Philosophy of Middle School Athletics By Mike Stark- Principal / AD Cheney Middle School Dave Tikker- Executive Director- WSSAAA.

Philosophy of Middle School AthleticsPhilosophy of Middle School Athletics

By Mike Stark- Principal / AD Cheney Middle SchoolBy Mike Stark- Principal / AD Cheney Middle SchoolDave Tikker- Executive Director- WSSAAADave Tikker- Executive Director- WSSAAA

INTRODUCTIONS

ConfigurationsNo Cut

Budget Cuts Effect District Philosophy

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, . . . . . we had everything age of foolishness, . . . . . we had everything before us, we had nothing before us…”before us, we had nothing before us…”

Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859

And And

ANY ANY U.S. Middle School Teacher/Coach U.S. Middle School Teacher/Coach

on on ANY ANY day of day of ANYANY School Year School Year

– Many coaches begin their careers at this level, Many coaches begin their careers at this level, therefore, they start with drills, game preparation/plans, therefore, they start with drills, game preparation/plans, and motivational techniques similar to their most recent and motivational techniques similar to their most recent experiences. experiences. (high school or collegiate)(high school or collegiate)

– Middle School Experience Looks Different- We have Middle School Experience Looks Different- We have activities because of there educational value- activities because of there educational value- Philosophy and educational value should be Philosophy and educational value should be synonymoussynonymous

Why is it Important to Discuss Why is it Important to Discuss Middle School PhilosophyMiddle School Philosophy

What Characteristics of Middle School What Characteristics of Middle School Children Should Be ConsideredChildren Should Be Considered??

1. ValuesValues-- Peer Acceptance-- Peer Acceptance– They want to be accepted by everyone and do not apply They want to be accepted by everyone and do not apply

selectivityselectivity 2.2. PerceptionPerception-Limited-Limited

– What do my friends say?What do my friends say? 3. 3. EmotionsEmotions--Peaks and Valleys--Peaks and Valleys

– Self-concernsSelf-concerns

– Image and self-awareness are emerging and malleableImage and self-awareness are emerging and malleable 4.4. DecisionsDecisions

– ImpulsiveImpulsive

– Based on limited dataBased on limited data

WhatWhatCharacteristics of Middle School Children Characteristics of Middle School Children

Should Be Considered?Should Be Considered?

5. Physical DevelopmentPhysical Development--11 to 15 years old--11 to 15 years old– Speed, quickness, size, enduranceSpeed, quickness, size, endurance

6.6. IntelligenceIntelligence--What range--What range– Cognitive Impaired to geniusCognitive Impaired to genius

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Table DiscussionTable Discussion

What is your role as a middle school coach?

Is it a personal philosophy? District Mandated? Combination of Both

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Program PhilosophyProgram Philosophy

The mission of middle-level athletics The mission of middle-level athletics should be to provide an enjoyable should be to provide an enjoyable educational educational experience for young experience for young adolescentsadolescents based on their based on their developmental characteristics and developmental characteristics and needsneeds..

Program PhilosophyProgram Philosophy (Continued)(Continued)

All athletic experiences must be viewed in terms of THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS of the middle school of the middle school student and not the parents and / or the coachesstudent and not the parents and / or the coaches

Competition is kept in Competition is kept in perspective!!!!!!!!!!!!!perspective!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Should You be Teaching Your AthletesWhat Should You be Teaching Your Athletes

Academic Commitments School Attendance Respect Civility Positive Conduct

– In-School– Out-of-School

Effective Decision Maker Personal Effort and Work Ethic Self Control Personal Confidence Accountability for personal conduct, roles and

responsibilities

Middle School Programs Contrasted With Middle School Programs Contrasted With High School ProgramsHigh School Programs

Implications for CoachesImplications for Coaches Keep in mind the differences in physical strength

and endurance when developing schedules and numbers of contests.

– Not a Farm Team for the High School• Everyone Should Play

How are you coaching?How are you coaching?

What is your focus?What is your focus?– X and O’s- Skill DevelopmentX and O’s- Skill Development– WinningWinning– ParticipationParticipation– Little bit of eachLittle bit of each

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Group DiscussionGroup Discussion

In light of the philosophy and In light of the philosophy and objectives suggested, objectives suggested,

are the developmental are the developmental characteristics of your athletes characteristics of your athletes considered as a foundation for considered as a foundation for your coaching and your districts your coaching and your districts philosophy?philosophy?

