High School Coaches Research Articles

Sport Psychology Teaching Approaches for High School Coaches and Their Student-Athletes

Coaches lacking a formal background in sport psychology may shy away from teaching these skills in favor of teaching physical skills with which they are more familiar. Other coaches may assume that athletes will learn sport psychology skills as a byproduct of their coaching pedagogy. Regardless, high school coaches are responsible for teaching sport psychology skills to the student-athletes in their charge. The purpose of this article is to describe three different approaches to teach sport psychology skills to high school student-athletes. Based in the psychological UNIFORM curriculum, athletes will benefit from the intentional nature of the approaches, while the teaching formats will assist coaches pedagogically. Modifications and appropriate shortcuts are also suggested for coaches who want to teach sport psychology skills, but may lack the resources and/or time to create these materials.

Evidências de validade para uma medida de estilos de aprendizagem

This study aimed at obtaining validity evidence for a learning style scale and at analyzing student’s learning styles. The study included 709 students from professional technical education. We used a Scale of Learning Styles, with 80 items for the description of the preferred styles, and evaluated five dimensions, namely: environmental, social, instrumental, personal, and activity conditions. We applied the test collectively on the day and time set by each educational institution. A factor analysis with varimax rotation indicated three-factor structure for the scale. The factors were grouped as follows: factor 1 – personal terms and conditions of activity, with 16 items (? = 0,78); factor 2 – environmental conditions, with 11 items (? = 0,79); factor 3 – social conditions, with 11 items (? = 0,81). Overall, we observed that the students were more personal conditions and activity style-oriented. A scale that can map students’ learning styles is relevant to Brazilian education because it allows students to know their learning preferences and can provide them with better learning conditions. Keywords: styles; learning styles; cognitive styles; psychological assessment; high school coach.

Putting Coach Confirmation Research into Practice: How to Confirm Youth and High School Athletes and Coach More Effectively

This article focuses on how coaches can utilize a prosocial coaching behavior referred to as confirmation to promote positive experiences and development for youth and high school athletes. Confirmation centers on making athletes feel recognized, valued, supported and connected to others — all of which are goals of modern prosocial coaching movements. In an effort to accomplish these goals, this article presents six specific strategies that coaches can enact to make their athletes feel confirmed.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Skill of High School Coaches with Regard to the Female Athlete Triad

Study ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge high school coaches have about the female athlete triad and to determine if gender differences in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors exist. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingTwenty-six high schools in and around the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio. ParticipantsTwo-hundred currently employed high school coaches. InterventionsParticipants completed a 30-question survey used to assess knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors coaches had about the female athlete triad. Main Outcome MeasuresDescriptive statistics (means, SD, frequency) and gender differences in response to triad knowledge, attitude, and behavior questions. ResultsOne hundred twenty-three high school coaches completed the survey. Survey respondents were between 25 and 35 years of age, coached for 6-10 years, and coached female athletes 75%-100% of the time. Twenty-four percent reported “having heard of the triad” and 14% (17 of 123) were able to correctly name all of its components. There were no significant differences between gender and the coach's ability to correctly name the 3 triad components (t = 1.47, P = .14). There was no correlation between coach gender (r = 0.13, P = .07), age (r = 0.07, P = .42), number of years of coaching (r = 0.014, P = .88), and coach's knowledge of the triad components, respectively. ConclusionFemale athletes might be at risk for developing the female athlete triad and high school coaches can be instrumental in identifying athletes who are at risk. This study showed that gaps in knowledge about the triad exist and that educating coaches about the condition could serve as an important means of prevention for the condition.

When the High School Coach Is a Bully.

Though it is known that a minority of bully coaches exist, statistics regarding the actual prevalence of bully coaches in high schools are not well researched. School nurses may be placed in a consultative role with student athletes and their family members. Resource availability and suggestions for a plan of action are important for the school nurse. Support and encouragement for student athletes is critical for the development of positive mental health for young adults; therefore, families, peers, school personnel, and school nurses must all work together to produce positive sports experiences for high school age students.

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Fluid Hydration of Athletes by Jamaican Track and Field High School Coaches

Knowledge and Attitudes towards Fluid Hydration of Athletes by Jamaican Track and Field High School Coaches

Character Development Through Youth Sport: High School Coaches’ Perspectives about a Character-based Education Program

This study examined high school sports coaches’ perspectives about a character-based coach education workshop designed to promote positive coaching practices and transform the culture of youth sports. Fifteen coaches (Mage = 42.07, SD = 14.62, 73.3% male) provided feedback about Positive Coaching Alliance’s (PCA) “Double-Goal Coach” training program and what aspects of the workshop they applied to their coaching practices. Results indicated that coaches believed that participation in PCA workshops contributed to the value coaches attributed to individuals, to coach-oriented character development, and to positive relationships within youth sports. The coaches also suggested changes in future PCA workshops. These findings provide preliminary evidence that coaches’ incorporate skills acquired through participation in character-based coach education programs. We discuss implications for coaches and athletes, and for policies aimed at enhancing positive youth attributes developed through sport.

Skills trained by coaches of Canadian male volleyball teams: A comparison with long-term athlete development guidelines

Volleyball Canada and Volleyball Quebec developed long-term athlete development models in order to guide volleyball coaches concerned with athlete development. These models propose guidelines about the development of skills. However, it has yet to be determined whether coaches apply long-term athlete development guidelines in their coaching practice. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to describe the amount of time devoted to the various skills trained by four volleyball coaches of different levels and to compare these training skills with the long-term athlete development guidelines. The results of this multiple case study (n = 4) indicated that based on long-term athlete development guidelines, (a) college and university coaches over-trained technical skills; (b) high school coaches and university coaches undertrained individual tactical skills; and (c) high school coaches over-trained team tactical skills. Corrective measures that might help coaches apply the long-term athlete development guidelines are changes in the access to training facilities, competition schedules, and coach education programs.

Not Just an Athlete: The Impact of High School Coaches on the Educational Pursuit of First-year African American College Football Players

Elite high school football players face a barrage of pressures from their external environment that determine where they attend college as well as what factors, whether academic or athletic, they consider in a school. This study aims to analyze the relationship between African American high school football players, who go on to play intercollegiate football, and their high school football coaches. African American freshmen football players at a predominantly white institution in the Southwest United States were interviewed. The responses were compared and analyzed using two tenants of critical race theory (CRT): the centrality of experiential knowledge and the challenge to the dominant ideology. In an educational context, CRT utilizes storytelling and the experiences of people of color to highlight their experiences against the dominant culture in order to transform the educational environment for the benefit of marginalized people. After analyzing the interview transcriptions, the researchers found that these athletes were positively influenced by their high school coaches to perform well academically in high school, as well as to consider academics as a major point of emphasis in choosing to attend a university. Athletes developed positive relationships with their coaches, regardless of the sport in which they coached, that encouraged them to perform well academically and see college as a means to attain a degree as opposed to an avenue to professional athletics. This positive relationship contrasted some previous literature about college students that suggested that college coach–athlete relationship could be a major source of exploitation and stress for the athletes. Overall, the research found that these coaches were a source of positive influence on these student–athlete's lives athletically, personally, and academically.

English

The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge and opinions on concussions of high school coaches from a geographically large yet rural state in the northern Rocky Mountains of the United States. Few medical issues in sport are more important, or have had as much publicity recently, as concussions. The exposure gleaned from tragic health issues among professional athletes postconcussion has motivated college and professional sport agencies to modify and enact strict guidelines in the diagnosis and treatment of suspected concussions. Yet underdiagnosis and mistreatment by some (former University of Michigan coach in 2014) highlight the need for continued education and enforcement of the current guidelines. Obviously, when a head coach from a major NCAA Division I university still places an athlete's health in jeopardy by disregarding a head injury, it is imperative that coaches' knowledge of concussions in smaller, more rural and remote programs is considered as well. We used a commercial electronic product to survey coaches across the state. Coaches responded voluntarily with their opinions and their current knowledge of issues related to concussions. The purpose was to identify the current status of knowledge and attitudes in hopes that any weaknesses can be addressed in additional coach education opportunities. Keywords concussions; high school coaches; rural state; knowledge; attitudes Language: en

Canadian High School Coaches’ Experiences, Insights, and Perceived Roles With Sport-Related Concussions

There is a need to improve concussion education and prevention efforts for youth athletes and those responsible for their care. The purpose of this study was to understand Canadian high school coaches’ insights and perceptions of concussions. Using a case study design, eight high school coaches were interviewed and the data were analysed using a hierarchical content analysis. Findings indicated that participants primarily acquired information about concussions through their own experiences as athletes and parents, and from reports in the sports media. The coaches’ felt their role with concussions was to teach athletes safety techniques during practices and competitions and to encourage them to accurately report their concussion symptoms. In addition, participants forwarded a number of recommendations to improve the dissemination of information to coaches. Results from this study will add to a limited body of concussion research with youth sport coaches. Participants’ insights provide researchers and clinicians with information about coaches’ perceived role with sport-related concussions.

Coping with the Stress of Athletic Injury: How Coaches Can Help

Sport participation can be a stressful experience for some high school athletes. Sustaining a sport injury can further increase athletes' stress levels. Coaches may feel uncomfortable interacting with injured athletes and can unconsciously or purposefully marginalize them. However, coaches have a responsibility toward all of their athletes, including those who are injured. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to inform high school coaches about some of the stressors that athletes face when injured and suggest strategies that may help their athletes cope with and recover from injury. The experiences of a softball player who suffered a difficult shoulder injury (i.e., a labrum tear) are also shared to illustrate the stressors and suggested coping strategies.

Our Boys and The Last Shot: Examples of the Power of Community Involvement in Underprivileged America

The central focus of this essay was to examine different socio-cultural structures that affect high school aged athletes in seemingly different impoverished areas in the United States. Specifically, narratives in the popular press books The Last Shot and Our Boys were explored in order to highlight similarities and differences between the high school athletes in these two different urban and rural environments. In all, four factors that showcase the power of community involvement in underprivileged America emerged: the values promoted by the high school coach, the socioeconomic status of the community, the public education system, and the battle between the desire to escape the community and fear of the unknown. The implications of community involvement are discussed and avenues for future research are presented.

Factors influencing high school coaches' adoption of injury prevention programs.

Despite documented efficacy of injury prevention programs (IPPs) to reduce sport-related lower extremity injury risk, there is evidence of a lack of widespread IPP adoption by high school coaches. This study identified factors related to non-adoption of IPPs by assessing coaches' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to prevention programs and comparing attitudes between adopter and non-adopter coaches. Cross-sectional. Head soccer and basketball coaches (n=141) from 15 Oregon high schools were invited to complete a web-based survey assessing their IPP-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Of the 66 coach respondents, 52% reported being aware of IPPs; 21% reported using an IPP with their team; and 9% reported having their student-athletes perform the IPP exactly as designed. No apparent differences in the attitudes toward the importance of injury prevention or the effectiveness of IPPs were identified between coaches that did and did not adopt an IPP. Perceptions that efficacious IPPs do not offer a relative advantage over coaches' existing practices, do not align with coaches' needs (compatibility), and are difficult to implement in their setting (complexity) emerged as key factors underlying coaches' decisions not to adopt a program. Of those that did report adopting an IPP, just 43% (6/14) reported implementing the program as designed. Improving preventative practices of high school coaches requires more than improved dissemination to increase coach awareness. To improve the rate of IPP adoption and implementation fidelity, coach education should directly address issues related to relative advantage, compatibility, and complexity.

Developing High School and Youth Coaches through the Concepts of Deliberate Practice

Developing High School and Youth Coaches through the Concepts of Deliberate Practice

Knowledge and management of sports concussions among coaches and certified athletic trainers in Alabama.

To identify modifiable barriers in resources, knowledge, and management that may improve the care of young athletes with concussions in the state of Alabama. An electronic survey was distributed to 2668 middle and high school coaches of contact sports in Alabama, and a paper survey was completed by 79 certified athletic trainers (ATCs) in 2010. Questions focused on their resource availability, knowledge of concussions based on the 2008 Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport (commonly known as the Zurich consensus statement), and management of concussions. A total of 402 (16% response rate) coaches and 55 ATCs (70% response rate) responded to the survey. This study highlights that ATC coverage often is limited to the high school level, football, and competitions. Both coaches and ATCs primarily use physicians to make return-to-play decisions, although coaches (43.7%) usually refer to primary care physicians, whereas ATCs (43.6%) refer to orthopedic or sports medicine physicians. The study also revealed that coaches and ATCs desire education and could expand concussion awareness by providing education to parents and athletes. No overall difference was seen in the knowledge and management of concussions between coaches and ATCs; however, ATCs were more likely to identify symptoms that are positive for concussions (P = 0.04). Both groups had difficulty recognizing subtle symptoms such as trouble sleeping, personality changes, and dizziness; they also were unaware that strenuous mental activities could delay concussion recovery, although ATCs scored significantly better than coaches (P < 0.001). Neither coaches nor ATCs consistently use standardized measures such as the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (7.5% vs 56.4%) or neuropsychological testing (5.3% vs 14.5%). This study describes coaches' and ATCs' varying knowledge and management techniques and highlights areas in which targeted interventions and outreach could be useful. These areas include increased ATC availability, coach/ATC concussion education, improved parent/athlete education, increased "return to think" awareness, and more consistent use of Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 2.

The secondary school football coach's relationship with the athletic trainer and perspectives on exertional heat stroke.

Prior researchers have examined the first-aid knowledge and decision making among high school coaches, but little is known about their perceived knowledge of exertional heat stroke (EHS) or their relationships with an athletic trainer (AT). To examine secondary school football coaches' perceived knowledge of EHS and their professional relationship with an AT. Qualitative study. Web-based management system. Thirty-eight secondary school head football coaches (37 men, 1 woman) participated in this study. Their average age was 47 ± 10 years old, and they had 12 ± 9 years' experience as a head football coach. Participants responded to a series of online questions that were focused on their perceived knowledge of EHS and professional relationships with ATs. Data credibility was established through multiple-analyst triangulation and peer review. We analyzed the data by borrowing from the principles of a general inductive approach. Two dominant themes emerged from the data: perceived self-confidence of the secondary school coach and the influence of the AT. The first theme highlighted the perceived confidence, due to basic emergency care training, of the coach regarding management of an emergency situation, despite a lack of knowledge. The second theme illustrated the secondary school coach's positive professional relationships with ATs regarding patient care and emergency procedures. Of the coaches who participated, 89% (34 out of 38) indicated positive interactions with their ATs. These secondary school coaches were unaware of the potential causes of EHS or the symptoms associated with EHS, and they had higher perceived levels of self-confidence in management abilities than indicated by their perceived knowledge level. The secondary school football coaches valued and understood the role of the AT regarding patient and emergency care.

A Multi-Institutional Examination of the Relationships Between High School Activity Involvement and Leadership Characteristics

Developing leaders is vital to the future of our nation. As institutions of higher education address the need for leadership through courses and experiences, there is a need to recognize and acknowledge the potential impact of high school activity participation on leadership development. This descriptive-correlational study surveyed first-time college students about their former participation in high school activities. The objective was to determine the relationship between student activity participation and leadership characteristics. Results of this study revealed that incoming college students (n = 388) participated more in community service and athletics than any other activities during their high school experience. Students rated themselves highest in the leadership constructs of Integrity and Intelligence, and lowest in regard to Leadership Efficacy and Charisma. Leadership Efficacy, Sociability and Charisma constructs exhibited the strongest positive relationship with high school activity participation. However, the strength of the relationships and the corresponding effect sizes were small. Based on the findings, high school teachers, advisors, mentors and coaches should be encouraged to actively and purposefully facilitate the development of leadership characteristics through the programs and activities they supervise. Further research is warranted to provide additional insight into the potential relationship between student activity participation and the development of leadership characteristics.

CURRENT KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE TOWARD CONCUSSION AMONG JAPANESE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND COACHES, AND EFFECTIVENESS OF EDUCATIONAL INTERVENTION

BackgroundRecent studies have emphasized the concussion education for all individuals who are involved in school sanctioned athletic activities.Objective(1) to investigate current knowledge and awareness of concussion among junior high school...

Implementation of Concussion Legislation and Extent of Concussion Education for Athletes, Parents, and Coaches in Washington State

Background: Most states in the United States have passed laws regarding concussions, but little is known regarding the implementation of these laws. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey high school coaches 3 years after the passage of a concussion law to evaluate the variation in concussion education and knowledge in the context of this law as well as measure the effects of sport (football vs soccer) and urban versus rural locations. The hypothesis was that concussion education and knowledge would be more extensive in football compared with soccer and in urban locations compared with rural locations. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: A mixed-methods (paper and online) survey was conducted in 2012 to 2013 on a random sample of public high school football, girls’ soccer, and boys’ soccer coaches in Washington State, stratified by urban and rural locality. The survey covered the extent of concussion education for coaches, athletes, and parents as well as coaches’ concussion knowledge and experience. Results: Of 496 coaches contacted, 270 responded (54.4%). Nearly all coaches answered concussion knowledge questions correctly, and nearly all coaches received education via ≥2 modalities (written, video, slide presentation, test, and in person). Athlete education was less extensive, with 34.7% exposed to ≥2 modalities and 29.5% only signing a concussion information form. Parent education was even more limited, with 16.2% exposed to ≥2 modalities and 57.9% only signing a concussion information form. Significantly more football than soccer coaches gave their athletes an in-person talk about concussions (59.1% vs 39.4%, respectively; P = .002) and provided concussion education to athletes via ≥2 modalities (44.1% vs 29.7%, respectively; P = .02). Concussion education for coaches and parents was similar between sports, and concussion education for all parties was similar in urban and rural localities. Conclusion: Three years after the passage of a concussion law in Washington State, high school football and soccer coaches are receiving substantial concussion education and have good concussion knowledge. Concussion education for athletes and parents is more limited. Football players receive more extensive concussion education than do soccer players. Clinical Relevance: Clinicians should be aware that athletes and parents may not be receiving significant concussion education.