PCS Glossary

Double-Goal Coach

For many coaches, his or her first goal is to win. No matter what the cost, winning is the most important thing. 

However, for a Double-Goal Coach, the main focus is on the process of improvement as opposed to winning on the day. Although wanting to win, the Double-Goal Coach disciplines his/herself to coach for mastery, focusing on improvement and recognizing that winning is a byproduct of improvement through effort. This forms the cornerstone of the whole PCS philosophy.

The Double-Goal Coach uses three main principles to prepare athletes to win on the scoreboard while teaching life lessons: The ELM Tree of Mastery, Filling Emotional Tanks and Honouring the Game.

ELM Tree of Mastery

To get beyond the 'scoreboard mentality', we look to the ELM Tree of Mastery for young people to learn how to be the best they can be.  ELM stands for:

  • Effort
  • Learning
  • Mistakes  

True winning comes from giving your best possible Effort, continually improving by Learning every time you play, and maximising your potential by not being afraid to make Mistakes and getting better by learning from them.

Filling the Emotional Tank

People, like cars, need fuel to live.  But unlike cars, we need psychological fuel as well as the physical stuff like food and water.  This is especially important with children.  Their 'Emotional Tank' needs to be brimming over to get the most out their experience on the sports field and keep them motivated - so you can fill that tank by encouraging them, praising their effort, acknowledging their contributions and listening to what they have to say. 

  • Encouragement
  • Teach and discuss
  • Appreciate effort
  • Non verbal
  • Knowing how to build trust

Honouring the Game

In a society in which bending the rules is becoming commonplace and courtesy is short in supply, it is crucial to encourage young people to get to the ROOTS of Honouring the Game. ROOTS stands for respect for the Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self.

"As both a coach and parent, the over-riding goal is to ensure young people enjoy their sporting journey, have lots of fun and are taught as many character-building life lessons as possible along the way!"
Tommy Boyle
Programme Director
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