PCA PCA Parent & Community Engagement 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: PCA recommends that coaches create a 'Parent Contract' or agreement that covers which of the following?
- Playing time guarantees
- Financial contributions to the program
- Expected behaviors at games and how to support athletes (Correct answer)
- Coaching evaluation criteria
Correct answer: Expected behaviors at games and how to support athletes
PCA's parent agreement focuses on expected positive behaviors—sideline conduct, post-game interactions, and emotional support—not logistics.
Question 2: What does PCA teach about parents who live vicariously through their child's athletic achievements?
- It is natural and should be encouraged
- It can lead to tank-draining pressure and undermine the child's intrinsic motivation (Correct answer)
- It has no meaningful impact on athletes
- It improves performance through positive pressure
Correct answer: It can lead to tank-draining pressure and undermine the child's intrinsic motivation
PCA warns that vicarious living creates unhealthy pressure, drains emotional tanks, and shifts motivation from intrinsic to external validation.
Question 3: How does PCA describe the ideal parent sideline behavior during a game?
- Cheer for all players, not just their own child (Correct answer)
- Provide tactical instructions to their child throughout the game
- Remain silent to avoid distraction
- Correct officials when calls are missed
Correct answer: Cheer for all players, not just their own child
PCA encourages parents to cheer positively for all players, creating a tank-filling atmosphere for the entire team.
Question 4: What timing rule does PCA recommend for parents who want to discuss concerns with the coach?
- Immediately after the game on the field
- During halftime when coaches are more available
- 24 hours after the game, when emotions have settled (Correct answer)
- Before the game during warm-ups
Correct answer: 24 hours after the game, when emotions have settled
PCA's '24-hour rule' asks parents to wait at least 24 hours after a game before approaching coaches with concerns.
Question 5: According to PCA, how should coaches respond to parents who undermine the team by criticizing the coach in front of athletes?
- Cut the athlete from the team to send a message
- Address the behavior directly with the parent using factual, respectful communication (Correct answer)
- Ignore it and hope the behavior stops
- Complain to the athletic director without speaking to the parent
Correct answer: Address the behavior directly with the parent using factual, respectful communication
PCA recommends direct, respectful communication with the offending parent, referencing the pre-season agreement and cultural expectations.
Question 6: PCA's Triple Impact Competitor concept encourages athletes to positively impact which three groups?
- Coaches, parents, and officials
- Themselves, their teammates, and the game (Correct answer)
- School, community, and sport
- Opponents, officials, and fans
Correct answer: Themselves, their teammates, and the game
Triple Impact Competitors impact themselves through mastery, their teammates through leadership, and the game through Honoring the Game.
PCA PCA Parent & Community Engagement 2
PCA recommends that coaches create a 'Parent Contract' or agreement that covers which of the following?