[hlnx1]

Motivational climate describes what the environment rewards. Research in youth sport often contrasts two types, and the difference affects enjoyment, effort and dropout.

The two broad types:

• Mastery (task) climate: success is about effort, learning and personal improvement; mistakes are part of learning
• Performance (ego) climate: success is about beating others and showing ability; mistakes are punished and comparisons are common
• A mastery climate is consistently linked with more enjoyment, less anxiety and more persistence
• Coaches shape climate through what they praise, how they group players, how they handle mistakes and who gets playing time

Related reading: motivation in sport and the psychology of quitting.

What do you think young athletes in your club would say is valued most?

[hlnx1]

A few concrete changes towards a mastery climate: praise specific effort and improvement, let athletes set personal goals, rotate groups instead of always splitting by ability, and talk about mistakes as information.

None of this means removing competition. Children can compete hard in a mastery climate; the difference is what counts as success.

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