CompetitionCompetition

Is Competition …Is Competition …

A powerful motivational strategy?A powerful motivational strategy?An effective quality control device?An effective quality control device?A way to develop positive A way to develop positive

character traits?character traits?A fair process that ensures that A fair process that ensures that

the best team normally wins?the best team normally wins?Good?Good?America is a highly cooperative America is a highly cooperative

society.society.

Discussion Question 1: Is Competition Good?

Reward DefinitionsReward Definitions

Competition: A situation in which Competition: A situation in which rewards are distributed unequally on rewards are distributed unequally on the basis of performance by the the basis of performance by the performers.performers.

Cooperation: A social process through Cooperation: A social process through which performance is evaluated and which performance is evaluated and rewarded in terms of the collective rewarded in terms of the collective achievements of a group of people achievements of a group of people working together to reach a particular working together to reach a particular goal.goal.

Problems w/ Reward Problems w/ Reward DefinitionsDefinitions

For every winner, there has to be one For every winner, there has to be one or more losers.or more losers.

Does not account for differences in Does not account for differences in individual reactions to competition.individual reactions to competition.

Assumes the ‘reward’ to be the same Assumes the ‘reward’ to be the same for every competitor.for every competitor.Intrinsic vs. extrinsic rewardsIntrinsic vs. extrinsic rewards

DQ 2: List 3 examples of intrinsic & extrinsic rewards from sport?

Problems w/ Reward Problems w/ Reward DefinitionsDefinitions

Differences between competition Differences between competition and cooperation are emphasized, and cooperation are emphasized, rather than their similarities.rather than their similarities.You have to cooperate in order to You have to cooperate in order to

compete.compete.Competition requires both within-Competition requires both within-

team and between-team cooperation.team and between-team cooperation.

DQ 3: List 3 examples of between-team cooperation?

Competition and Cooperation Competition and Cooperation As ComplimentaryAs Complimentary

Competition and cooperation are not Competition and cooperation are not polar opposites.polar opposites.

The dynamics of how competition and The dynamics of how competition and cooperation complement one another cooperation complement one another should be taught.should be taught.

Top performers employ a blend of Top performers employ a blend of competition and cooperation competition and cooperation strategies.strategies.

Competition vs. CooperationCompetition vs. Cooperation Cooperative activities produce more open Cooperative activities produce more open

communication, sharing, trust, friendship, communication, sharing, trust, friendship, and enhanced performance compared with and enhanced performance compared with competitive activities.competitive activities.

Johnson & Johnson (1985)Johnson & Johnson (1985) Review of 122 studiesReview of 122 studies

Cooperation improved performance more Cooperation improved performance more than competition in 65 studies (8 showed than competition in 65 studies (8 showed opposite effects).opposite effects).

Cooperation improved performance more Cooperation improved performance more than individual efforts in 108 studies (6 than individual efforts in 108 studies (6 showed opposite effects).showed opposite effects).

Questionable tasks and contests however.Questionable tasks and contests however.

Problems Associated with Problems Associated with CompetitionCompetition

‘‘Win-at-all-costs’ mentality.Win-at-all-costs’ mentality.Promotes youth sport dropout.Promotes youth sport dropout.Reduces motivation for those that Reduces motivation for those that

remain involved.remain involved.Reduces enjoyment for Reduces enjoyment for

‘unsuccessful’ competitors.‘unsuccessful’ competitors.Facilitates a short-term focus only.Facilitates a short-term focus only.

Competition as a ProcessCompetition as a Process

Martens’ Process ModelMartens’ Process Model4 stages to the competitive process.4 stages to the competitive process.Explains why people respond differently Explains why people respond differently

to competition.to competition.Social comparison process.Social comparison process.

Stage #1: Stage #1: Objective Competitive SituationObjective Competitive Situation

Four objective criteria that must be Four objective criteria that must be present in order to conclude that present in order to conclude that competition is occurring.competition is occurring. 1. A standard of comparison is identified for 1. A standard of comparison is identified for

the team or individual.the team or individual. 2. Another person is present.2. Another person is present. 3. This person knows the standard.3. This person knows the standard. 4. This person evaluates whether the 4. This person evaluates whether the

standard has been obtained.standard has been obtained. What are the advantages / disadvantages What are the advantages / disadvantages

of the Objective Competitive Situation of the Objective Competitive Situation (OCS)?(OCS)?

