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Online Coaching Education
You can take our online coaching education courses as part of the Michigan State University Online Master of Arts in Education, or as part of Michigan State's Lifelong Education program.
Sport Parent Education
Interested in how to be a great sport parent? Register for our FREE sport parent education course, given in a partnership with the Michigan High School Athletic Association.
ISYS YouTube Channel
Visit our YouTube channel to see helpful hints for coaches and sport parents.
The Institute for the Study of Youth Sports at Michigan State University
"Leaders Show Up!" ISYS staffers help mold leaders of tomorrow
The Women in Sports Leadership Conference is a biennial conference that is hosted by the Michigan High School Athletic Association. The conference was held at the Lexington Hotel in Lansing February 5th and 6th, with the theme this year being, "Leaders Show Up!" Over 600 coaches, administrators and female student-athletes were in attendance. A number of ISYS PhD students, staff, and interns participated in the conference by conducting various sessions.
Posted Mar 30, 2012
"Professional Help" for teaching life skills through sport - from The Atlantic
ISYS research has been featured in a recent "Professional Help" feature in The Atlantic. The article, Professional Help: Using Sports in School to Teach Lessons for Life, written by Hans Villarica, features five helpful pointers for teaching life skills through sport.
Posted Mar 16, 2012
ISYS Trains 170 of Michigan's High School Football Players to be Leaders
East Lansing, MI (February 16, 2012) - ISYS staff and the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) player development group teamed up to host a captain's clinic for the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association for the 2nd year in a row on February 13th. The athletes were almost all football players from across the state, gathering at the Lexington Hotel in Lansing to spend a day focusing on understanding leadership and discussing ways to improve their ability to lead their peers in sport. These clinics are always a special experience for our staff, but being able to focus on one sport really brings a special focus to our interactions with the young student leaders. It creates a special atmosphere of learning and collaboration. The coat racks were an impressive array of colors from the vast amount of letterman's jackets revealing the large number of schools represented.
Posted Feb 13, 2012
The Atmosphere Surrounding Sports Influences the Psychological and Social Development of Underserved Youth
Researchers from Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS) have discovered that underserved youth report more life skill and character development when their coaches place greater emphasis on creating caring climates. This involves the coach creating an atmosphere that focuses on player self-improvement versus players' comparing and competing with teammates.
Posted Jan 25, 2012
Distinguised Researcher Thelma Horn and Youth Sport Pioneer Tim Richey Honored at Crystal Apple Awards
On Friday, November 11th, Dr. Dan Gould, the Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS), presented Crystal Apple awards to Dr. Thelma Horn of Miami University, and Timothy Richey interim CEO, and COO of the Think Detroit Police Athletic League, for their exemplary careers bettering the lives of those that participate in youth sport.
The Crystal Apple is awarded to individuals for outstanding contributions to youth sport. The ISYS has presented the award to worthy recipients since 2004, but this is the first time two recipients were awarded in the same year. Dr. Horn and Mr. Richey attended an awards ceremony at the MSU University Club, but earlier in the day took the time meet with Department of Kinesiology and ISYS staff and students. In this two hour seminar both Thelma and Tim used their passion for youth sport to inspire those present to not only research important aspects of youth sport, but also get involved with local youth sport and disseminate our research.
Posted Dec 20, 2011
We Owe it to Our Children to Know Who is Coaching
The recent charges of sexual abuse against a long-time Penn State University football coach should give every parent and those responsible for children pause as they ponder their own child's sport participation.
One must ask:
- Do we know who is coaching our children?
- What should we expect from those that coach our children?
- What can be done to help ensure children participate in a safe and healthy environment?
As former athletes, and now as coaches, coaching educators and parents, we believe that more needs to be done to protect our children. They deserve it. Young athletes do not have the power to protect themselves. Parents and sports program administrators must be vigilant in screening and observing those who coach kids. The vast majority of coaches are positive influences in the lives of our children, but there are always some who are not. We have the power to protect children against manipulative, ill-meaning adults. Yet, it is very possible that we are not taking the very first step - as parents we often do not know who is coaching our children. Pilot data from West Virginia University researcher Dr. Kristen Dieffenbach has revealed that nearly 66% of parents assume (but have not directly asked to find out) that coaches are qualified, certified, and have been screened. Not asking allows those that would harm our children to continue to do so.
We recommend that all coaches undergo a background screening, but that is not enough. Coaches need to go through more extensive interview procedures while being recruited. Further, coaches must understand their responsibility in contributing to the development of our children, and then we have to prepare them to be successful.
