"One who plays a sport fairly and loses gracefully" is how The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines sportsmanship. What is a sportsman? The definition seems to have undergone a big change over the years. If children follow the example set by today's athletes, the definition would equal a sore loser. High school sports should be a fun way to physically express yourself as an athlete, but at the same time learn some of life's lessons, like sportsmanship, discipline, and respect. In today's society, winning comes before everything, but if winning requires neglect of good sportsmanship, then nothing is gained in the long run. Sportsmanship matters not only in sports, but also in the rest of our everyday lives. In any competition,...show more content...
Michigan State University's report, "Sportsmanship: Building Character or 'Characters'?" on the Youth Sportsman Institute webpage, explains the basic idea of how the role of children's participation in sports affects their sportsmanship. The report gives examples of how good sportsmen, and bad sportsmen are viewed by society. The Youth Sports Institute says, "participation is viewed as a double–edged sword that may have either negative or positive effects on the child"("Sportsmanship",1) and that "the critical factor in determining whether the youth sports experience has a positive or negative effect on children is the quality of adult leadership"("Sportsmanship, 3). The story "Friday Night Lights", written by H.G. Bissinger, gives examples of bad sportsmanship, like the Youth Sportsman Institute suggests. "Friday Night Lights" is a story about a football–obsessed town in Odessa, Texas. The whole story expresses winning or losing the game as a life or death situation. In Odessa, bad sportsmanship isn't just a problem for the athletes; it is a town–wide disease. The coaches talk bad behind their player's backs, while the fans litter the head coaches yard with for–sale signs, blaming him for losing the big game. The first instance of bad sportsmanship in the story is where Bissinger
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Sportsmanship Essay
Sportsmanship
Christopher Kane MSA 560
Sportsmanship Essay
Sports events are essentially social in character. They facilitate the coming together of people from various parts of the country, at a national level, and various parts of the world, at the international level. The dictionary defines sportsmanship as the face or practice of participating in sports or sport. It is also the conduct and attitude considered as befitting participants in sports, especially fair play, courtesy, striving spirit and grace in losing. The 'golden rule' for athletes is good sportsmanship. You demonstrate this when you showrespect for yourself, teammates, opponents, coaches, officials and fans. Sportsmanship does not simply pertain to players, spectators,...show more content... Second even if the other team is losing their tempers, it doesn't mean you have to. We are not professional athletes but we are college players /fans so we must hold ourselves to a higher standard because people are always watching. Third, cheer on your team with positive statements and avoid trash talking the other team. Fourth when officials make a call, accept it gracefully even if it goes against you. Remember the referees may not be right every time, but they are people doing their best just as you are. Lastly, whether you win or lose, congratulate your opponents on a game well played. The next time anyone plays a sport, they can hold their head high after the event and look at themselves in the mirror and say, "I played my best and treated everyone with respect." I know we play sports for the love of the game, but we must remember that we are all on the same team in the Get more content
Team Sports Reflection
I believe everyone should play a team sport. I joined my first team sport at the age of five, and I'm still competing in them to this day. Over my career I've learned many valuable life lessons as well as picked up many skills. Sports are a great way to get outside and enjoy the world around us while learning some valuable skills. Team sports can benefit us in many ways by helping to shape our personality while learning good sportsmanship, which can transfer into other aspects of our life. First off, like any group activity, team sports are a great way to learn important social skills and build lasting relationships while staying fit. On the website blastmotion.com the author writes, "It's (Team sports) where many important social skills are learned, including acceptance of others, support of our peers, and the value of competition" (Par. 2). I believe the author is saying that it is essential to play a team sport (or other social activities), because one can learn social skills, acceptance, obedience, and how to compete. I believe what the author is saying is true; however, I would also add that many new friendships can be made. I was home schooled throughout junior high and most of high school. I have relied on team sports to learn important social skills as well as meet many of my friends I might not have ever meet had I not played a team sport. A few years back I joined my high school ski team and the new friends I meet introduced me to track and field. New friends can open us up to activities we've never done before. I believe team sports bring people together. Rich or poor, white or black; it doesn't matter if you have shiny shoes or better equipment, team sports are for everybody! I'm a soccer player and soccer is very popular amongst third world countries. I have personally played with and against a lot of different ethnicities (most from less wealthy nations) and they play with passion for the sport and bring a different and effective style of play. Team sports allow athletes to contribute their own style of play, which can help benefit your team. Also it gives one confidence and a feeling of self–worth. On my soccer team one of my former teammates, who was a defender, played with a unique style
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Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is the character, practice, or skill of a person involved in sports. This includes the participant, the parents, the coaches, and all spectators. Sportsmanlike conduct includes fairness, courtesy, learning to be a good loser, being competitive without rude behavior, or experiencing any ill feelings toward the opponent. Too often in anysporting event, the purpose of the sport is forgotten. Winning has become overwhelmingly important to the adults involved. This attitude is inflicted on the youth. People of all ages should be allowed to fully embrace the challenge and fun of playing sports. Teaching, coaching, motivating, and winning are fine as long as the reason for the sport or activity is...show more content... Too many coaches and parents tend to forget the reason for sports for children. They get caught up in the excitement and competitiveness. Winning is the ultimate goal, at all costs. The cost is the
Sportsmanship Essay
effect this attitude has on the children. I have witnessed this behavior from coaches and parents, where they have actually embarrassed and humiliated young players in front of their peers. The negative effect this has on the athletes is obvious. They become aggressive, sometimes withdrawn and angry, rude, and inconsiderate.
Sports are not just an activity. They form a stepping stone toward the future.
Sportsmanship teaches children how to interact with peers, how to relate and interact with others. Sports can teach cooperation, sharing, and compassion. At a young age participation in sports introduces players to rules, and how to incorporate them into other aspects of life.
A child must realize that losing has absolutely nothing to do with self–worth, that their personal value is not measured by winning or losing, but doing the best that they can in sports and life. It is important that children and adults be part of a group to feel acceptance, without the emphasis on winning.
Self–confidence does not come from winning or losing, but how the outcome is handled. If you perform to your best ability, then you have won the only important game.
Sportsmanship is what the activity
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