Sports Psychology "Better People Make Better Competitors" by Brian Lomax, USPTA Elite Professional
One of the most successful sporting organizations in the world is the New Zealand national men's rugby team, commonly known as the All Blacks. The All Blacks have an all-time winning percentage over 77%, and one of the core components to their success has been the realization that behavior and character matter. They have applied this principle to team selection through the motto "Better People Make Better All Blacks." The team believes that better people can be counted on more under pressure, they can control their emotions better in the face of adversity, and they are overall mentally tougher. In other words, Better People Make Better COMPETITORS. When it comes to behavior and character in tennis, the concept of sportsmanship comes to mind. Sportsmanship is a means of demonstrating one's level of moral character development. More specifically, sportsmanship is behavior that demonstrates concern and respect for the sport, its rules, officials, opponents, and accepted social conventions (i.e., shaking hands at the conclusion of a match). Sportsmanship is also characterized by a relative lack of negative behavior. Although there is a notion that sport teaches character, it simply does not work that way. The training environment and specific coaching behaviors are highly influential in the development of sportsmanship, not the sport itself. Regardless of the age or ability level of students, developing sportsmanship and moral character in players should be a goal of all tennis coaches. Better people make better competitors, and ultimately, every tennis player wants to be a better competitor. Therefore, purposefully developing sportsmanship enables coaches to serve their students more effectively. There are four coaching behaviors that most influence the development of sportsmanship in athletes. On the positive side, modeling sportsmanship behaviors, reinforcing good sportsmanship, and teaching sportsmanship drive more pro-social behaviors. Conversely, when coaches prioritize winning over good sportsmanship, the result is that athletes act in more anti-social ways. Modeling: As human beings, we learn through observation and social influence. This applies to moral development. When a coach models the correct behaviors with respect to sportsmanship, players see it, learn from it, and become better equipped to behave morally themselves. Players will repeat what they see the coach do. If a coach from one club treats a coach or player from another club with respect, players are likely to follow suit. As a coach, know that your players are always watching what you do.
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