Posted Nov 28, 2011
Advancing Sport Psychology, Coaching, and Youth Development: A Report from the AASP Conference
The 2011 Association of Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) conference was recently held in the Honolulu sunshine. This conference brings together an international crowd of researchers, consultants, coaches, and students with a vested interest in the advancement of sport psychology and the sharing of its knowledge. As has become a regular occurrence, the conference was well attended by Michigan State University and ISYS faculty and staff. This attendance was highlighted by significant involvement in conference lectures, workshops, and panel discussions by the Institute's faculty and staff. Director Dan Gould was involved as a discussant in four presentations while ten others were involved in various research and applied presentations ranging in topics including athlete concussions, outreach in underserved communities, coaching education, and eating disorders.
Read more about ISYS involvement at the AASP conferenceContributed by Scott Pierce
Posted Nov 8, 2011
ISYS wants to recognize those writers, researchers, and coaches that are making the effort to keep sport a positive environment for children. A Guide to Child Development through Sports written by Lyndsey Morgan, a sister of a youth sport athlete, is a well written description of the potential benefits youth can receive from participating in sport. It is important to note that these benefits are maximized when adults around the program create a positive environment and intentionally attempt to teach life lessons and skills through sport. Thank you Lyndsey for writing about the benefits of sport!
Posted Nov 8, 2011
In youth sports, count participation and retention rates instead of wins and losses
The New York Times recently featured an opinion column to highlight the importance of establishing a positive, caring environment in youth sport that truly focuses on building the character of youth sport athletes. The article features the work of the Positive Coaching Alliance, and highlights the work of the ISYS. Dr. Dan Gould states that to improve the climate in youth sports, parents need to focus on athlete self-improvement, instead of focusing on "outcomes or social comparisons."
"Moving Beyond the Cold-War Coach" - David Bornstein - The New York Times | Opinionator Column
Posted Oct 27, 2011
A coach education program for youth basketball coaches, developed by ISYS
iHoops, the official youth basketball program of the NBA and NCAA, has partnered with the National Federation of State High Schools and to launch a new coach education program. Dan Gould, Marty Ewing, and Larry Lauer from ISYS helped develop the content for the program. Three courses designed for interscholastic-age players, and two courses for pre-adolescent children, teach coaches skill instruction techniques while simultaneously teaching coaches how to develop a mentoring philosophy, communicate with parents, and create a positive learning environment.
Read the SlamOnline.com article with commentary from basketball leaders
Posted Oct 27, 2011
ISYS Staff help conduct the 2011 MHSAA Jack Pine Conference Captain's Clinic
For several years, a partnership between the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) and the ISYS has produced one-day clinics for high school sport captains and captains-to-be. These clinics use a participant-centered approach to defining leadership, handling tough issues, answering critical questions and organizing individual school-based "Captains To-Do" lists.
On October 3rd, 150 high school student-athletes visited Houghton Lake and worked with MHSAA and ISYS staff to assess leadership and better understand the purpose of the high school team captaincy. The video below captures the highlights of this clinic. A very special thanks to Andy Frushour, Andi Osters, the MHSAA staff and Jack Pine Conference for producing this video and allowing us to work with their student-athletes.
Posted Oct 17, 2011
How do coaches create positive developmental experiences for scholastic athletes?
Developing strong relationships and intentionally teaching life skills make the difference
Researchers from Michigan State University's Institute for the Study of Youth Sports (ISYS) have discovered that scholastic athletes report more beneficial youth development experiences when their coaches place greater emphasis on the intentional development of life skills and are skilled at developing strong coach-athlete relationships.
"A common fallacy about youth sport is that many coaches and parents believe that by simply playing a sport, student-athletes will experience positive developmental gains. Our data suggests that if coaches seek to develop life skills such as initiative, self-identity, and teamwork, then coaches must be intentional in their efforts to facilitate the learning of these life skills. It also shows that coaches must know how to foster strong coach-athlete relationships," reports ISYS Director and first author of the study Dr. Dan Gould.
Posted Oct 6, 2011
Dr. Gould and Dr. Lauer present at 2011 National Coaching Conference
A meeting of coaching and sport science experts at the 2011 National Coaching Conference raised the bar for the development of coaches and athletes in the United States. This conference brought together stakeholders in the development of amateur sports in the USA to discuss the development of a more strategic, integrated, and aligned system of athlete and coach development. The aim is the sharing of best practices, latest research and ideas in coaching and coaching education. The USA Coaching Coalition and the United States Olympic Committee hosted this year's conference in Colorado Springs. The Institute's Dr. Dan Gould moderated a panel at the opening session of the conference, and Dr. Larry Lauer presented with East Lansing Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Rob Smith. The conference revealed the important roles that coaches play in keeping youth active and healthy, in developing character through sport, and in developing a sporting culture for all.
Read More...Posted Jul 12, 2011
You can take online coaching education courses as part of Michigan State University's Online Master of Arts in Education program. Click the banner for more info.
