Sportsmanship

Have you ever played on a team with somebody who hated to lose? Or maybe you have a tough time if you lose anything - even a game of tic-tac-toe. Some kids find it extra-hard to lose, but everyone needs to learn how to do it. Learning to lose without losing your cool is a skill, like learning to ride a bike. You might not be able to do it at first, but over time it will get easier. And when you can handle losing, people will call you a good sport.

When was the last time you saw a player bending over to help an opponent up off the ground? Have you been to any sporting event, from street soccer to a professional contest, where you have not heard booing, directed either at the opponent, the officials or even the home team?

It's time that good old fashioned courtesy comes back into our lives. Congratulations to the opponent after a tough play. Lining up to shake hands following a hotly-contested game. Recognizing publicly that the other team or players were worthy of a win. Teams can get beaten by better teams.

Establish values, show respect for each other, decent public behavior, and exerting good sportsmanship should be something we re-establish and pass on to future generations.

Good sportsmanship is both the coach's and athlete's commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. In practice, good sportsmanship is defined as those qualities which are characterized by generosity and genuine concern for others. Always lead by example.

Be a Good Sport

Here are ways that you can show others what good sportsmanship is all about:

1. Be polite to everyone you're playing with and against.
   No trash talk - which means saying mean things while you're in the middle of a game.
2. Don't show off. Just play your best. 
3. Sincerely congratulate your opponent whether you've won or you've lost.
4. Learn the rules of the game.
5. Show up for practices and games on time - even if you're the star of the team.
6. Listen to your coaches and follow their instructions.
7. Don't argue with an official if you don't agree with his or her call. If you don't understand a certain call, wait until after the game to ask your coach or the official to explain it to you.
8. Don't make up excuses or blame a teammate when you lose. Try to learn from what happened.
9. Be willing to sit out so other team members can get in the game - even if you think you're a better player.
10. Play fair and don't cheat.
11. Cheer for your teammates even if the score is 1,000-1! You could inspire a big comeback!
12. Check up on an injured opponent who has been taken off the playing field during the game.
13. Give the referee a pat on the back for a job well done, even though you or your team lost.
14. Be mature enough to know that sometimes, in sports, it's not that your team lost - it's just that the other team won.
15. Understand that when the game is over, it's time to shake hands, smile, and move on.
16. Know when your celebration on the playing field is getting out of hand and is beginning to embarrass your opponent.
17. Treat your opponents in the same manner that you'd like to be treated.

Keep these simple rules in mind, and you'll always be looked upon as an athlete who understands and honors the rules of sportsmanship.