Stage #2:Stage #2:Subjective Competitive SituationSubjective Competitive Situation

How an athlete perceives, accepts, How an athlete perceives, accepts, and appraises the OCS.and appraises the OCS.SCS is affected by personality traits, SCS is affected by personality traits,

perceived importance of competition, perceived importance of competition, perception of the comparison standard, perception of the comparison standard, and perceived response capabilities.and perceived response capabilities.

As a result, athletes seek out As a result, athletes seek out competition, enter it reluctantly, or competition, enter it reluctantly, or attempt to avoid it.attempt to avoid it.

Stage #3: ResponseStage #3: Response

After the appraisal of the OCS, After the appraisal of the OCS, athletes experience positive and athletes experience positive and negative adaptations, preparing negative adaptations, preparing them for competition.them for competition.PhysiologicallyPhysiologicallyPsychologicallyPsychologicallyBehaviorallyBehaviorally

Stage #4: ConsequencesStage #4: Consequences

Athletes’ perception of consequence Athletes’ perception of consequence (e.g., success or failure) is more (e.g., success or failure) is more important than the actual outcome.important than the actual outcome.Athletes perceive positive or negative Athletes perceive positive or negative

consequences as a result of consequences as a result of participation.participation.

These consequences impact:These consequences impact:Short and long term emotions.Short and long term emotions.Perceptions of competence.Perceptions of competence.Future decisions to compete.Future decisions to compete.

Variable Factors in OCSVariable Factors in OCS

Social EnvironmentSocial EnvironmentPresence of others:Presence of others:

Who?Who?How many?How many?Audience or co-actors?Audience or co-actors?

Attributes of opponents:Attributes of opponents:Ability.Ability.Age.Age.Sex.Sex.

Variable Factors in OCSVariable Factors in OCS

Physical EnvironmentPhysical EnvironmentPlaying field conditions.Playing field conditions.Weather.Weather.

RewardsRewardsTangible.Tangible.Intangible.Intangible.

Task CharacteristicsTask CharacteristicsPerformance demands.Performance demands.Rules of contest.Rules of contest.

Martens’ MottoMartens’ Motto

““Athletes first, winning second”Athletes first, winning second”To broaden Martens’ earlier motto, To broaden Martens’ earlier motto,

a revised motto, “Personal a revised motto, “Personal excellence- The foundation for excellence- The foundation for success” highlights the success” highlights the relationship shared between relationship shared between personal development and personal development and success.success.

Bringing the Motto to LifeBringing the Motto to Life

‘‘Striving to win’ vs. ‘Actually Striving to win’ vs. ‘Actually winning’.winning’.

Appreciating ‘the journey’ vs. ‘the Appreciating ‘the journey’ vs. ‘the destination’.destination’.

The challenge becomes practicing The challenge becomes practicing what you preach.what you preach.

Community-wide philosophy Community-wide philosophy development.development.

Motivation and CompetitionMotivation and Competition

Athletes’Skill Level

Level ofChallenge

Boredom

Anxiety

Low

Low High

High

Myths of CompetitionMyths of Competition

Myth 1: Competition is a powerful Myth 1: Competition is a powerful motivational strategy.motivational strategy.

Truth: Competition provides the Truth: Competition provides the greatest motivation when the level of greatest motivation when the level of challenge is moderately difficult and challenge is moderately difficult and matches the current capabilities of matches the current capabilities of the athlete.the athlete.

Myths of CompetitionMyths of Competition

Myth 2: Competition is an Myth 2: Competition is an effective quality control strategy.effective quality control strategy.

Truth: Competition leads to short-Truth: Competition leads to short-sightedness, and athletes sacrifice sightedness, and athletes sacrifice long-term improvement and long-term improvement and learning in order to achieve short-learning in order to achieve short-term success.term success.

Myths of CompetitionMyths of Competition

Myth 3: Competition develops Myth 3: Competition develops positive character traits.positive character traits.

Truth: Winning can be a double-edge Truth: Winning can be a double-edge sword for teaching character sword for teaching character development.development.

Myths of CompetitionMyths of Competition

Myth 4: Competition is a fair Myth 4: Competition is a fair process that insures that the best process that insures that the best team normally wins.team normally wins.

