Coaching Philosophy & Ethics Flashcards
7 cards from real PCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Coaching Philosophy & Ethics flashcards as text
What does PCA mean when it says coaches should be 'ELM Tree' coaches?
Answer: Coaches who emphasize Effort, Learning, and bouncing back from Mistakes
ELM stands for Effort, Learning, and bouncing back from Mistakes — the three factors athletes can always control regardless of the outcome.
How should a PCA coach respond when an athlete deliberately violates an opponent's safety during play?
Answer: Immediately remove the athlete from play and address the behavior seriously
PCA ethics require coaches to immediately address any behavior that endangers opponents, as player safety and sportsmanship are non-negotiable.
In PCA's coaching model, why is a 5:1 ratio of positive to corrective statements important?
Answer: Research shows this ratio keeps Emotional Tanks sufficiently full for athletes to remain motivated and coachable
PCA promotes the 5:1 ratio because sustained positive interactions keep athletes' Emotional Tanks filled and receptive to growth-oriented correction.
An athlete comes to a coach and shares personal struggles that are affecting their performance. What is the PCA-recommended response?
Answer: Listen actively, express genuine care, and connect the athlete with appropriate support resources
PCA-trained coaches treat athletes as whole persons and connect them with appropriate support while demonstrating genuine care.
Which behavior best demonstrates that a coach has internalized PCA's philosophy of 'redefining winning'?
Answer: Expressing pride in a team that played with effort and character despite losing
PCA's redefined winning includes recognizing effort, improvement, and character as victories regardless of the scoreboard.
According to PCA, why is it important for coaches to acknowledge their own mistakes openly with athletes?
Answer: It models the same growth mindset and accountability coaches ask of athletes
When coaches openly acknowledge their mistakes, they model the same mistake-and-learn approach they encourage in athletes, building mutual trust.
What is the primary ethical concern with a coach who publicly ranks athletes by performance during practice?
Answer: It can shame lower-ranked athletes and undermine a Mastery Climate by promoting social comparison
Public performance rankings promote social comparison, which undermines the Mastery Climate PCA advocates and can shame athletes who rank lower.