ISYS Hosts Youth Development Officer Training for Think Detroit Police Athletic League (TDP)
Dr. Larry Lauer and Dr. Dan Gould led a retreat for youth development officers (YDOs) from TDP April 13-15 at the Henry Center for Executive Development at Michigan State University. YDOs will mentor sport coaches of TDP youth sport teams in Detroit, Michigan. Officer Mike Buckle of the San Mateo (California) Police Athletic League delivered a motivational talk to the YDOs in training, which included some of his experiences working with former gang members in California, as well as a live martial arts demonstration.
The ISYS has had a three year partnership with TDP. The goal of the partnership has been to increase the effectiveness of the coaches who work with youth sport participants in the TDP program. ISYS has collaborated with the mentors of youth sport coaches to develop a program that will best meet the needs of youth sport coaches in the city of Detroit, Michigan.
Photographs by Lindsay Emerson
Posted Apr 27, 2011
Dr. Dan Gould talks about the mission of the ISYS
Dr. Gould explains some of the research-to-practice projects that are in progress at the Institute (from MSU Faculty Conversations). For instance, what are the leadership skills that high school sport captains learn, and what is the best way to teach these skills? Our research has shown that athletes learn leadership most effectively when coaches intentionally teach leadership skills, and when student athletes are given meaningful opportunities to lead. While the general consensus is often that life skills are "caught" by participating in sport, Dr. Gould counters that most life skills are intentionally taught by coaches. Coaches who engage in team building and who model ideal behavior tend to teach these life skills more effectively. Dr. Gould explains that the underlying passion of the Institute is to figure out ways to help kids have better sport experiences.
Posted Mar 21, 2011
Using the "GROW" Model to Motivate Athletes
Dr. Gould outlines the GROW Model, a method of questioning that coaches can use to help players generate meaningful and realistic goals. By rememebering the acronym "GROW," a coach can ask an athlete GOAL questions (like, "what do you want to achieve during your practices this week?"), REALITY questions (like, "do you think that's a realistic expectation, given that you're coming back from an injury?"), OPTION questions (like, "what could you do to improve your double-leg takedown?"), and finally, WILL questions (such as, "what two things will you do in practices this week to reach those goals?"). The GROW model is effective because it involves the athlete in the process of generating goals, as well as allowing the athlete to help set the standards to which he or she will be accountable.
For more videos, visit the ISYS YouTube Channel
Posted Mar 1, 2011
Fun ways to increase effort and intensity during conditioning
In this video, Dr. Lauer gives advice for coaches looking to increase effort and intensity during conditioning. For instance, how can playing Monkey in the Middle increase the intensity of a hockey passing drill? Players are competitive by nature, and will work harder in small games with clear objectives than they will during exercises that are labeled "practice" or "conditioning." While Dr. Lauer's advice is given for hockey coaches in this case, what are some of the ways that a coach could use these principles for a soccer team or a swim team? We'd be interested in getting your feedback using the YouTube viewer comments.
For more videos, visit the ISYS YouTube Channel
Posted Feb 27, 2011
MHSAA Football Leadership Training Clinic
ISYS participated in a leadership training clinic for 250 Michigan football players and coaches. MSU Quarterback Kirk Cousins got the clinic started, telling players that being a leader consisted of peer modeling, building relationships with teammates, and investing in your teammates. Dr. Larry Lauer led a special session for coaches, where coaches were able to network and discuss in small groups how to teach their players to become leaders on and off the football field (Training Youth Athletes to Lead - PDF) Ten MSU Kinesiology Graduate Students led breakout sessions for groups of 20-40 football players from all regions of the State. Players commonly asked tough questions, such as "how do I motivate my teammates to attend off-season weight training?" Players were able to network with players from other teams and talk about some of the potential strategies they could use to lead their teams.
The leadership clinics promote the idea that leaders are made, not born. They are conducted on-site at high schools throughout the state of Michigan. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Lauer.
Posted Feb 16, 2011
The ISYS/MHSAA Sport Parent Education Course
This course represents a dual effort by the ISYS and the MHSAA to educate parents on their role as a sport parent, including some of the latest information learned from research and consultation with parents, coaches and athletes. Parents should leave with a better understanding of how to help their child and their child's team and coaches, as well as helping themselves to maximize their enjoyment of "educational athletics."
More Information and Registration
Posted Dec 2, 2010
Dr. Larry Lauer on the Norm Jones Radio Show
Norm Jones of WTCM Radio (Traverse City, MI) interviewed Dr. Larry Lauer of the ISYS regarding the challenges of working with sport parents. The full interview is accessible by following the link below.
See More: Dr. Larry Lauer on the Norm Jones Radio Show
Posted Nov 23, 2010
Dr. Larry Lauer Presents "Making Parents Part of Your Team"
Dr. Larry Lauer of ISYS answered some tough questions about working with sport parents during an ASEP-sponsored webinar on November 17th, 2010. You can see a recorded version of this webinar, view Dr. Lauer's responses to some tough questions, or view a copy of Dr. Lauer's powerpoint presentation by following the "See More" link below.
See More: Making Parents Part of Your Team
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