Sportsmanship and Respect

Strong team players exhibit many qualities besides athletic ability. They are reliable, good communicators, honest, truthful, and ethical. Team players are active in every practice and game and cooperate with their teammates and coaches.

An important part of any sport is to exhibit good sportsmanship, by treating teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials with respect. Athletes who demonstrate good sportsmanship have self-control and motivate their team to reach their full potential. They also congratulate their opponents in victory and in defeat.

Sometimes athletes, teams, coaches, and spectators demonstrate poor sportsmanship, which can often lead to conflict. Conflicts can occur between two athletes on the same team, two athletes on opposing teams, an athlete and a coach, an athlete and a spectator, or an athlete and a referee. In this topic, you will investigate the individual characteristics of a strong team player, sportsmanship, and ways to resolve conflict in sport.

Essential Questions:

• How can athletes model good sportsmanship?
• How can athletes resolve conflict in sport?