SportPsych Works is a newsletter-style fact sheet publication of APA Div. 47 (Society for Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology). Published approximately three times per year, the fact sheets serve to provide trusted and timely information to the public in an easy-to-understand Q&A format on a variety of evidence-based sport, exercise and performance psychology topics.
Below an example regarding youth sport
Of the estimated 60 million boys and girls who participate in youth sport, roughly one-third drop out of sport each year, and up to 70% drop out by adolescence. Youth athletes report “having fun” as the number-one reason for participating in youth sport (Visek, Mannix, DiPietro, Achrati, McDonnel, & Harris, 2015). Treating youth athletes like professionals by overemphasizing winning is a quick way to reduce their enjoyment in sport and increase competition anxiety and drop-out (O’Rourke, Smith, Smoll, & Cumming, 2011). A positive sport environment shaped by coaches and parents can increase the likelihood that young athletes realize the full benefits of youth sport.
How Can We Facilitate Positive Interactions in Youth Sport?
Positive interactions within the “Athletic Triangle” (athlete, coach, and parent), can make youth sport a positive social and learning experience for youth athletes (Smith, Smoll, & Smith, 1989). The diagram on the right highlights the Top 3 fundamental tenants of the Youth Sport Ethos of fostering fun (Visek, 2015). Continue reading to learn how you, as a coach/parent, can be a positive member of your youth’s Athletic Triangle and promote the Youth Sport Ethos.
What is a Fun Environment?
Visek and colleagues (2015) discovered the following 11 fun-dimensions of sport participation that make youth sport fun:
0 Responses to “SportPsych Works: info about sport psychology”