For years many dance teams have incorporated the use the merit/demerit system to enforce discipline into their programs. When a dancer forgets a practice item, shows up late, or doesn’t follow the rules they are given demerits. In order to participate in the upcoming performance and/or eliminate the possibility of losing a spot on the team roster, the dancer must work off demerits by earning merit points. But is this really the most effective way for coaches to deal with problems?
When I was in school, dance team members could work off demerits, or earn merit points, by buying water for the team, working more hours at fundraisers, and cleaning the locker room. Looking back, I believe that the coach was simply taking the easy way out and avoiding the underlying issue of making the dancer aware of the problem(s) that originally caused the demerit and correcting that negative behavior.
I have noticed that other athletic programs have harsher, on-the-spot punishments for athletes who fail to follow the team rules. For example, if a football player is late to practice he would be expected to run sprints or complete some type of physical punishment for his actions. Are these on-the-spot punishments more effective than demerit systems?
This year, my head coach and I incorporated the on-the-spot type punishments into our dance program. If one of our dancers was late to practice, we required them to stay after practice and run/workout to make up for the rule infraction. Although the team quickly got the message and started showing up on time, their parents became concerned that we were being too tough and did not like that we were not following the typical merit/ demerit system.
As a coach, it is important to stress that the members of the dance team are receiving physical education credit, thus the strict discipline should be enforced. The physical consequences for breaking team rules will only make the dancers stronger in the long run. I am trying to find the best way to transition my students into less of a demerit/ merit system, in hopes of building stronger discipline, and better athletes. The question is ‘will my parents support the plan to incorporate more physical consequences as form of punishment?’.
I agree with you sometimes harsher punishments are better for discipline. As long as it is a type of physical education class I do not see why you can’t step up the punishment and really make the athletes understand what you’re asking from them. I had the issue of athletes showing up right on time for practice or a couple minutes late, I implemented 10 burpees for each minute that you are late, and after a few weeks everyone started showing up early. If the consequence isn’t something they don’t want to do, the punishment won’t work. The less they want to do the punishment they better they will be with their discipline. I think you are your way to doing great things with your athletes. Good Luck!
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