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

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

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, and provide a choice of competitive level.

COMPETITIVE ENGINEERING MODEL

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

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

EXAMPLES OF CE TECHNIQUE USAGE

EXAMPLES OF CE STRATEGY USAGE 1. increased action and scoring equipment, facility and rule modifications 2. create high levels of personal involvement increase playing time and opportunities to play “glamour” positions 3. keep scores close to maximize interest, enjoyment, and motivation equalize talent across teams and have catchup rules 4. Competition should promote positive relationships between all participants utilize joint practices, socialization rules, and social events 5. use multiple-level community models to better meet the needs of a diverse group of athletes

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