Create an Inclusive & Positive Climate
How well do you create a positive sport environment and incorporate inclusive practices?
Read each question and then click on the question to evaluate your coaching. Based on your current coaching practice, consider whether this is an area that needs improvement, is acceptable, or is exceptional. If you are not sure, feel free to ask others (i.e., assistant coaches, athletes, administrators, community members, fans, etc.) or have another observe your practice to help you decide.
If you discover a need for improvement, refer to the resources available for ways to improve your coaching practice.
- 01
Needs improvement- I understand that sport practices are a necessary part of athletic success, but it is hard to make them fun or positive.
Acceptable - While hard work is needed in practices, I try to add variety in practices and incorporate game like scenarios. I also provide feedback and encouragement to all athletes emphasizing hard work, effort, and learning.
Exceptional - While hard and intense work is needed in practices, I try to create variety within practices, focus on skill development and provide challenges, and create game-like practices and competition. I also create activities that build team camaraderie. Finally, I provide feedback and encouragement to all athletes emphasizing hard work, effort, and learning.
Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:
Creating a Positive Sports Environment
Play Hard, Be a Good Sport, Have Fun
Creating Positive Environments and Interventions to Handle Challenges
- 02
Description: Growth mindset is the belief that the most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. People’s talent is just the starting point to success. Fostering a growth mindset in athletes creates an environment where athletes view failure and challenges as an opportunity to get better, instead of an obstacle that they cannot overcome. https://li.wsu.edu/2019/09/20/promoting-growth-mindset/
Needs improvement - My athletes view making a mistake as failing. When athletes make a mistake they get frustrated, either becoming aggressive or shutting down.
Acceptable - My athletes view making a mistake as part of the learning process. Athletes do not get frustrated when making a mistake, because they see the mistake as an opportunity to grow.
Exceptional - My athletes view making a mistake as part of the learning process. Athletes do not get frustrated when making a mistake, because they see the mistake as an opportunity to grow. Additionally, I instill a growth mindset as one of the team’s core values and fosters a growth mindset throughout the season.
Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:
- 03
Description: Sport autonomy is the acceptance that both the athletes and their coach have a role to play in game play decisions. Effective sport autonomy is a balance of decision making between the coach and the athletes.
Needs improvement- During games, I make sure that I choreograph every play and practice. Or, on the contrary, I do not offer any guidance and instruction during games which leads to confusion about how to play.
Acceptable - During games, I design the plays and offer guidance to my team, but I also allow athletes to make some game decisions to support athlete autonomy.
Exceptional - During games, I design the plays and offer guidance to my team, but I also allow athletes to make some game decisions to support athlete autonomy. Finally, I am able to differentiate my athletes. I offer more support and structure to some athletes and more freedom to others depending on their individual needs.
Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:
- 04
Needs improvement - I look at my sport team and see little diversity and/or I have had athletes leave the program or remark that they did not feel welcome on the team.
Acceptable - I follow all legal and ethical guidelines to encourage eligible athletes regardless of background to participate in my program and I actively implement strategies to make everyone feel welcome.
Exceptional - In addition to following all legal and ethical guidelines to encourage eligible athletes regardless of background to participate in my program, I actively recruit athletes from a variety of underrepresented groups, implement strategies to create a team atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, and work to address my own biases which may interfere with my ability to be welcoming and inclusive.
Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:
- 05
Needs improvement - I do not consider making accommodations in my practices which in turn makes it difficult to include athletes with disabilities.
Acceptable - Athletes with disabilities are able to be on my team because practices accommodate the athlete’s needs.
Exceptional - Athletes with disabilities are able to be on my team, because practices and competitions can be created to accommodate the athlete’s needs. If an athlete cannot participate in the program I work with my athletic administrator to find a comparable alternative.
Check out these resources if you are interested in improving coaching practice:
Tips for Including Athletes with Disabilities
Coaching Athletes with a Disability