The Madison Youth Football
Sportsmanship Initiative
Presented by
Madison Youth Football
In cooperation with
The Positive Coaching Alliance
The Mission Statement of Madison
Youth Football
 The goal of the Madison Youth Football program is to prepare our players to
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compete confidently and aggressively every play of every game.
This is achieved by:
The recognition and adherence to the fact that the foundation of the program is
based on a total commitment to teaching disciplined, hard nosed, tough, physical
football. The program is built on this very fact.
Engaged and knowledgeable coaching .The program takes the responsibility to
provide opportunities to improve the coaches’ football knowledge. The program is
committed to staying abreast of the latest football knowledge and techniques. MYF
coaches will be knowledgeable, prepared caring, and demanding during practice time.
High standards of performance and effort during practice .We will never coach
down to the player .We will ask the same level of commitment and effort from the least
talented player to the most talented. We will always strive to lift the player’s
performance level to our standards. We will always be truthful to the player’s execution
and performance during practice and games.
We will respect all connected with the game, and conduct ourselves in a manner
that reflects positively on the town of Madison.
The program encourages mutual respect between all involved, players, coaches and
parents.
Overview
 The Ideal Coach/Parent within MYF
 The Positive Coaching Alliance’s Program
 Evaluating Your Child’s Coach
 Conflict Resolution
 Presenting the Parent’s Code of Conduct
The MYF Parent and Coach’s Challenge
Enhancing Self-Worth
 The adults must find a way for every athlete to
experience success in an environment in which actual
winners are few and losers are many.
 The parent and coach must work together to see that
playing football enhances the child’s self-worth,
instead of destroying it.
Parent’s Checklist for Success
 Can you share your son or daughter?
 Can you admit your shortcomings?
 Can you accept your child’s
disappointments?
 Can you accept your child’s triumphs?
 Can you give your child some time?
 Can you let your child make her or his own
decisions?
Becoming a “Double-Goal”
Coach and Parent
 The “win-at-all-cost” coach- One goal…TO
WIN!
 A “positive coach and parent”- Wants to win, but
uses their player’s/child’s youth football
experience to teach “life-lessons” that will help
them be successful in every aspect of their life.
 When you have accomplished this feat you are a
“Double Goal” coach and/or parent
Three Themes to Becoming a
“Double Goal” Coach and Parent
Redefining “Winner”
Filling the “Emotional Tank”
Honoring the Game
Redefining “Winner”
 The Benefits of Redefining “Winner”
 Develops habits that serve them well in life
 Reduced anxiety
 Increased self-confidence
 Have more fun playing football.
Redefining “Winner”
 Professional Sports- Only Goal- Have the
most points at the end of the game
 Youth Sports- 2nd Goal- produce people
who will be “winners in life”
 Lets review Mastery Orientation and the
“Tree of Mastery”
Redefining “Winner”
 The ELM Tree is the “Tree of Mastery”
E stands for Effort
L stands for Learning
M stands for Mistakes
Redefining “Winner”
 How can you help?
 1. Tell your players and children that you want them to be
winners in life, and tell them the three things that winners
do…ELM
 2. Tell them you appreciate it when they try hard, even if
they lose.
 3. Challenge yourself not to ask “Did you win?” until
you’ve asked some more positive questions.
 4. Recognize that the commitment to mastery is hard
work. Be patient, positive and selective when criticizing
your child’s play. The “Golden Ratio” and “four-positivesand-a -wish.”
Filling the “Emotional Tank”
 Like gas tanks in automobiles, all players have
“emotional tanks” that require filling.
 Empty tank- irritable, pessimistic and unable to
deal with adversity--uncoachable
 Full tank- cheerful, optimistic and able to deal
with adversity--coachable
1.The “Oreo”- Sandwich a “wish” between two
pluses.
 2. The 5:1 “Golden Ratio”
Filling the “Emotional Tank”
 The “Golden Ratio”
 Praise to criticism “Golden Ratio”- 5:1
 Below 5:1- Children become discouraged
 Children can be educated to use this
“Golden Ratio” with their teammates, and
fill their emotional tanks
Filling the “Emotional Tank”
How can you help?
 1. Try not to give too much advice after a
tough game. Acknowledge their feelings of
disappointment before encouraging them to
keep their spirits up.
 2. Before giving advice try the “3-Plusesand-a-wish” technique.
 3. Remember the “Golden Ratio” when
criticizing your child.
Honoring the Game
 Honoring the game gets to the ROOTT of the “Tree of Mastery.”
Honor the:
 Rules
 Opponents- Especially during Madison versus Madison Games
 Officials
 Teammates
 Tradition
Honoring the Game
How can you help?
 1. Discuss the meaning of each element of
ROOTT with your players/children
 2. Be a good role model. Honor the game
when you attend your child’s game. Cheer
both teams when a good play is made.
Never yell at the referees.
