I’m still processing the taunt-and-punch from the Oregon-Boise State game and Serena Williams and Roger Federer going negative while losing tennis matches recently. The Duck and Bronco players were unknown to me, but I have admired Williams and Federer for a long time as individuals who typically Honor the Game.
My overwhelming reaction is that each of these actions demonstrates weakness on the part of the individual. Although responding violently or nastily when things go wrong may seem like toughness, it really is a loss of composure, which is a sign of weakness.
Because most people want to appear strong and in control, it would be wonderful if the public saw loss of composure for what it is: a weakness. Then perhaps athletes (and other public figures) would work harder to retain their poise, knowing that a loss of composure would cry out “Weakling!” to the general public.
Want to learn even more? Jim Thompson, Founder and Executive Director of the PCA, has written several books on the topic:
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Positive Coaching Workshops
Bring Positive Coaching to your school or youth sports organization through a partnership with Positive Coaching Alliance centered on live group workshops for your organization's leaders, coaches, parents and athletes. Since PCA's founding at Stanford University in 1998, more than 1,100 schools and youth sports organizations throughout the country have used our research-based techniques to:
- Prepare youth athletes from pre-school through high school for success in life on and off the playing fields
- Emphasize character-education and life lessons through sports
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Visit our Workshop page to register and learn more!
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The mission of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) is to transform youth sports so sports can transform youth. Through partnerships with more than 1,100 youth sports organizations, leagues, schools and cities nationwide, PCA has conducted 5,000-plus workshops for youth sports coaches, parents, organizational leaders and athletes. Since Executive Director Jim Thompson founded PCA as a non-profit within the Stanford University Athletic Department in 1998, PCA has helped create a positive, character-building youth sports environment for more than 3 million youth athletes.
