IN ACTION
Watch youth sport coaches from around the country put the principles from Play Positive and Positive Coaching Alliance to work with their athletes.

Parents often use practices and competitions as a springboard for conversations with their youth athletes. This video shows a father speaking with his son after a hockey practice, providing a great model for how parents can remain positive and encouraging.

This parent starts out by asking what the best part of practice was, and then listens to his son describe what he thought went well. In these conversations, the parents' listening is often the most important part. The father then starts many statements with “I noticed”, which is a great way to let the child know that you were paying attention. All of the feedback by the father is truthful and specific, another crucial component of these post-practice talks. And finally, the dad moves the child past practice and onto the next part of his day – dinner. Parents can impact a young athlete’s experience by recapping practice, and provide another great benefit by focusing children on other important aspects of their lives.

Positive Coaching Alliance is proud to have worked with Liberty Mutual Insurance to create this video and other powerful resources.