Coaching: The Art and Science
Hard work will overcome
talent, especially if talent
hardly works!
Ethical Decision-Making

Problem-Solving
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
Apply a formal decision making process
Solve a complex situation
Valuing
–
–
–
Differentiate between ethical and legal issues
Understand rationale for Code of Ethics and basis
of values
Appreciate hierarchy of values in moral dilemma
Ethical Decision-Making

Critical Thinking
–
–
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Leadership
–
–

Evaluate options for decisions and actions
Appreciate the influence of the Ethical Codes in
decision making
Make decisions that influence others
Assume responsibility for decisions and
consequences
Interaction
–
–
Exchange of ideas and opinions
Explain rationale for decision
Making Ethical Decisions

Wide range of situations
– Touch on sensitive issues

Ethical issues when values compromised
 Decisions sensitive and difficult
–
–
–
–

Understanding of facts
Awareness of values
Appropriate points of reference
Application of rigorous decision-making framework
What would you do?
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZmxirK9hWY
Is it a Legal Situation?


Page 24 – 10.2.4
Page 3-5 Reference Material
 Criminal
or quasi-criminal actions
 Breach of Contract
 Grounds child in need of protection
 Discriminatory actions
 Harassment
 Negligence
Actions in Legal Situations
 Reporting
to police
 Reporting to child
protection authorities
 Reporting to employer or
organization
Dealing with an Ethical Situation
 Workbook
page 4 Read Over
 The Shakespearean Dilemma
– To Play Or Not To Play

What are the facts of the situation?
– Use worksheet 1 at end of chapter – page
19
Ethical Situation – The Facts

Athlete is 13 years old
 Symptoms of injury
 Everyone agrees injury
symptoms present
 Parents demand child
take part – OK with GP
 No note from GP
 Research indicates long
term consequences
 No medical examination






Good athlete –
provincial team
Parents powerful in club
Coach has final
authority (policy)
Documentation required
to return from injury
Athlete feels pain but
prepared to play
Provincial team coach
present
Ethical Issues

(pg 6 Reference manual)
Health of the Athlete – long and short term
– Reasonable doubt athlete injured

Respect policies and procedures of
organization
– Return policy in place

Responsibility of Coach, Obligations
– Has authority to make decision

Appropriate use of power
– Coach by organization, parents over child

Individual Goals
 Appropriate use of information
Ethical Decision Making Process
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Establish the facts of the situation.
Determine what are the issues – legal
implications?
Identify Potential Decisions/Actions.
Identify Pros and Cons of Decisions/Actions.
Select the Best Option.
Implement Decision

– Manage Consequences.
Analysis And Decision-Making Process For Situations
That Have Moral Implications
1
- Establish the
facts in the
situation
- Is this a situation that has legal
implications?
- If the situation is not legal, what
ethical issues might be involved?
2- From the facts,
determine what is at
stake
Have all
3- Consider potential
options for action or
decision, and the
consequences of each
the facts been
identified?
Analysis
4- Assess the pros
and cons of each
option
Decision -Making
How does each option
promote a fair decision
in relation to the:
- outcomes or
results
-
- means used to
achieve results
5- Select the best
option for decision
-
-
-
Implementation
What is the best course
of action to follow? Who
should be involved?
6- Implement thedecision
and manage the
consequences
Have I thought about
factors that might
influence me?
What values must be
preserved in the situation?
Is this a just and
reasonable decision?
Options for Decision or Actions
“What could I do in this situation?”
 Identify the extremes of a continuum of
options

– Begin with “Make no decision/Take no action”

Coach makes no intervention
– Parents proceed with registration of child for
competition

Coach allows the athlete to compete
 Coach does not allow the athlete to compete
What Might Happen?

Coach makes no intervention –lets
parents proceed with registration of child
–
–
–
–
–
Athlete competes and has chance to be selected
Risk of more damage to the body
Parents, not coach making decision
Coach abdicates responsibility of making decision
Conflict with parents likely avoided
What Might Happen?

Coach decides to allow athlete to
compete
– Athlete competes and has chance to be
selected
– Risk of more damage to the body
– Coach assumes authority and
responsibility of making decision
– Conflict with parents likely avoided
– Breach of club policy?
What Might Happen?

