Strength and Conditioning Coaching Practice and Positive Youth Athletic Development: Context-Specific Application of the Developmental Relationships Framework

Abstract

ABSTRACT STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACHES HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO POSITIVELY INFLUENCE SOUND, HOLISTIC ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT IN SPORT. POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT (PYD) IS AN INTENTIONAL PROSOCIAL APPROACH DESIGNED TO SUPPORT GROWTH, LEARNING, AND SUCCESS. THIS ARTICLE FOCUSES ON THE INTERPERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE COACH TO CONSIDER HOW SHE/HE CAN MAKE AND SUSTAIN POSITIVE CONNECTIONS WITH ATHLETES. CONTEXT-SPECIFIC APPLICATION OF THE DEVELOPMENTAL RELATIONSHIPS FRAMEWORK DEMONSTRATES HOW THE COACH CAN INITIATE AND SUSTAIN HIGH-QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS. PYD CONFIRMS THAT YOUTH ATHLETE EMPOWERMENT RELIES ON COACHING PRACTICE THAT INTEGRATES SUPPORT FOR PERSONAL, SOCIAL, AND EMOTIONAL GROWTH ALONGSIDE PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT.