It’s all about Grassroots Coaching / Level 5 – Mascots & Stadiums

It’s all about Grassroots Coaching   / Level 5 – Mascots & Stadiums

Our review of each of the levels in The Taxonomy of Competition continues this week.  Level 5 will be an environment that many aspire to. We have chosen to include an excerpt from our book - Grassroots Coaching. Using Sports Psychology and Coaching Principles Effectively.

Status of Individual: The Person – The Player – The Performer

Structure of Games/Sports Activities Format: Highly organized Games and operations with media involvement.

Entity Involved: Organization’s Team and Community

Relationship with teammates and opponents: Playing with and for your teammates and against    your opponents.

People Involved: Coaches, Teammates, Administration/Management, Officials, Family, Friends,     Fans, and Community.

Competition Status: Competition is the focus. Winning and Losing are Significant.

External Recognition: Trophies, Medals, Awards, Scholarships, Endorsements, and Status

Parental Role: Supporter and Spectator.

Application of appropriate skill & strategy: Acquisition of skill and strategy accompanies  ‘demand’ to execute.

Competition at Level 5 gets supersized and glorified. Competitive complexity increases dramatically. As an analogy, think moving from the cozy neighborhood high school bleachers into stadiums with video boards, luxury boxes, and snazzy concession stands. There is pomp and circumstance to Level 5 competition, though many of the elements of Level 4 remain. 

The Person continues with both The Player and The Performer manifesting in Level 5. The expectation is now for The Person to both grow and develop as The Player; while The Performer shines brightly under the glow of stadium lights, on television, on an enlarged stage.

There is an increase in external rewards and recognitions associated with Level 5 competitions. Trophies, medals, sponsorship, fundraising, and scholarship dollars are at stake. The prizes connected to performance of an individual or team demands execution and polished performances. The safety net for players and coaches becomes much smaller. 

Playing time is earned. Playing Time is competed for in practice. Teammates may in fact be competing with each other for the same position and the finite resource of playing time. The importance of the name on the front of the jersey grows. Teams are often associated with the Organization that they represent; University of Hills Lions, Fencepost University Tigers. Island State University Longhorns. Players can further lose their individual identity. 

The Team’s organization often represents a community. Performance of the team connects into the fabric and identity of an organization and community. Winning creates ‘A Winner’ and Losing creates ‘A Loser’. Communities can become defined by these results. An organization’s personification of results increases the competitive pressure felt by athletes and coaches. Players themselves become associated with this winning and losing. 

The Coaches’ role continues to gain importance. Athletes need support and guidance. Growing as The Player demands further acquisition and refinement of skills and strategies. Coaches and the athletes collaborate with this learning.  The learning is focused on execution at the appropriate moment. 

There is a real challenge and opportunity to perform under the watchful eyes of coaches, organizations, media, and fans. Helping players embrace this responsibility and celebrate its benefits is an important role of a Coach at Level 5. Coaches assist with the creation of the platform for The Performer to safely emerge. 

Tickets are sold - Family, friends, fans show-up to games to cheer and support their teams. There is an expectation of high-level performance and entertainment. Parental relationships further evolve from the fan in the folding chair to the fan in the stands. Their support and love are provided to The Person. They will have little influence over The Player, The Performer or the Coach.

Successful navigation of Level 5 calls for the right balance of readiness and development. Few athletes reach this level of proficiency and performance. Athletes are still growing and maturing at this level, though more will be closer to the end than the beginning of their athletic careers. Emotional maturity is paramount to be able to manage the external pressures. 

Competing at this level is exhilarating. There is pressure and excitement. The need to improve is constant. Status and stature are by-products. Being part of a team that’s connected to a community is amazing. 

Yet, a simple fact remains. The Person – The Player – The Performer should

remain inspired by the joy of playing the game.     – P. McGahey