PCA PCA Honoring the Game (ROOTS) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In PCA's ROOTS framework, what does respecting 'Teammates' look like in practice?
- Never criticizing a teammate publicly (Correct answer)
- Competing against teammates for starting positions
- Celebrating only when personally succeeding
- Separating social life from team dynamics
Correct answer: Never criticizing a teammate publicly
Respecting teammates includes never tearing them down publicly, supporting them unconditionally, and building Emotional Tanks rather than draining them.
Question 2: How does PCA suggest coaches teach the ROOTS framework to athletes?
- Post it on a wall and expect self-directed learning
- Integrate ROOTS into team discussions, pre-game talks, and season rituals (Correct answer)
- Test athletes with written exams on ROOTS principles
- Only address ROOTS after rule violations occur
Correct answer: Integrate ROOTS into team discussions, pre-game talks, and season rituals
PCA recommends embedding ROOTS into the regular rhythm of team life—discussions, rituals, and pre-game conversations—not just reacting to incidents.
Question 3: What is the PCA-recommended response when the opposing team engages in poor sportsmanship?
- Retaliate to show toughness
- Use it as a chance to model Honoring the Game regardless of opponents' behavior (Correct answer)
- Report it to officials immediately
- Match their intensity to even the playing field
Correct answer: Use it as a chance to model Honoring the Game regardless of opponents' behavior
PCA teaches that Honoring the Game is unconditional—your team honors it regardless of what opponents do.
Question 4: According to PCA, why is respecting officials a critical part of Honoring the Game?
- Officials control roster decisions
- Officials represent the rules and their authority makes sport possible (Correct answer)
- Respecting officials guarantees favorable calls
- Officials are always correct in their calls
Correct answer: Officials represent the rules and their authority makes sport possible
PCA teaches that officials uphold the rules that make sport possible, and disrespecting them undermines the entire game structure.
Question 5: Which ROOTS element do coaches most commonly struggle with, according to PCA?
- Respecting the Sport
- Respecting Teammates
- Respecting Officials (Correct answer)
- Respecting Opponents
Correct answer: Respecting Officials
PCA identifies respecting officials as the most common ROOTS challenge for coaches, especially in high-pressure moments.
Question 6: How does PCA's Honoring the Game concept relate to its broader mission?
- It is a standalone disciplinary code unrelated to development
- It operationalizes the Double-Goal's life-lesson goal through specific respectful behaviors (Correct answer)
- It replaces the need for team rules
- It is only relevant at elite competitive levels
Correct answer: It operationalizes the Double-Goal's life-lesson goal through specific respectful behaviors
Honoring the Game is a practical expression of the Double-Goal's second goal—teaching life lessons like integrity, respect, and sportsmanship through sport.
PCA PCA Honoring the Game (ROOTS) 2
In PCA's ROOTS framework, what does respecting 'Teammates' look like in practice?