Teaching Youngsters How to be Good Sports

"Sports do not build character. They reveal it."
- Heywood Hale Broun

Sportsmanship Checklist for Kids

I abide by the rules of the game.
I try to avoid arguments.
I share in the responsibilities of the team.
I give everyone a chance to play according to the rules.
I always play fair.
I follow the directions of the coach.
I respect the other team's effort.
I offer encouragement to my teammates.
I accept the judgment calls of the game officials.
I end the game smoothly.

Sportsmanship is the ability to:

• win without gloating - (don't rub it in)
  
• lose without complaining - (don't make excuses)
  
• treat your opponent, and the officials, with respect
  

  Sportsmanship Tips:
  

• If you make a mistake don't pout or make excuses. Learn from it, and be ready to continue to play.
  
• If a teammate makes a mistake, encourage, don't criticize.
  

  1. I abide by the rules of the game. Part of good sportsmanship is knowing the rules of the game and playing by them. If a player decides to play a given sport, it is the responsibility of that player to learn not only how to play but how to play according to the rules which have been established and standardized to allow competitive games to be played in an orderly fashion. The more a player knows the rules the more that player can enjoy the sport.
  

  2. I try to avoid arguments. Part of good sportsmanship is anger management. Arguing with officials, coaches or opponents is often simply a misguided effort at "letting off steam" in the heat of competition. A good sport knows that anger can get in the way of a good performance. A good sport knows how to walk away from an argument and to stay focused on the game at hand.