Remodeling Sports to Transform Lives

The purpose of coaching extends beyond wins and losses. A good coach realizes that they are not merely coaching a sport. They are developing individuals to succeed in life. A great coach provides a positive, safe, caring, supportive, and nurturing environment where all children feel like they belong. As John Wooden, legendary basketball coach, said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”

Sport is a great way for young people to feel connected, included, motivated, empowered and respected. Athletics provides an opportunity for students from different identity groups and backgrounds to come together, share their commitment to the sport, and express their respect and appreciation for each other.

This is how we define the purpose of sports. This is the lens for understanding the power sport has to make an impact in communities and to remake athletics to transform the lives of youth.

Examine our free curriculum at https://lnkd.in/eYCrggMD A curriculum is the written, clearly articulated plan for how learning develops over time. This curriculum provides an educational blueprint for how students and coaches can learn and develop by integrating social and emotional principles. These principles reflect science-based skills found in sport psychology, social-emotional learning research, and positive psychology. Each of the principles outlined in this book provide suggested practices, research, and resources for integrating social and emotional competencies in any team setting.

This curriculum is designed to be transparent, read by coaches, students, athletic directors, and parents. The curriculum doesn’t have to be followed in order. Ideally, students and coaches should read the document together, identifying ideas, practices, and scientific principles that can benefit everyone.

Playing a sport alone does not transform lives. However, sports can positively affect many aspects of adolescent development. As students learn the skills to play a sport, they should also learn how to maintain a positive culture; promote anti-racism, anti- misogyny, and anti-homophobia; learn how to improve their focus and concentration; maximize their effort and increase motivation; learn how to manage stress, anxiety and pressure; and lastly, commit to a process to achieve meaningful goals.

Taking these skills and applying them outside of athletics is what every good coach strives to do. While it is up to the student to harness the power of sport into their lives, the most important factor determining whether this will happen effectively is the quality of the coaching.