COMPETITIVECOMPETITIVE ENGINEERING ENGINEERING

Damon Burton & Andy GillhamDamon Burton & Andy Gillham

University of IdahoUniversity of Idaho

COMPETITIVE COMPETITIVE ENGINEERINGENGINEERING

The competitive The competitive engineering process…engineering process… modifying the structure, rules, modifying the structure, rules,

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

Benefits include enhanced skill Benefits include enhanced skill development, improved development, improved enjoyment, & reduced attrition.enjoyment, & reduced attrition.

Used extensively, but in Used extensively, but in haphazard fashion, with no haphazard fashion, with no model to guide model to guide implementation..implementation..

MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE CONCEPTUAL

MODELCompetitive engineering is a motivational climate strategy that attempts to enhance motivation through systematic change in the competitive environment.Motivational climate has its origins in achievement goal theory that has found players in mastery-oriented (i.e., process) climates have higher intrinsic motivation, greater enjoyment and satisfaction and less attrition than do outcome-oriented (i.e., product) teammates.

STRUCTURING A BETTER MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE

CE attempts to enhance intrinsic motivation by creating positive changes in how sport is structured to enhance competence, increase personal

self-determination or control, and

provide greater opportunities to be with friends (i.e., relatedness)

MASTERY CLIMATE CORRELATES

Cote et al.’s (2008) Developmental Model of Sport Participation suggests the “sampling years” between 6-12 is a time to emphasize “deliberate play” that maximizes enjoyment for both future recreationl and elite performers. Mastery climate also promotes prosocial development (First Tee, 2006; Petitpas et al., 2005).

COACHING EDUCATION VERSUS COMPETITIVE

ENGINEERINGYouth coaches don’t want to invest in coaching education.Coaching considered a short-term activity but improvement takes time, Problem coaches don’t typically participate in coaching education. Competitive engineering only has to see administrators.Structure creates opportunity for positive change.Existing research supports value of competitive engineering.

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING OVERALL

GOALCompetitive engineering attempts to create programs that ensure consistent physical, psychological and social development is emphasized ahead of winning.However, when development is maximized, the chance of winning also increases.

WORKING COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING MODEL

6 CE goals, 4 CE strategies, 4 CE techniques.

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING GOALS

attract athletes to sport,increase process orientation and intrinsic motivation,enhance skill development, increase perceived competence, maximize fun and enjoyment, and minimize burnout and attrition.

TAKING A HINT FROM TAKING A HINT FROM SANDLOT GAMES …SANDLOT GAMES …

Coakley’s (1980) Coakley’s (1980) researchresearch In sandlot games, kids In sandlot games, kids

modify games to maximize modify games to maximize enjoyment and keep enjoyment and keep everyone involved so the everyone involved so the game continues.game continues.

““Sandlot” games result in Sandlot” games result in increased cooperation, increased cooperation, decision making, decision making, creativity, and action…creativity, and action…things that rule-centered things that rule-centered organized sport stifles.organized sport stifles.

TAKING A HINT FROM TAKING A HINT FROM SANDLOT GAMES …SANDLOT GAMES …

““Sandlot” games result in Sandlot” 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 stiflessport stifles

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

ENHANCING MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE

IN SPORT

Competitive engineering is a motivational climate strategy that attempts to enhance motivation thru systematic change in the competitive environment.Motivational climate has its origins in achievement goal theory that has found players in mastery-oriented (i.e., emphasize process) climates have higher intrinsic motivation, greater enjoyment and satisfaction and less attrition than do outcome-oriented teammates.

CE STRATEGIES: WHAT ATHLETES WANT

increase action and scoring,create high personal involvement, keep scores close, and maintain positive social relationships with teammates and opponents (Coakley, 1980).

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES

modify rules,change facilities,adjust equipment, provide a choice of competitive level.

CE TECHNIQUE CE TECHNIQUE EXAMPLESEXAMPLES

CE STRATEGY & TECHNIQUE CE STRATEGY & TECHNIQUE EXAMPLES EXAMPLES

1.1. increase action and scoringincrease action and scoring ““kid-size” equipment & facilities and modify rules kid-size” equipment & facilities and modify rules to advantage the offenseto advantage the offense

2.2. create high levels of personal involvementcreate high levels of personal involvementincrease playing time and opportunities to play increase playing time and opportunities to play “glamour” positions“glamour” positions

3.3. keep scores closekeep scores closeequalize talent across teams and have “catchup” equalize talent across teams and have “catchup” rulesrules

4.4. promote positive relationships between all promote positive relationships between all participantsparticipants

utilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social utilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social eventsevents

PYRAMID MODEL OF PYRAMID MODEL OF SPORT PROGRAMMINGSPORT PROGRAMMING

Level 5: Level 5: RegionalRegional

Travel TeamTravel Team

Level 4: LocalLevel 4: LocalTravel TeamTravel Team

Level 3: Competitive LeaguesLevel 3: Competitive Leagues

Level 2: Recreational ProgramLevel 2: Recreational Program

Level 1: Instructional ProgramLevel 1: Instructional Program

FLAG FOOTBALL CE STUDYFLAG FOOTBALL CE STUDY

1.1. Conceptual FocusConceptual Focus Increase action and scoring,Increase action and scoring, Enhance personal investment,Enhance personal investment, Decrease excessive physical contact.Decrease excessive physical contact.

2.2. Research ProtocolResearch Protocol““Kid-size” football and field Kid-size” football and field

““Delayed rush” rule to prevent defensive line from crossing line-of-Delayed rush” rule to prevent defensive line from crossing line-of-scrimmage for 3 secondsscrimmage for 3 seconds

3.3. ResultsResults Total points increased by 250%Total points increased by 250% Percentage of kids scoring increased by 70%Percentage of kids scoring increased by 70% Enjoyment increased extensivelyEnjoyment increased extensively Attrition was reduced 30% the following season.Attrition was reduced 30% the following season.

• increase playing time and opportunities to play “glamour” positionsincrease playing time and opportunities to play “glamour” positions

4.4. keep scores closekeep scores closeequalize talent across teams and have “catchup” rulesequalize talent across teams and have “catchup” rules

5.5. promote positive relationships between all participantspromote positive relationships between all participantsutilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social eventsutilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social events

FUTURE RESEARCH FUTURE RESEARCH QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

1.1. Is more CE better?Is more CE better? Number of modifications overall,Number of modifications overall, Number of modifications for each CE technique.Number of modifications for each CE technique.

2.2. Does the type of modification impact Does the type of modification impact effectiveness? effectiveness?

Which technique-related modifications are most Which technique-related modifications are most effective (e.g., close scores vs increased scoring)? effective (e.g., close scores vs increased scoring)?

Even within the same technique category, which Even within the same technique category, which modifications have greater impact on athlete modifications have greater impact on athlete outcomes (e.g., position played vs playing time)? outcomes (e.g., position played vs playing time)?

What implementation protocol will best sell CE to What implementation protocol will best sell CE to administration, coaches, & athletes?administration, coaches, & athletes?

What implementation protocol will maximize What implementation protocol will maximize athlete outcomes (e.g., explaining rationale & athlete outcomes (e.g., explaining rationale & teaching implementation strategies)?teaching implementation strategies)?

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