Honoring the Game: The Responsible Coach’s Code - ROOTS

Responsible Coaches conduct themselves by a code, which Positive Coaching Alliance calls "Honoring the Game." To remember components of this code, remind yourself and your players that Honoring the Game means respecting the sport's ROOTS, where ROOTS stands for Rules, Opponents, Officials, Teammates and Self.

R Rules

O Opponents

O Officials

T Teammates

S Self

This aspect of Responsible Coaching lets you lead by example. When your players and their parents see you keep your temper in check, for example, when an official misses a call, they are more likely to check their own tempers.
Granted, this is not easy! Listen to how Coach Greg Schiano keeps his cool when officials make questionable calls.

It is important in stressful situations in a game for Responsible Coaches to have-- and practice -- a self-control routine. For example:

  • take a deep breath,
  • remind yourself of the discipline required NOT to react
  • engage in self-talk ("I need to be a role model. I can rise above this!")
  • turn away from the action
  • count to 20 (or 50!),
  • quickly refocus on the next play.

Later, you can use the experience as a teachable moment with your players: "I was pretty upset with what happened, but I controlled myself so I wouldn't do anything that would dishonor the game. And that's an important lesson I want you to learn from sports -- how to develop your own self-control so you will always Honor the Game no matter what."

Do you think there is an effective way to approach an official after a bad call? Depending on your sport, you may be able to ask officials, "Can you let me know what you saw on that last play?" By staying calm, keeping your voice low, giving the official plenty of space and asking a question about what they saw (rather than outright questioning the accuracy of their call), you'll have the best chance of having a constructive interaction with the official.

Because today's youth sports environment can so often be volatile, and even violent, it is important to prevent any outraged coach, player or parent from boiling over. The most distressing part of the pro, college and youth sports incidents that make Positive Coaching Alliance's annual Bottom 10 Moments in Sports is that too many youth athletes, coaches and parents emulate those examples.

Next » Introducing "Honoring the Game" to Your Team