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““Don’t Forget the Athlete”Don’t Forget the Athlete”

The 12 Most Important Reasons Why Young Adolescents The 12 Most Important Reasons Why Young Adolescents Participate in Athletics:Participate in Athletics:

1. To have fun1. To have fun 7. To do something I’m good at7. To do something I’m good at 2. To improve skills2. To improve skills 8. To win8. To win 3. Competition excitement 3. Competition excitement 9. A higher level of competition9. A higher level of competition 4. To be part of a team4. To be part of a team 10. To get exercise10. To get exercise 5 Challenge of competition 5 Challenge of competition 11. To learn new skills11. To learn new skills 6. To stay in shape 6. To stay in shape 12. For the team spirit12. For the team spirit

– Sample: 2000 boys, 1900 girls grades 7-12Sample: 2000 boys, 1900 girls grades 7-12

Defining the Philosophic Value Defining the Philosophic Value “To Have Fun.”“To Have Fun.”

#1 reason kids play sports and quit sports#1 reason kids play sports and quit sports

One outgrowth of sports participation is that up to 50% of One outgrowth of sports participation is that up to 50% of children who begin sport participation in grade 9 no longer children who begin sport participation in grade 9 no longer participate in school athletic programs after grade 10. The participate in school athletic programs after grade 10. The percentage is higher for girls than boys. percentage is higher for girls than boys. The common The common reason given is reason given is “It wasn’t fun anymore!!!”“It wasn’t fun anymore!!!”

Is it possible that coaches and students have different Is it possible that coaches and students have different definitions of “fun”?definitions of “fun”?

Defining the Philosophic Value Defining the Philosophic Value “To Have Fun.”.”“To Have Fun.”.”

Contributors to “FUN”Contributors to “FUN”– Consistent application of rulesConsistent application of rules– Well organized practicesWell organized practices– Information-rich teaching and skill coachingInformation-rich teaching and skill coaching– Focus on individual athlete and his/her personal knowledge Focus on individual athlete and his/her personal knowledge

and skill needsand skill needs– Constant encouragement to to improveConstant encouragement to to improve– Recognition of individual improvements and work-ethicRecognition of individual improvements and work-ethic– End practices with encouragement and recognitions of good End practices with encouragement and recognitions of good

workwork– Understanding “colors” one size does not fit allUnderstanding “colors” one size does not fit all

Defining the Philosophic Value Defining the Philosophic Value “To Have Fun.”“To Have Fun.”.”

The term “to have fun” does not mean the absence of rules The term “to have fun” does not mean the absence of rules and disciplineand discipline– Make positive rules that are athlete and team-centered.Make positive rules that are athlete and team-centered.

– Coaches must recognize their responsibility to model Coaches must recognize their responsibility to model appropriate behavior at all times and they must motivate their appropriate behavior at all times and they must motivate their athletes to do the same. athletes to do the same.

– Coaches must be “Fair”Coaches must be “Fair”

– Fun means fair treatment, individual recognition and Fun means fair treatment, individual recognition and communication and a sense of self-worth established for communication and a sense of self-worth established for every athleteevery athlete

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Middle School Athletics“Kids First……Winning Second”

Middle School Athletics“Kids First……Winning Second”

A Successful Middle Level CoachA Successful Middle Level Coach

Is winning an expectation? If so, whose expectation?Is winning an expectation? If so, whose expectation? Winning should not be the primary goal of the program.

• Programs should promote behaviors that include cooperation, sportsmanship and personal improvement.

• Middle level athletes should focus on positive personal growth and consistent effort regardless of the outcome of a game.

• These objectives have direct implication for These objectives have direct implication for coaching style and communication methodscoaching style and communication methods

Athletics as a Motivational Tool for Athletics as a Motivational Tool for Working With the Young AdolescentWorking With the Young Adolescent

Make coaches aware that athletics are an integral part of the total middle school program.

They must understand the importance of the school’s academic and behavioral expectations for athletes and coaches.– Numerous Research studies have established the following Numerous Research studies have established the following

correlation: correlation: • On an average, students who are involved in On an average, students who are involved in

extracurricular activities maintain higher grade point extracurricular activities maintain higher grade point averages and have better attendance patterns then the rest averages and have better attendance patterns then the rest of the student population.of the student population.

• Extracurricular participation is the best predictor or Extracurricular participation is the best predictor or collegiate successcollegiate success

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The Coach’s InfluenceThe Coach’s Influence

YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN THEIR LIVES:

– Don’t Under-estimate your influenceDon’t Under-estimate your influence• Mike Stephens- Mike Stephens- • 0-10 season teaches many lessons0-10 season teaches many lessons

– THINGS YOU SAY TODAY WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR DECADES!

– .

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Middle School AthleticsMiddle School AthleticsSummarySummary

““Athletic participation is a unique Athletic participation is a unique forum for the education of children that forum for the education of children that cannot be duplicated in the class room cannot be duplicated in the class room

settingsetting”

(NFHS Philosophy)NFHS Philosophy)