Remember To:
 Remember to be a “Double Goal” coach
and parent
 Redefine “Winner”- ELM
 Fill your player’s/children’s “Emotional
Tank”- “Golden Ratio” 5:1, 3-pluses-and-awish
 Honor the Game and teach your child to do
the same- ROOTT
The Cornerstones of Effective
Coaching and Parenting
 Philosophy
 Motives
 Knowledge
 Leadership
 Self-Control
 Understanding
 Communication
 Consistency
 Respect
 Enthusiasm
Conflict Resolution
 GOAL of MYF- Provide EVERYONE with a fun
and positive experience without conflict.
 Occasionally, however a conflict will arise.
– FACT: Conflicts are a normal part of interaction. It is
not a matter of “if” you will face conflict, it is a matter
of “when” and “how”.
 People handle conflict in different ways
– Avoid it, accommodate it, force it, try to compromise,
or collaborate on it.
 How you cope with conflict will determine how
“successful” you are with it’s resolution
Conflict Resolution
 # 1 PRIORITY- The children of MYF are
provided with a SAFE, FUN and POSITIVE
experience while being taught the fundamental
skills to play the game of football.
 Conflicts can be quite distressing to all involved,
particularly the children.
 The MYF staff and coaches are committed to
making sure all conflicts are resolved quickly,
objectively, and equitably with the very first
consideration being given to the welfare of the
children.
Conflict Resolution
 Communication is the first step to avoid
future potential conflicts
– We will open the season with a mandatory
meeting for the parents. We will explain our
goals for the season, and inform the parents
what our goals and expectations are.
– Parents are part of the MYF “Team”. We will
keep them informed and involved.
Conflict Resolution
 How will a conflict arise?
– Coach not able to handle a certain player
– Parent might not approve of the actions of a
coach.
– Coach may not agree with calls on the field or
with the actions of opposing coaches
– The coach may not agree with the actions of the
parents.
Conflict Resolution
 When will a conflict arise?
– During a game
– During practice
– Over the phone
– While sending or receiving EMAIL
– The list could go on and on and on
 What will you do and what does MYF ask
you to do in these uncomfortable situations?
Conflict Resolution Process
 If you do not approve of the actions or
attitudes of another person (such as another
parent, family member, coach, or board
member) bring it to their direct attention
quickly in a courteous and positive manner.
 AVOID THESE CONVERSATIONS IN
FRONT OF THE CHILDREN
Conflict Resolution Process
 If you still find yourself unsuccessful, you should consult
with the Vice President of Football Operations (Matt
Sullivan).
 As a last resort contact the league president.
 Therefore, we request that the conflict resolution “chain of
command” be as follows:
 1. Head Coach
2. VP of Football Operations- Matt Sullivan
 3. League President- Jeff Richard
 AVOID THESE CONVERSATIONS IN FRONT OF THE
CHILDREN
Conflict Resolution Process
 Coaches’ Conflict with Referees
 The referees are the law on the field. Once the
game ball is handed to them, they are in control of
the game
 If you have a dispute with a referee, ask if you can
speak with them regarding your concern.
 In an extremely calm, courteous and positive
manner bring your concern to their attention.
 AVOID THESE CONVERSATIONS IN FRONT
OF THE CHILDREN
Conflict Resolution Process
 If problems persist with a referee, keep in mind
that they are the authority on the field and they are
VOLUNTEERS doing the best that they can to
make the right call. They are not Professionals!
 If you still have a problem with a referee’s
handling of a certain situation or his or her
conduct, bring your concern to the head coach.
They will investigate the matter, try to resolve it, if
unable to resolve it, they will bring it to the Board
of Directors.
Parents: Do not yell or otherwise
criticize the referees.
Madison Youth Football
Sport Parent Code of Conduct
The essential elements of character-building and ethics in sports are embodied in the concept of sportsmanship and six
core principles: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and good citizenship. The highest potential of
sports is achieved when competition reflects these "six pillars of character." While we have focused much of our
attention on insuring that our coaches are well trained to meet the challenges of today's youth sports environment; we
also recognize that our efforts are diminished without the support of an equally important member of our TEAM which
is you, the parents. As parents and coaches we are responsible for demonstrating these principles to our young athletes
by example; thus providing them with an environment within which they can develop their skills and, above all else,
have fun!
Therefore as a TEAM:
1.We, as loving parents, will actively support our child's participation in the sport of their choosing.
2.We will remember that the game is for youth, not adults.
3.We will be positive role models and not engage in any kind of unsportsmanlike conduct. We will demonstrate
positive support for all players, coaches, referees and fellow spectators at every game and practice.
4.We will never ridicule or yell at our children or other participants for making a mistake or losing a competition.
5.We will teach our children that doing one's best is more important than winning and will make our children feel like
winners every time.
6.We will never question, discuss, or confront coaches at the game field, and will take time to speak with coaches at an
agreed upon time and place.
7.We will refrain from coaching our children or other players during games and practices, unless we are one of the
official coaches of the team or, have been requested by the coaches to participate.
8.We will remain out of the field of play, (which includes the practice field) to allow the coaches and players the space
to participate and maintain focus on the game.
Respect for these simple guidelines will help insure that our youth will have fun while developing both as athletes and
responsible members of our great community.