2minute drill 
for coaches 


monthly tips from Positive Coaching Alliance 

Targeted Symbolic Rewards 


As Double-Goal Coaches we like to see our players 
excel for internal reasons rather than simply to gain 
external rewards. Targeted Symbolic Rewards can 
be a powerful tool for recognizing a player’s 
achievements, without undermining internal 
motivation. 

To start, make the reward truly symbolic, something 
not valuable in its own right – a sticker for example. 
The recognition, not the reward, must command 
center stage. Kids will do anything for a sticker, and 
at some point coaches stop the practice of handing 
them out for fear that it’s too juvenile. However, we 
see that even college football players are very proud 
to get stickers on their helmets! 

Second, be sure to target your rewards to behaviors 
that you want to see more of. Not everyone has the 
talent to make big plays, but everyone can increase 
his effort. If players regularly get rewards for 
hustling, you will see more hustling, guaranteed. 

adapted from The Double-Goal Coach by Jim Thompson 
To purchase this and other books by PCA Executive Director Jim Thompson, please visit: 

https//www.positivecoach.org/store