Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports

A Self-Instruction Program for Youth Sport Parents

What is the biggest problem in youth sports? When asked this question, administrators and coaches almost unanimously agree. It’s parents! The following comments are typical: “Parents put too much pressure on the kids.” “I enjoyed working with the kids, but the constant hassle with parents drove me out of coaching.” Although problem-parents may be a small minority, their impact can be huge. It takes only one inconsiderate parent to be disruptive to the entire team.

So what are the options? One solution is to bar parents from attending practices and games. But wouldn’t it be better for sports to help bring families closer together? If sports are to make the greatest possible contribution to youngsters’ development, parents must be involved. Mothers and fathers can learn to be successful sport parents by watching the Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports–a research-based self-instruction DVD that complements the program for coaches and is designed to get parents and coaches “on the same page” to the benefit of children. The primary focus is on encouraging parents to provide a mastery motivational climate that emphasizes a definition of success as self-improvement, giving maximum effort, and enjoying the activity for its own sake instead of defining success as winning and besting others. A major theme is emphasized: What young athletes learn in sports carries over into their everyday lives. The program also discusses appropriate parent behavior, relations with coaches, and answers many questions that parents have.

The Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports is based on over 25 years of experience in youth sport coaching and parent education. The program was originally developed and delivered as a 60-minute workshop, and it has been transformed into a 45-minute DVD self-instruction program. The program is appropriate for parents who have relatively little athletic experience, as well as those who have a strong background in sports.

Mastery Approach to Parenting in Sports DVD Content Outline

• Introduction
• The Mastery Triangle
• A child-centered orientation that promotes cooperation among parents, coaches, administrators, and sports officials
• Youth Sport Objectives and Values
• Goals of youth sports from the perspectives of parents and young athletes
• Difference between developmental and professional models of sport
• Achievement in Sports and in Life
• Keeping sports in perspective
• Defining success in terms of mastery versus ego orientations to achievement
• Effects of a mastery-oriented climate on youngsters’ personal, social, and athletic development
• The Real Meaning of Winning
• A mastery-oriented philosophy of winning and how to teach it to young athletes
• Parent Roles and Responsibilities
• Challenges for parents relative to their youngsters’ involvement in sports
• Combating Athletic Stress
• The nature and consequences of performance anxiety
• Reducing fear of failure and avoiding parent-induced stress
• Parent Behavior at Sport Events
• Rules for parents’ conduct
• Controlling spectator anger
• Dealing with parents who misbehave
• Getting Along With Your Child’s Coach
• Establishing and maintaining open lines of communication
• Youth Sport Issues and Challenges
• Major questions that parents have about youth sports
• Concluding Message