LIVE: NDSU Scientists Discover What Really Makes A Winning Coach

FARGO — NDSU scientists have a new study out that shows student athletes have serious long-term repercussions from the kind of coaching they get, even if they don’t wind up being professional athletes.

The study turns on its head some of traditional “win at any cost” approaches to coaching as being the best or only way to get results from young athletes.

Instead of encouraging trash-talking, focusing only on highlight plays, or negative feedback to turn a player’s performance around, researchers say a more modern framework, “positive youth development,” sets up student athletes for long-term success.

The framework puts an emphasis on developing a young athlete’s resilience, health, competence, coping, and wellbeing through sports.

Coaches, teachers and parents who focus on a player’s overall wellness can result in kids that grow into adults who are both physically and mentally stronger.

Current findings show one in four student athletes reports dropping out of their athletic pursuit because of negative treatment, whether from coaches or peers.

Human Development scientist Sean Brotherson, one of the authors of the study, joined the Morning Show to talk about how adults can help the young athletes in their lives find a winning strategy to develop into strong, healthy adults.

For more information on the study and how they conducted it:

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/entries/10.4324/9780367766924-RESS74-1/wellbeing-positive-youth-sport-development-beckham-arthur-brad-strand-sean-brotherson-vassil-girginov-yuhei-inoue?context=rross