Ways to Show Good Sportsmanship

Teamwork and loyalty are among the characteristics children can learn by participating in competitive sports. Children can also learn the value of hard work, resilience and fighting through adversity. But another important aspect of playing sports is learning how to give respect to an opponent, whether you win or lose. Parents and coaches can help children develop good sportsmanship, which may also help them beyond the playing field.

  1. Courtesy

    • One of the most important ways to show good sportsmanship is to behave in a courteous way before, during and after a sporting event. As a coach or parent, you should teach children to shake hands with their opponents before a game and wish them luck. During the game, you should encourage the players on your team to obey the referee's instructions at all times and not to get into arguments with teammates, members of the other team or rowdy spectators who may be taunting them. At the end of the game, children on both teams should shake hands as a sign of respect.

    Handle Wins and Loss with Class

    • It's much easier to be a good sport when you are dominating a game or match because things are going well for you or your team. But when you are losing and your opponent is beating you in every aspect of a game, you may find it much more difficult to maintain your poise. Parents and coaches must teach children to never taunt an opponent when they are winning. They should also teach children that losing doesn't give them the right to violate the rules or try to hurt their opponent. Winning and losing are both teachable moments. When children understand that they will experience ups and downs, it can help them demonstrate good sportsmanship whether they're winning or losing a game.

    Encourage Teammates

    • Good sportsmanship isn't confined to how children react to opponents; it also includes how they deal with players on their own team. Bad sportsmanship is yelling at teammates, berating them for mistakes and refusing to share the ball or trust them to make the right play. Children should learn to encourage teammates and to avoid yelling at them or getting into arguments during a game. By respecting and supporting their teammates, children develop the type of behavior that can carry over to how they treat fans, opponents and officials.

    Celebrate With Respect

    • Sports highlights on television often show a showboating amateur or professional athlete who scores or makes a nice play and then celebrates as if he's won a million dollars. These images may affect how children react after they score a touchdown, a goal or a three-point basket. Excessive celebration is disrespectful to the game and to an opponent. Parents and coaches must teach children that it's fine to be excited after a good play, and it's good to celebrate, but there is a correct way to do so. Cheering after a score and hugging or bumping chests with teammates is fine as long as it doesn't go on for minutes. Children should understand that taunting opponents or their fans after a score is not acceptable.