Sportsmanship

Community youth sports programs serve kids from preschool through teens. Games that were once played with few spectators now draw dozens of parents, grandparents and friends to the sidelines, cheering and chanting. Unfortunately, we find much too often, berating of officials, coaches and even players. Competition can be intense and coaches feeling the pressure to produce victories, may find themselves behaving in ways they later regret.

Today the concept of good sportsmanship has been lost. Sportsmanship is a manifestation of our own ethics in real life. Sportsmanship like ethics reflects both the character and the actions of a coach. The image a coach projects on the field is usually a product of his or her character.

The following are good sportsmanship rules:
· Apply the golden rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you
· Have an understanding and an appreciation of the rules
· Enjoy yourself and encourage enjoyment of others
· Take responsibility for your actions
· Exhibit respect for the officials - umpires are impartial arbitrators who perform to the best of their ability to make sure the game is played fair and within the rules; mistakes made by all those involved are part of the game and must be accepted.
· Do not tolerate bad behavior from your teammates.
· Shake hands with the opponent before and after the game, regardless of the outcome.
· Cheer in a positive manner
· Accept all decisions [of judgment] by officials without question.
· Applaud good plays by both teammates and opponents.
· Applaud at the end of the contest for the performance of all participants.
· Encourage all surrounding people (fans included) to display a sportsmanlike behavior.
· Show concern for an injured player, regardless of the team.
· Win with class, lose with dignity.

The following are examples of unacceptable (unsportsmanlike) behavior:
· Use of disrespectful or derogatory comments, cheers or gestures.
· Referral to any opponent by name, team name or position. “Pitcher choked”
· Criticize officials in any way – or displays of temper over an official’s call.
· Display of temper when you or a teammate is not successful.
· Refuse to shake hands or recognize good play.
· Laugh or name call to distract an opponent.
· Criticize other players or coaches for the loss of a game.
· Use profanity or display anger.