Sportsmanship can be a characteristic value, a culture, a way of life. It is of the utmost importance in any endeavor. It is the foundation that allows competition to be so wonderful and to make people feel good. It is what makes a grown man/woman jump up and down in their living room, yelling at the TV, cheering for their favorite team…and then 5 minutes later throwing a “High 5” to their buddy who is cheering for the other team.
Sportsmanship is playing hard, trying your best and giving it your all from minute 1 to the last minute of the game. It’s being frustrated, mad, thrilled and happy during battle…but when it’s all over, shaking hands with the other team and telling them how well they played.
Sportsmanship is fans cheering for their team, but never cheering against the other team. It’s realizing that the players are trying their hardest and have enough self-inflicted pressure on them, without someone in the stands yelling at them.
Sportsmanship is realizing that the officials will make mistakes, but they will always try to be fair and do their best, even though we may not agree.
Sportsmanship is playing against your competition and doing your best to succeed, but win or lose, when you see your foe at the mall, saying “Hi”.
Sportsmanship is a coach fostering an atmosphere of fun, learning and competition, and giving the players the opportunity to succeed or fail, with no threat of repercussion or humiliation. Dare your players to take chances absent the fear of failure. Failing a task and learning from one’s mistake will lead to growth and improvement.
Sportsmanship is a process of learning how to be a humble winner, but as importantly, how to handle defeat.
Sportsmanship is the realization that it is what it is…sport! It’s for fun and excitement, and should fuel our competitive juices. But we all must remember…it is up to us, as coaches and parents, to either make it a child’s fondest memory or their worst nightmare. Always remember why we are doing what we are doing!