Participation in sport extends the learning of social competence by teaching children to cooperate with their teammates and opponents as well as abide by the rules . Without this cooperation the game will not continue. Parents and coaches must be persistent and consistent in teaching the value of cooperation. Parents must provide opportunities to learn social competence to both their daughters and sons. Fathers, in particular, are often more involved in teaching social competence through physical activity and sport to their sons.
Coaches can facilitate the development of social competence through the use of positive feedback.
When teaching sport skills, coaches should provide plenty of instructional and encouraging statements. Children are going to make mistakes while learning and performing sport skills. Sport provides numerous opportunities to teach moral principles. The key to children learning what is right and wrong starts with coaches and parents being consistent in their OWN behavior. Effects of enhancing coach-athlete relationships on youth sport attrition.