COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING

1. COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING Damon Burton & Bernie Holliday Vandal Sport Psychology Services University of Idaho

2. COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING • The competitive engineering process… • modifying the structure, rules, facilities, and equipment of a particular sport to enhance athletes’ competitive experience • benefits include enhanced skill development, improved enjoyment, better competitive balance, and reduced attrition

3. 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.

4. 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) STRUCTURING A BETTER MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE

5. ‘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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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).

9. Competitive 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. COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING OVERALL GOAL

10. 6 GOALS OFCOMPETITIVE 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.

11. 4 STRATEGIESOFCOMPETITIVE ENGINEERING • increase action and scoring, • create high personal involvement, • keep scores close, and • maintain positive social relationships with teammates and opponents.

12. modify rules, change facilities, modify equipment, and provide a choice of competitive level. COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING TECHNIQUES

13. COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING MODEL

14. TAKING A HINT FROM SANDLOT GAMES … • Coakley’s (1997) research • In sandlot games, kids modify games to maximize cooperation, success, and enjoyment • increased action and scoring opportunities • more constant involvement during the game • closely-matched teams • friendship development and maintenance

15. TAKING A HINT FROM SANDLOT GAMES … • “Sandlot” games result in increased cooperation, decision making, creativity, and action…things that rule-centered organized sport stifles • Coaches, teachers, and sport directors should take a hint from the behaviors of children when games are spontaneous

16. EXAMPLES OF CE TECHNIQUE USAGE

17. EXAMPLES OF CE STRATEGY USAGE • increased action and scoring • equipment , facility and rule modifications • create high levels of personal involvement • increase playing time and opportunities to play “glamour” positions • keep scores close to maximize interest, enjoyment, and motivation • equalize talent across teams and have catchup rules • Competition should promote positive relationships between all participants • utilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social events • use multiple-level community models to better meet the needs of a diverse group of athletes

18. PYRAMID MODEL OF SPORT PROGRAMMING Level 5: Regional Travel Team Level 4: Local Travel Team Level 3: Competitive Leagues Level 2: Recreational Program Level 1: Instructional Program