction. A Positive Coach establishes order and maintains discipline in a positive manner. She listens to players and involves them in decisions that affect the team. She works to remain positive even when things aren't going well. She recognizes that it is often when things go wrong that a coach can have the most lasting impact and can teach the most important lessons. Even when facing adversity, she refuses to demean herself, her players, or the environment. She always treats athletes with respect, regardless of how well they perform. Honors the Game A Positive Coach feels an obligation to his sport. He understands that Honoring the Game means getting to the ROOTS of the matter, where ROOTS stands for respect for: Rules Opponents Officials Teammates Self. A Positive Coach teaches his players to Honor the Game. He loves his sport and upholds the spirit, as well as the letter, of its rules. He respects opponents, recognizing that a worthy opponent will push his athletes to do their best. He understands the important role that officials play and shows them respect, even when he disagrees with their calls. He encourages players to make a commitment to each other and to encourage one another on and off the field. He values the rich tradition of his sport and feels privileged to participate. A Positive Coach realizes that one of the most difficult times to Honor the Game is when the opponent is not, and he reminds his players to live up to their own highest standard (respect for self). Ultimately, a Positive Coach demonstrates integrity and would rather lose than win by dishonoring the game.

The key to preventing adult misbehavior in youth sports is a youth sports culture in which all involved "Honor the Game." Honoring the Game gets to the ROOTS of the matter and involves respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and one's Self. You don't bend the rules to win. You understand that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play to your highest potential. You show respect for officials even when you disagree. You refuse to do anything that embarrasses your team. You live up to your own standards even if others don't. Here are ways that parents can create a positive youth sports culture so that children will have fun and learn positive character traits to last a lifetime. Before the Game: Make a commitment to Honor the Game in action and language no matter what others may do. Tell your child before each game that you are proud of him or her regardless of how well he or she plays. During the Game: Fill your children's "Emotional Tank" through praise and positive recognition so they can play their very best. Don't give instructions to your child during the game. Let the coach correct player mistakes. Cheer good plays by both teams (this is advanced behavior!) Mention good calls by the official to other parents. If an official makes a "bad" call against your team? Honor the Game—BE SILENT! If another parent on your team yells at an official? Gently remind him or her to Honor the Game. Don't do anything in the heat of the moment that you will regret after the game. Ask yourself, "Will this embarrass my child or the team?" Remember to have fun! Enjoy the game. After the Game: Thank the officials for doing a difficult job for little or no pay. Thank the coaches for their commitment and effort. Don't give advice. Instead ask your child what he or she thought about the game and then LISTEN. Listening fills Emotional Tanks. Tell your child again that you are proud of him or her, whether the team won or lost.