COACH-MEDIATED TEAM BUILDING IN YOUTH SPORTS

In youth sports, fostering the development of a positive and cohesive team climate is one objective of psychologically oriented training pro grams for coaches. This article reviews the theoretical and empirical bases for team building as developed within the field of industrial an d organizational psychology, as well as attempts that have been made t o evaluate the efficacy of team building in both organizational and ph ysical activity contexts. Next, we describe measures that can be taken by youth coaches to create a positive and enjoyable team atmosphere, drawing upon the empirically derived guidelines found in Coach Effecti veness Training. Finally, wt review experimental studies that demonstr ate that coach training can not only improve intrateam attraction, but can also have a variety of related positive outcomes for young athlet es, including heightened self-esteem, reduced performance anxiety, and lowered dropout rates. A premier youth soccer team that had had limit ed success in the past was taken over by a new coach. During the next season, the team became highly successful, finishing second at Nationa ls in its age classification. The following season, however, four key members of the team decided not to return. One quit soccer altogether and the rest joined other teams. As one of the players explained, ''Ye ah, we won but no one was really happy. Coach was a total jerk who was mean to everyone and took all the fun out of the game. The team prett y well disintegrated into warring cliques by midseason. We played grea t on the field, but there was no team unity. I'd rather play on a less talented team with a coach and players I Like than to go through that again.''