Coach decides not to allow athlete to
compete
– Athlete does not compete and chance to be selected
may be compromised
– Risk of more damage to the body is negated
– Coach assumes authority and responsibility of making
decision
– Conflict with parents is likely
– Provincial team coach may have come for nothing
Assessing Pros and Cons for
Decision or Action

Passing judgment on merit of each option
 Points of reference needed
– Values i.e. deep held beliefs
– Core coaching values in
• NCCP Code of Ethics
• Fair Play Philosophy
• Canadian Professional Coaches Association Statement of
Values
Assessing Pros and Cons
Outcome Criteria






1. Promotes positive outcome for majority
2. Minimizes negative implications
3. Potential negatives affect fewest people
4. No risk for physical , intellectual, emotional,
social development of person
5. Does not represent obstacle to goal
achievement
6. Protects interests of vulnerable
Assessing Pros and Cons
Means Criteria
Worksheet 2 pg. 15 Workbook
1. Fair and protects rights
 2. Consistent with established rules and
principles
 3. Consistent with past actions
 4. Respects authority of people
 5. Based on credible information

Values

NCCP Code of Ethics
– Physical safety and
health of athletes
– Coaching Responsibility
– Maintaining Integrity in
Relations with others
– Respect for Athletes
– Honouring Sport

Fair Play Principles
– Respect Rules of the
game
– Respect Officials and
accept their
decisions
– Respect the
Opponent
– Equal opportunities
– Maintain Dignity
Selecting the Best Option
Workbook pg. 6 - 2.1.4
Factors of Influence
Internal Factors
(see pg 20)
Personal Experiences
Personal Values
Personal Circumstances
Selecting the Best Option
Workbook pg. 6 - 2.1.4
Factors of Influence
External Factors
(see pg 20)
Economics and Politics
Severity of Situation
Organizational, Institutional
and Social Aspects
Impact on Coach’s Job
Athlete’s parents do performance
appraisal of coach
 Negative evaluation could terminate
contract
 Make promotion problematic in sport
organization

Development of Coach’s Career
Similar to “Coach’s job”
 Provincial coach frustrated for non
productive trip and could provide
obstacles for opportunities within the
sport

Coach’s Reputation
Yes, regardless of decision
 Athlete not authorized to compete:

– Coach perceived as someone who acts
according to convictions
– Cares about well being of athlete

Athlete authorized to compete:
– Vice versa to not authorized
– Influenced by pressure or power groups
Effect on Finances

Probably not
Undermine Personal Relations

If athlete not authorized to compete
– Conflict between parents and coach
– Comfort level between coach and
provincial team coach
– Athlete frustration if not selected to
provincial team
Immediate decision

Must be made within the hour
Detrimental to Delay
Yes;
 If athlete authorized to play possibility
injury could get worse

Question Social Conventions
Organization has policy regarding
authority of the coach
 Parents have legal responsibility of their
child
 Coach does not allow athlete to
compete, goes against wishes of
parents

Professional or Social Standards
Yes
 Coach has moral obligations to make
decisions in the best interests of the
athlete (i.e. NCCP Code of Ethics,
CPCA Statement of Values, Fair Play
Principles)
 Do No Harm Principle! Pg. 15 Reference Manual

Your Decision?
Why it is the best decision?
 Give rationale

Action Plan – Implementing the
Decision
Workbook page 18
 Who needs to know?
 What may happen?
 Ability to deal on your own?
 Plan B – what next if resolution doesn’t
work

NCCP Core Competencies

Problem-Solving
– Apply a formal decision making process
– Solve a complex situation

Valuing
– Differentiate between ethical and legal issues
– Understand rationale for Code of Ethics and basis
of values
– Appreciate hierarchy of values in moral dilemma
NCCP Core Competencies

Critical Thinking
– Evaluate options for decisions and actions
– Appreciate the influence of the Ethical Codes in
decision making

Leadership
– Make decisions that influence others
– Assume responsibility for decisions and
consequences

Interaction
– Exchange of ideas and opinions
– Explain rationale for decision