True-Sport-Report

parts and variable skill levels of a group
of athletes work together. In a summary
of team-building research, Bloom et al. 144
found that team-building activities can
have positive results with elite sport and
high school teams. Athletes who participate
in team-building activities directed
by their coach report higher perceptions of
self-worth, athletic competence, physical
appearance, and social acceptance. 145 In
addition, coaches report improving their
own communication and motivational
skills as a result of the activities. 146 Studies
on team building show that athletes
benefit from coaches who employ teambuilding
techniques, which create a more
enjoyable environment and increase the
likelihood that they will stay active in
the sport. 144,147 In fact, a survey of NCAA
Division 1 head coaches identified team
culture as a key to their teams’ success because
it creates a positive environment in
which all team members can support and
reinforce the best in one another. 130 Team
building breeds prosocial acts by players
toward opponents and teammates. In
turn, this maintains a continuity of play. 148
By promoting positive relationships,
coaches create a supportive environment
that optimizes the potential of individual
athletes and the team collectively.
Some research has been conducted to
determine what coaches expect children
should gain from playing sport. For example,
Lesyk and Kornspan 149 found that
coaches ranked having fun, learning life
skills, being part of a team, developing
confidence, and the excitement of competition
as important outcomes for their
players.
USADA’s survey found that 95 percent
of coaches responding to the survey say
that fair play and respect for others are
highly important values to reinforce
through sport, but that fewer than one
in four coaches believe that sport is
effectively reinforcing fair play or respect.
Importantly, 82 percent of coaches say
their athletes are respectful to others and
believe it is important that everyone have
a fair chance.
The Coach’s Role in Character
Building and Leadership
James Thompson of the Positive Coaching
Alliance describes the coaching responsibility
as a powerful legacy that helps “young
people realize their potential as people as
well as athletes” (p. 9). 150 Their coaching
development programs emphasize the
importance of positive role modeling and
using competition as a vehicle to teach life
lessons.
Coaches can play a critical role in
modeling good behavior and providing a
positive environment for youth development.
They can boost the low self-esteem
of marginalized children and teenagers,
foster healthy lifestyle habits, discourage
the excesses of the “jock culture,” teach
leadership skills, work with parents to
create a healthy and positive sport environment,
and steer children away from
negative behaviors. For example, research
58