COMPETITIVECOMPETITIVE ENGINEERING ENGINEERING

Damon Burton & Bernie HollidayDamon Burton & Bernie Holliday

Vandal Sport Psychology Vandal Sport Psychology ServicesServices

University of IdahoUniversity of Idaho

COMPETITIVE COMPETITIVE ENGINEERINGENGINEERING

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

rules, facilities, and rules, facilities, and equipment of a particular equipment of a particular sport to enhance sport to enhance athletes’ competitive athletes’ competitive experienceexperience

benefits include benefits include enhanced skill enhanced skill development, improved development, improved enjoyment, better enjoyment, better competitive balance, and competitive balance, and reduced attritionreduced attrition

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.

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)

‘TARGET’-ING STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE SPORT

CLIMATE

The ‘TARGET’ concept is an acronym to identify 6 key strategies for creating a more mastery-oriented motivational climate.

TARGET CONCEPT

T = Task Structure – focuses on whether process or product is emphasized and the variety, challenge, control and meaningfulness of learning experiences.A = Authority Structure – determines who has responsibility in the learning process and how leadership and decision-making take place.

TARGET CONCEPT

R = Reward Structure – focuses on whether intrinsic and/or extrinsic rewards are emphasized. G = Grouping Structure – determines whether homogeneous (i.e., similar skill level) or heterogeneous (i.e., mixed skill levels) are used in practice (i.e., 1’s versus 2’s) or competition.

TARGET CONCEPT

E = Evaluation Structure – focuses on whether evaluation is conducted primarily based on process or product. T = Time Structure – determines the pacing of learning and how it is adjusted to match learning rates (i.e., enough time to ensure everyone masters task or play).

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING OVERALL

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

6 GOALS OF COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING

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.

4 STRATEGIES OF COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING

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

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES

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

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING MODEL

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

Coakley’s (1997) Coakley’s (1997) researchresearch In sandlot games, kids In sandlot games, kids

modify games to modify games to maximize cooperation, maximize cooperation, success, and enjoymentsuccess, and enjoyment

increased action and scoring increased action and scoring opportunitiesopportunities

more constant involvement more constant involvement during the gameduring the game

closely-matched teamsclosely-matched teams friendship development and friendship development and

maintenancemaintenance

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

EXAMPLES OF CE EXAMPLES OF CE TECHNIQUE USAGETECHNIQUE USAGE

EXAMPLES OF CE EXAMPLES OF CE STRATEGY USAGE STRATEGY USAGE

1.1. increased action and scoringincreased action and scoring equipment , facility and rule modificationsequipment , facility and rule modifications

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 close to maximize interest, enjoyment, keep scores close to maximize interest, enjoyment, and motivationand motivation

equalize talent across teams and have catchup rulesequalize talent across teams and have catchup rules

4.4. Competition should promote positive relationships Competition should promote positive relationships between all participantsbetween all participants

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

5.5. use multiple-level community models to better use multiple-level community models to better meet the needs of a diverse group of athletes meet the needs of a diverse group of athletes

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