, Coaching Principles | National
Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) / Human Kinetics |
Academic Year 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Certification
Examination | 50 Verified Questions
and Correct Answer Rationales | rated
100% correct.
SECTION 1: COACHING PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS
1. The purpose of student-centered interscholastic athletics is best
described as:
A. Winning championships and earning trophies
B. Developing the holistic athlete through educational outcomes
C. Preparing athletes for professional sports careers
D. Maximizing participation regardless of skill development
Correct Answer: B. Developing the holistic athlete through educational
outcomes
Rationale: The NFHS emphasizes that interscholastic athletics exist to
promote educational outcomes including healthy lifestyles, life skills,
sportsmanship, and citizenship. Winning is a byproduct, not the primary
purpose. Student-centered coaching places the developmental needs of
athletes ahead of winning at all costs .
Source: NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching; Successful Coaching, 5th Edition
, 2. Which of the following represents the motto "Athletes first,
winning second"?
A. Winning should be a low priority for a team
B. Competitive sports should be eliminated for adolescents
C. Winning must be kept in perspective by a greater concern for athlete
development
D. Cooperative games without scoring are more important than competition
Correct Answer: C. Winning must be kept in perspective by a greater
concern for athlete development
Rationale: The philosophy "Athletes first, winning second" does not devalue
winning; rather, it states that the well-being and development of the athlete
should always take precedence over the desire to win. Winning is pursued
within an ethical, athlete-centered framework .
Source: Successful Coaching, 5th Edition; NFHS Coaches Code of Ethics
3. Research has shown that the more an individual focuses on
winning, the higher the likelihood that he or she will:
A. Improve technical skills more rapidly
B. Cheat or participate in unsportsmanlike behavior
C. Develop greater intrinsic motivation
D. Become a more effective leader
Correct Answer: B. Cheat or participate in unsportsmanlike behavior
Rationale: Research demonstrates that excessive focus on winning
outcomes increases the risk of unethical behavior, including cheating and
unsportsmanlike conduct. This reinforces the importance of keeping winning
in proper perspective and emphasizing process over outcome .
Source: NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching; Successful Coaching, 5th Edition
Federation of State High School
Associations (NFHS) / Human Kinetics |
Academic Year 2026/2027 |
Comprehensive Certification
Examination | 50 Verified Questions
and Correct Answer Rationales | rated
100% correct.
SECTION 1: COACHING PHILOSOPHY AND ETHICS
1. The purpose of student-centered interscholastic athletics is best
described as:
A. Winning championships and earning trophies
B. Developing the holistic athlete through educational outcomes
C. Preparing athletes for professional sports careers
D. Maximizing participation regardless of skill development
Correct Answer: B. Developing the holistic athlete through educational
outcomes
Rationale: The NFHS emphasizes that interscholastic athletics exist to
promote educational outcomes including healthy lifestyles, life skills,
sportsmanship, and citizenship. Winning is a byproduct, not the primary
purpose. Student-centered coaching places the developmental needs of
athletes ahead of winning at all costs .
Source: NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching; Successful Coaching, 5th Edition
, 2. Which of the following represents the motto "Athletes first,
winning second"?
A. Winning should be a low priority for a team
B. Competitive sports should be eliminated for adolescents
C. Winning must be kept in perspective by a greater concern for athlete
development
D. Cooperative games without scoring are more important than competition
Correct Answer: C. Winning must be kept in perspective by a greater
concern for athlete development
Rationale: The philosophy "Athletes first, winning second" does not devalue
winning; rather, it states that the well-being and development of the athlete
should always take precedence over the desire to win. Winning is pursued
within an ethical, athlete-centered framework .
Source: Successful Coaching, 5th Edition; NFHS Coaches Code of Ethics
3. Research has shown that the more an individual focuses on
winning, the higher the likelihood that he or she will:
A. Improve technical skills more rapidly
B. Cheat or participate in unsportsmanlike behavior
C. Develop greater intrinsic motivation
D. Become a more effective leader
Correct Answer: B. Cheat or participate in unsportsmanlike behavior
Rationale: Research demonstrates that excessive focus on winning
outcomes increases the risk of unethical behavior, including cheating and
unsportsmanlike conduct. This reinforces the importance of keeping winning
in proper perspective and emphasizing process over outcome .
Source: NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching; Successful Coaching, 5th Edition
