Table of Contents
Play Your Part: Prevent Burnout in Your Athletes Through Fighting Unhealthy Perfectionism
– David Barney, Karina Beus, and Marissa Coleman
Young athletes want to be successful in many aspects of their game. Unfortunately, some athletes allow their desire to be successful to turn into perfectionistic behaviors that do not benefit them and can lead to burnout. Coaches have a responsibility and want to help their athletes through their unhealthy perfectionism, but many coaches do not know how to do so. This article provides practical suggestions for coaches to help their athletes when they exhibit perfectionistic behaviors.
Articles
May the Force(s) be With You: The Utility of Using a Game-Based Approach to Teach Biomechanics
- Stuart Evans and Kellie Sanders
Many high school students fear and dislike introductory biomechanics, which can add to the challenges physical educators face in teaching and supporting their students’ learning. There is evidence that active and participative learning approaches can improve student engagement with and understanding of biomechanical concepts. This can be done by teaching the theoretical and practical components of biomechanics within a specific pedagogical approach, namely Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU). As TGfU has been shown to significantly improve student engagement and learning in a wide variety of other related disciplines, this article provides strategies for introducing biomechanics using the TGfU pedagogy framework—which may also benefit STEM engagement and the application of STEM-related knowledge.
Design Like an Egyptian: Using the ‘Pyramid Model’ to Design Tailor-Made Games for Student-Centered Physical Education Classes
- Mauro André
Student-centered pedagogical models (e.g., games-based approaches) have been encouraging physical education teachers to teach team and individual sports with game forms (small-sided and modified games) that promote play time for all students. These teaching methodologies promote students’ motivation and engagement and enable an easier transition between practice and application. Nevertheless, designing games that allow students to participate regardless of their diverse needs and skill levels while meeting specific learning objectives may not be an easy task. This article presents the pyramid model as a set of guidelines and principles to support teachers in designing games and activities that are exciting, engaging, and pedagogical.
Invited Article
Cooperative Learning to Enhance Social and Emotional Learning among Hispanic English Language Learners in Elementary Physical Education
- Wellington De Luna and Luis G. Estrada Oliver
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the challenges and opportunities for incorporating social and emotional learning (SEL) into physical education, especially in settings disrupted by remote learning. This article provides practical strategies for PE teachers to apply the cooperative learning (CL) model to help Hispanic English language learners (ELLs) develop crucial SEL skills. CL involves structured group activities that promote teamwork and communication, which are essential for students who face challenges with language and cultural barriers. By integrating activities like multicultural games, physical education teachers can create a supportive and engaging learning environment that encourages students to collaborate, understand different perspectives, and build emotional and social competencies. This approach also supports a more inclusive and empathetic classroom dynamic.
Departments
COACH'S CORNER
Top Tips for Starting a Sports Coaching Business
- Ian McClurg and Craig Parkes
The recommendations in this article came from two coaching colleagues and professional friends who reflected on their coaching careers as part of an action research project. The recommendations in this article primarily come from the perspective of the lead author’s coaching business experience, while the second author took on the role of providing feedback as the critical friend. It is hoped that this article will be of interest and value to coaches who are thinking of setting up their own sports coaching business.
COACH'S CORNER
Soccer Coaching Strategies for Teaching Children
- Hüseyin Ünlü, Ali Rıza Atıcı, Bijen Filiz, Ferman Konukman, and Andrew Sortwell
Soccer is one of the most favored sports among children ages 6 to 12 years old. Organized training rooted in pedagogical principles is essential to ensure children develop the needed skill and attain the desired benefits of soccer. This article provides practical tips for coaches to improve their coaching skills and create a positive and effective learning environment for their young players.
EDUCATOR'S CORNER
Connecting Mindfulness and the Affective Learning Domain
- Sharon Rice and John Stewart
In a difficult post-pandemic world, far too many students report feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. In response to this mental health crisis, educators increasingly emphasize affective or social and emotional learning. Mindfulness practices, implemented in and outside of the classroom, are potentially valuable affective learning tools.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
School Coaches in the United States: Insights from the National Coach Survey
- Samantha M. Bates, Vincent F. Minjares, Dawn Anderson-Butcher, Jennifer Brown Lerner, and Jon Solomon
Concerns exist about how the landscape of school sports is changing, leaving many school coaches feeling unprepared to meet the challenges of this role today. This article explores the status of school sports coaching by drawing on recent findings from the National Coach Survey, the first-of-its-kind survey in the United States released in 2022.