5 Myths about the Positive Coaching (PCA) program

Myth 1 – Only a few people ever go to those Positive Coaching (PCA) workshops.

Fact: Over 2,600 parents from our League have attended PCA workshops as of 2005.

Myth 2 – Nobody enjoys the Positive Coaching (PCA) workshops; the workshops are dry and boring.

Fact: People say the workshops are fun, informative, and immediately useful. We've received overwhelmingly positive feedback via email, phone and in person from both parents and coaches about the workshops. Here are a couple examples of feedback we've received:

“I had the opportunity this week to attend the Positive Coaching Alliance workshop that [our team’s coach] has been encouraging us to attend. It was more than fantastic! The presenters / leaders are extremely entertaining and have the necessary experience to be leading these workshops.. It gave me a great perspective on youth sports and how to be the best parent possible to children playing youth sports.”

“The Coaches workshop was beneficial with its coaching tools, goals and themes for positive attitudes. The experience was enriching and I think that anybody that works with children should be exposed to the workshop.”

Myth 3 – PCA workshops are only necessary for new coaches & parents of young players.

Fact: The PCA model is beneficial for all players, of all ages and levels of competition. If you think it’s only relevant for recreational play at the younger age levels, think again. Professional coaches like Phil Jackson, spokesperson for the PCA, uses positive coaching techniques. Our Bay Oaks teams – the most select teams in JLYSL – have exceeded the participation requirement with an average of 6 or more workshop attendees per team. Positive coaching has value at all levels of play.

Myth 4 – The PCA does these workshops to make tons of money.

The Positive Coaching Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1998. Over time the PCA hopes to cover an increasing percentage of their costs through providing services to youth sports organizations, coaches, and parents. However, the PCA is highly reliant upon donations from individuals and foundations that share a passion for the PCA mission to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth.

PCA was formed to help youth sports organizations and schools move away from the "win-at-all-cost" mentality that is so prevalent in today's sports culture. PCA teaches coaches, administrators, athletes and parents how to use the sports experience to help young people learn "life lessons" and positive character traits that will help them be successful throughout their lives.

Myth 5 – It’s impossible to get into a workshop: there’s only one workshop each season and it’s unbelievably crowded.

Fact: Since the inception of the Positive Coaching (PCA) program in Jack London, we've held 10 or more workshops per year. The JLYSL Board believes the program can make JLYSL soccer a better experience for everyone if every team participates, and is fully committed to making the workshops accessible to all in the League. All coaches workshops, whether hosted by the League or by a Club, are open to all coaches (subject to seating limitations). The same is true for parent workshops. See Workshops to find a list of upcoming events.

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