Truth: The playing field is rarely Truth: The playing field is rarely level, and even when it is, level, and even when it is, winning is very uncontrollable winning is very uncontrollable and often pursued via unfair and often pursued via unfair methods.methods.

Association Model of Association Model of CompetitionCompetition

SportCooperative gamesFrisbeeAssembly lines

Hermit War with no rules

Noncooperative

Cooperative

CompetitiveNoncompetitive

Competition: Good or Bad?Competition: Good or Bad?

Competition is neither good nor Competition is neither good nor bad. Rather, it is simply a neutral bad. Rather, it is simply a neutral process and depends on the process and depends on the athletes’ appraisal of the OCS, athletes’ appraisal of the OCS, response, and perception of response, and perception of consequences.consequences.

Taking a Hint from RecessTaking a Hint from Recess

Coakly (1997)Coakly (1997)Unorganized games result in Unorganized games result in

increased cooperation, decision increased cooperation, decision making, creativity, and action… making, creativity, and action… things that rule-centered organized things that rule-centered organized sport stifles.sport stifles.

Coaches, teachers, and sport Coaches, teachers, and sport directors should take a hint from the directors should take a hint from the behaviors of children when games are behaviors of children when games are spontaneous.spontaneous.

Taking a Hint from RecessTaking a Hint from Recess

Coakly (1997)Coakly (1997)Unorganized sport behaviors: Kids Unorganized sport behaviors: Kids

modify games to maximize cooperation, modify games to maximize cooperation, success, and enjoyment.success, and enjoyment.Increased action and scoring opportunities.Increased action and scoring opportunities.More constant involvement during the More constant involvement during the

game.game.Closely-matched teams.Closely-matched teams.Friendship development and maintenance.Friendship development and maintenance.

Competitive EngineeringCompetitive Engineering

The competitive engineering The competitive engineering processprocessModifying the structure, rules, Modifying the structure, rules,

facilities, and equipment of a facilities, and equipment of a particular sport to enhance athletes’ particular sport to enhance athletes’ competitive experience.competitive experience.

Benefits include enhanced skill Benefits include enhanced skill development, improved enjoyment, development, improved enjoyment, better competitive balance, and better competitive balance, and reduced attrition.reduced attrition.

Competitive Engineering:Competitive Engineering:Basic PremisesBasic Premises

1.1. Increased action and scoring will Increased action and scoring will make sport more enjoyable.make sport more enjoyable.

-- Equipment and rule modifications.-- Equipment and rule modifications.

2.2. Create high levels of personal Create high levels of personal involvement.involvement.

-- Increase playing time and opportunities to -- Increase playing time and opportunities to play ‘glamour’ positions.play ‘glamour’ positions.

3.3. Keep scores close to maximize Keep scores close to maximize interest, enjoyment, and motivation.interest, enjoyment, and motivation.

-- Equalize talent across teams.-- Equalize talent across teams.

Competitive Engineering:Competitive Engineering:Basic PremisesBasic Premises

4.4. Competition should promote Competition should promote positive relationships between all positive relationships between all participants.participants.

-- Utilize joint practices, socialization -- Utilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social events.rules, and social events.

5.5. Use multiple-level program and Use multiple-level program and pyramid-based community pyramid-based community models to better meet the needs models to better meet the needs of a diverse group of athletes.of a diverse group of athletes.

Pyramid-Based ModelPyramid-Based Model

V: Regional Travel Team

IV: Local Travel Team

III: Competitive Leagues

II: Recreational Program

I: Instructional Program

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: BasketballEngineering: Basketball

FacilitiesFacilities Smaller courts.Smaller courts. Shorter free throw line.Shorter free throw line. Shorter 3 point line.Shorter 3 point line. Lower basket.Lower basket. Bigger goal.Bigger goal.

EquipmentEquipment Smaller ball.Smaller ball. Colored wrist bands to help players know Colored wrist bands to help players know

who they are guarding.who they are guarding.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: BasketballEngineering: Basketball

RulesRules Playing time rules.Playing time rules. Position rotation rules.Position rotation rules. Limitations on when pressing is allowed.Limitations on when pressing is allowed. No zone defense.No zone defense. Limit timeouts.Limit timeouts. Place a cap on the number of points 1 Place a cap on the number of points 1

player is allowed to score.player is allowed to score. Catch-up rules:Catch-up rules:

Use press entire time, keep possession following Use press entire time, keep possession following a score, opponent must sit top player.a score, opponent must sit top player.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: BaseballEngineering: Baseball

FacilitiesFacilities Shorter bases.Shorter bases. Shorter fences.Shorter fences. Lower fences.Lower fences. Closer pitching rubber.Closer pitching rubber.

