PACT - Well Worth My Time

OK, I'll admit it.  I had zero interest in attending the PACT workshop tonight at the MYSA office.  But since the Minnesota Thunder Summer Camps are now "PACT Certified", as one of the lead staff members of the Thunder programs I needed to attend.  I had Eric Carl (BTFC 92/93 Blue coach) take my girls for training tonight with the suggestion that they some work on the timing of pressure (when to high pressure, when not to) and also some work with the defenders about when to push up to compact the field and when to drop off to take away a long ball over the top threat. 

From the MYSA website:

Parents and Coaches Together (PACT) is an educational program developed at the University of Notre Dame’s Center for Ethical Education and Development. The program is based on the latest research from developmental and sports psychology and is designed to help coaches and parents to get on the same page in successfully creating a positive and nurturing climate in Minnesota youth soccer.

MYSA/PACT™ helps coaches and parents realize their unique roles in fostering athlete intrinsic motivation, developing character, optimal performance, well-being and satisfaction. This program helps develop the potential of youth soccer to all it can, and should be!

It was really an enjoyable and interesting 2+ hours.  There was a PowerPoint presentation, video, and discussion.  We were fortunate to have Dr. Nicole LaVoi herself lead this seminar as I believe she was one of the key researchers involved in putting this PACT program together at Notre Dame.

It's funny, mush of what is discussed in PACT is similar to what I've been compiling on this site (see Recipe For Success section).  Much of the PACT talk about "play like a champion", nurturing vs toxic environment for the kids, parental behavior, motivating athletes, goal setting, etc. can be found here.  Though the terminology differs, the thoughts are the same.

I am thinking about trying to mandate this PACT training with all the Academy families starting next year.  We'll see how that goes over.