No matter how clearly youth sports organization leaders convey norms for acceptable behavior from players, parents, coaches and spectators, intervention may be required to protect the culture when inappropriate behavior occurs. How can you step in as a leader, effectively and efficiently? Consequences. If people know there are consequences for bad behavior, it will reduce the amount of people trying to “get away with it”.

In this book excerpt, PCA Founder Jim Thompson (@JimThompson18) references the “Broken Windows” theory of crime, the idea that neighborhoods in bad repair are subject to more crime because it appears that people in those areas do not protect their environment. Likewise, letting parents, coaches and athletes get away with violating organizational culture invites more such behavior. The organization's leaders are responsible for swiftly intervening to set a standard.

There are two different levels of interventions, outlined in more detail in the PDF below. The first is an informal level:

• Nonverbal prompt
• Gentle verbal reminder
• Assertive, but non-confrontational request to change behavior.

If those interventions fail, the following formal system can be invoked:

• Official warning
• Removal from the environment
• Publicizing the discipline imposed.

For expanded information on these intervention techniques, see the full book excerpt below.

This PDF was excerpted from Jim Thompson’s book Developing Better Athletes, Better People. To purchase the entire book, and to learn more about other PCA books, click here.

These books are used in PCA’s live workshops. To learn more about our interactive leader workshops, click here.