EquipmentEquipment Batting tee or pitching machine.Batting tee or pitching machine. Softer balls.Softer balls. Helmets with face masks.Helmets with face masks. Bat modifications: barrel size, weight.Bat modifications: barrel size, weight.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: BaseballEngineering: Baseball

RulesRules Playing time rules.Playing time rules. Position rotation rules.Position rotation rules. Modification to ball and strike limits.Modification to ball and strike limits. Pitching machine and tee combinations.Pitching machine and tee combinations. Place a cap on runs scored each inning.Place a cap on runs scored each inning. Everyone bats.Everyone bats. Innings pitched limitations.Innings pitched limitations. Catch-up rules:Catch-up rules:

4 outs per inning, raise the run / inning limit.4 outs per inning, raise the run / inning limit.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: Flag FootballEngineering: Flag Football

FacilitiesFacilitiesSmaller fields.Smaller fields.Lower goal posts.Lower goal posts.10 yard 110 yard 1stst down markers and chains. down markers and chains.

EquipmentEquipmentSmaller ball.Smaller ball.Velcro flags on both streamers and Velcro flags on both streamers and

belts.belts.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: Flag FootballEngineering: Flag Football

RulesRules Playing time rules.Playing time rules. Position rotation rules.Position rotation rules. Limit timeouts.Limit timeouts. All players are eligible receivers.All players are eligible receivers. Screen blocking only.Screen blocking only. Cap scoring by 1 individual player.Cap scoring by 1 individual player. Limit rough contact on defense by calling fouls.Limit rough contact on defense by calling fouls. Modify downs and distance requirements.Modify downs and distance requirements. Slow the defensive rush by requiring a waiting Slow the defensive rush by requiring a waiting

period.period. Catch-up rules:Catch-up rules:

Maintain possession when score, remove rush Maintain possession when score, remove rush limitations.limitations.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: SoccerEngineering: Soccer

FacilitiesFacilitiesSmaller fields.Smaller fields.Larger goals.Larger goals.

EquipmentEquipmentSofter ball.Softer ball.Shin guards required.Shin guards required.

Examples of Competitive Examples of Competitive Engineering: SoccerEngineering: Soccer

RulesRules Playing time rules.Playing time rules. Position rotation rules.Position rotation rules. Limit timeouts.Limit timeouts. Free kicks instead of throw-ins.Free kicks instead of throw-ins. Remove goalie.Remove goalie. Modify offsides rules and hand ball rules.Modify offsides rules and hand ball rules. Cap the number of goals allowed by 1 Cap the number of goals allowed by 1

player.player. Modify placement of ball on corner kicks.Modify placement of ball on corner kicks. No penalty kicks.No penalty kicks. Catch-up rules:Catch-up rules:

Maintain possession when score, sub out the Maintain possession when score, sub out the leading teams’ two top players.leading teams’ two top players.

Competitive PhilosophyCompetitive Philosophy

Your competitive philosophy Your competitive philosophy guides your everyday actions and guides your everyday actions and helps you to make the right helps you to make the right decision for you by deciding decision for you by deciding what’s important ahead of time.what’s important ahead of time.

Developing Your Competitive Developing Your Competitive PhilosophyPhilosophy

1. Self-awareness1. Self-awarenessMonitor thoughts, feelings, and Monitor thoughts, feelings, and

behaviors.behaviors.Ask others.Ask others.

2. Prioritize competitive objectives2. Prioritize competitive objectivesPersonal development versus Personal development versus

winning.winning.How much importance do you place on How much importance do you place on

each of those objectives?each of those objectives?

John Wooden’s Competitive John Wooden’s Competitive PhilosophyPhilosophy

Go to Go to http://www.coachjohnwooden.com/http://www.coachjohnwooden.com/

Find his pyramid of success.Find his pyramid of success.

DQ 4: Which building blocks that Wooden uses do you disagree with or would have put them in a different order?