Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) partners with thousands of grassroots sports organizations across the country, from soccer leagues to swimming clubs, to support a positive youth sports experience for all kids. PCA also works with national governing bodies such as the First Tee, US Sailing, Little League International, and similar sports organizations.

Bring PCA To Your School or Organization

PCA attended the First Tee Network & Alumni Summit last week in Dallas, TX.  Over 550 representatives from First Tee chapters, both domestic and international, gathered to celebrate 25 years of impact and to learn and develop more ways to strengthen positive relationships and growth for youth golfers across the nation. PCA is proud to be entering into its third year, continuing its partnership provided through the SAGA Foundation to provide more resources and opportunities for the coaches and parents of First Tee.

The Network Summit was a great opportunity to reconnect in person for the first time in five years. The programming kicked off Thursday morning with a surprise guest appearance from former President George W. Bush who serves as Honorary Chair of First Tee.

PCA’s Marti Reed, Director of National Partnerships & DEI Programming Manager, led a Sports Can Battle Racism education session for 40 coaches. Coaches were able to attend and learn about ways to create a safe and welcoming space within their teams where all kids know that they belong.

Sports Can Battle Racism

After the first PCA session, First Tee hosted a Network luncheon for all of the PCA partnership chapters. There are 12 First Tee Chapters that are working with PCA locally and hosting workshops directly for their coaches, parents, and youth players.  The luncheon was a great opportunity for chapter administrators to learn about PCA programming and best practices to maximize the impact for their chapters.  Marti led two Double-Goal Coach®: Coaching for Winning & Life Lessons workshops at the First Tee Summit to certify more coaches on how to teach life lessons through sports and create positive atmospheres for players and parents.

PCA is extremely proud to have been a part of the Summit, helping to leave the First Tee chapter network feeling more inspired, empowered, and motivated to continue their great work in Building Game Changers and making a difference in the lives of millions of kids and teens.  We are thrilled to honor First Tee as our November Partner of the Month! 

Pictured left to right: Marti Reed (PCA's Dir. of National Partnerships), Ali Miller (First Tee's Manager of Programs Training), Jason Sacks (PCA's President).

Top 5 Takeaways to Incorporate Double-Goal Coaching into First Tee Principles:

1. When coaching, come up with three effort-based feedback statements for each activity-based goal on your lesson intention. Being “Mastery Driven” is a First Tee Building Block to balance process & outcome feedback.
2. Consider using “Good-Better-How” to help your participants accept mistakes and fill the emotional tank. Share three things we did good, one thing we can do better, and one way (the how) to do it next time. 
3. When teaching the 4Rs (Relax, Replay, Ready Redo), allow players to insert a mistake ritual.
4. Start and end each lesson by having players share something that they or someone else did well today. 
5. In your lesson prep ask yourself,  What are some common pitfalls I’ve seen before? Can I set up an activity that addresses them? What/if question feedback formula: “What do you think would happen if…”

If you are interested in bringing PCA to your organization’s national gathering or interested in learning about a local partnership, please click here.