Philosophy of Middle School Athletics
By Mike Stark- Principal / AD Cheney Middle School
Dave Tikker- Executive Director- WSSAAA
INTRODUCTIONS
Configurations
No Cut
Budget Cuts Effect District
Philosophy
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of
times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the
age of foolishness, . . . . . we had everything
before us, we had nothing before us…”
Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, 1859
And
ANY U.S. Middle School Teacher/Coach
on ANY day of ANY School Year
Why is it Important to Discuss
Middle School Philosophy
– Many coaches begin their careers at this level, therefore,
they start with drills, game preparation/plans, and
motivational techniques similar to their most recent
experiences. (high school or collegiate)
– Middle School Experience Looks Different- We have
activities because of there educational valuePhilosophy and educational value should be
synonymous
What Characteristics of Middle School
Children Should Be Considered?
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1.
Values-- Peer Acceptance
– They want to be accepted by everyone and do not apply
selectivity
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2.
Perception-Limited
– What do my friends say?
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3.
Emotions--Peaks and Valleys
– Self-concerns
– Image and self-awareness are emerging and malleable
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4.
Decisions
– Impulsive
– Based on limited data
What
Characteristics of Middle School Children
Should Be Considered?
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5.
Physical Development--11 to 15 years old
– Speed, quickness, size, endurance
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6.
Intelligence--What range
– Cognitive Impaired to genius
Table Discussion
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What is your role as a middle school
coach?
Is it a personal philosophy?
District Mandated?
Combination of Both
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Program Philosophy
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The mission of middle-level athletics
should be to provide an enjoyable
educational experience for young
adolescents based on their
developmental characteristics and
needs.
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Program Philosophy
(Continued)

All athletic experiences must be viewed in terms
of
THE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS of the middle
school student and not the parents and / or the
coaches
Competition is kept in
perspective!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What Should You be Teaching Your Athletes
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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
High School Programs
Implications 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?

What is your focus?
–
–
–
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X and O’s- Skill Development
Winning
Participation
Little bit of each
Group Discussion

In light of the philosophy and
objectives suggested,
are the developmental
characteristics of your athletes
considered as a foundation for
your coaching and your districts
philosophy?
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“Don’t Forget the Athlete”
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The 12 Most Important Reasons Why Young Adolescents
Participate in Athletics:
1. To have fun
2. To improve skills
3. Competition excitement
4. To be part of a team
5 Challenge of competition
6. To stay in shape
–
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
To do something I’m good at
To win
A higher level of competition
To get exercise
To learn new skills
For the team spirit
Sample: 2000 boys, 1900 girls grades 7-12
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Defining the Philosophic Value
“To Have Fun.”
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#1 reason kids play sports and quit sports
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One outgrowth of sports participation is that up to 50% of
children who begin sport participation in grade 9 no longer
participate in school athletic programs after grade 10. The
percentage is higher for girls than boys. The common
reason given is “It wasn’t fun anymore!!!”

Is it possible that coaches and students have different
definitions of “fun”?
Defining the Philosophic Value
“To Have Fun.”.”
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Contributors to “FUN”
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Consistent application of rules
Well organized practices
Information-rich teaching and skill coaching
Focus on individual athlete and his/her personal knowledge
and skill needs
Constant encouragement to to improve
Recognition of individual improvements and work-ethic
End practices with encouragement and recognitions of good
work
Understanding “colors” one size does not fit all
Defining the Philosophic Value
“To Have Fun.”.”
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The term “to have fun” does not mean the absence of rules
and discipline
– Make positive rules that are athlete and team-centered.
– Coaches must recognize their responsibility to model
appropriate behavior at all times and they must motivate their
athletes to do the same.
– Coaches must be “Fair”
– Fun means fair treatment, individual recognition and
communication and a sense of self-worth established for every
athlete
Middle School Athletics
“Kids First……Winning Second”
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A Successful Middle Level Coach
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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
coaching style and communication methods
Athletics as a Motivational Tool for
Working With the Young Adolescent
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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
correlation:
• On an average, students who are involved in
extracurricular activities maintain higher grade point
averages and have better attendance patterns then the rest
of the student population.
• Extracurricular participation is the best predictor or
collegiate success
The Coach’s Influence
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YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST
INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN THEIR
LIVES:
– Don’t Under-estimate your influence
• Mike Stephens• 0-10 season teaches many lessons
– THINGS YOU SAY TODAY WILL BE
REMEMBERED FOR DECADES!
– .
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Middle School Athletics
Summary
“Athletic participation is a unique
forum for the education of children that
cannot be duplicated in the class room
setting”
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(NFHS Philosophy)
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