Rudolf Dreikurs - Logical Consequences

We would like to complete the Rudolf Dreikurs series with a process that is very critical for coaches of young players, viz., Logical Consequences. There are times when the coach is confronted with misbehavior from the player and punishment seems to be the only solution to the problem - "The punishment must fit the crime.”

Lashing out or getting even is how some students compensate for real or imagined hurt feelings. The target of the revenge may be the coach, other players, or both. Revenge may come in the form of a physical and/or psychological attack.

Dreikurs’ idea is that misbehavior stems from "mistaken goals" to gain attention, power, seek revenge, or from feelings of inadequacy. Instead of punishment, Dreikurs proposed that teachers (coaches) should identify the mistaken goal, build a sense of belonging, and encourage students through mutual respect. Dreikurs believed that the best way to correct misbehavior was with logical consequences, a positive action.

Examples of Logical Consequences

Reactions to misbehaviors/transgressions can be handled as learning, growth experiences. Here are three examples of the way we have dealt with a problem in our book and in earlier blogs:

Misbehaver: Stan the Star

Transgression: He refused to do all of the required warmup laps.

Coaches’ Action: He didn’t allow Stan to do other activities, e.g., batting practice.

Danger: The team's integrity was endangered. The coach's fairness would be in question.

Final result: Stan completed the final lap and joined in the activities. 

Misbehaver: Helene the Hitter

Transgression: She threw the bat at the backstop when called out for the third strike. She broke Rights and Responsibilities #5 The Right to be safe.  The Responsibility to not endanger others.

Coaches’ Action: He took her bat away from her until she reviewed and agreed to R & R #5 with a coach.

Danger: Someone could have been hurt - Poor social behavior.

Final result: Helene reviewed R & R #5 with the coach, agreed that she had done wrong, and stated that she would improve her behavior.

Misbehavers: The Falcon team players.

Transgression: They refused to accept a new team member because he “doesn’t belong with our group”. They were possibly unaware of their behavior.

Coaches’ Action: He called a team meeting and reviewed R & R #10 - The right to be a member of this team. He also reviewed and re-accepted The Wolf and the Pack.

Danger: If the coach allowed the players to treat another player as an inferior person, team integrity was endangered as well as racism was being ignored.

Final result: Players realized what was happening and changed their actions and perceptions.