SPORTSMANSHIP - IN SUN AND SHADOW
by Gary Williamson, NTSSA State Coach
"Sportsmanship is defined as a person who plays with fairness, courteous relations and graceful acceptance of results at the end of a contest."
Sportsmanship is not just about being a nice person; it is much more important than that…..It’s about character.
Sportsmanship deals with the behavior of coaches, players, and spectators. First and foremost young people need guidance in becoming a great person before they think of themselves as a great soccer player.
Most adults are conscientious of their role, as they strive to be a good role model. And yet, it is amazing what some adults "reveal" about their character when it comes to their behavior in youth soccer. Some examples:
- A team of 9 year olds loses a soccer game in the last few minutes after the goalkeeper lets the ball slip between his legs. One of the dads on the losing team shouts, loud enough for the coach and goalkeeper to hear "We would have won if the coach played the best goalie the whole game. Everybody knows he can’t catch the ball. Why did the coach put him out there with everything on the line?"
- On the loss of a game in State Cup bracket play a father comments I’m so angry I could spit!"
- A mother of a girls soccer team that won 5-0 in a tournament for 12 year olds, in full earshot of the parents of the losing team: "I guess that team has never seen a good soccer team before. I can’t believe their coach entered them in this tournament. Oh, well maybe it taught them not to come to this level of a tournament until they are ready."
- A father slaps his daughter across the face after she is substituted by the coach for a lack of effort.
- At a game in Arlington a 9yr old player has his jaw broken as he is slugged in the face by an opponent.
- At an U9 girls soccer game in Richland Hills the coach is heard yelling "If you can’t get the ball knock them down!"
- A team of 11 year olds refuses to appear at the awards tent to collect their runners up medals. After being berated by their coach the boys were having difficulty with the result. Rather than be concerned or appalled, the parent’s of these young boys accepted their son’s unsportsmanlike behavior in stride.
- An adult coach physically assaults a 16yr old referee.
Why do some adults lose it at youth soccer games? Sports psychologist Thomas Tutko and others feel that parents get too wrapped up in the competition because they are living vicariously through their children. Other experts feel that parents might be filled with unrealistic expectations, hoping their child will be the next superstar. Consequently, they place to much emphasis on making sure their child "wins’ or "looks good."
20 million youngsters play in recreational soccer leagues throughout the USA, the signs of a decline in sportsmanship are evident: talking trash, challenging officials, refusing to shake hands with the opponent after the game, making excuses after every loss – players, parents and coaches.
Most people agree that teaching skills, rules, and strategies of soccer are among the primary responsibilities of youth coaches. Of significant importance is the physical conditioning of the players, promoting enjoyment of the game, and attempting to avoid physical and psychological injury are also outcomes they should strive to achieve.
Good sportsmanship has to be taught.
The first step is to clearly define good behavior. Once this is achieved adults can set about the task of teaching good sportsmanship.
Defining Appropriate Behavior
Coaches must define for their players what they consider to be desirable and undesirable behavior for their players.
Without involvement there is less commitment. It is a good idea to allow your players to be involved in establishing acceptable behavior parameters for their team. Rules and regulations govern the game of soccer. All players have to follow these rules, so it is important for the players to be involved in the process of determining acceptable behavior for their team.
Team rules of conduct need to be clear, concise and specific. Simply requiring "good sportsmanship" is not specific enough for your players to understand the ingredients of what constitutes acceptable behavior. What is good sportsmanship? Does it mean obeying all the rules, respecting official’s decisions, or calling one’s fouls? The table below lists some examples of desirable and undesirable behaviors.
|
Behavior |
Desirable Behavior |
Undesirable Behavior |
|
Toward Officials |
-- Treat referee and linesmen with
respect and dignity
-- No misconduct
-- Thank officials after game |
-- Arguing with officials
-- Talking back with officials
-- Swearing at officials
-- Questioning officials |
|
Toward Opponents |
-- Treating opponent with respect and
dignity
-- Talking with after game
-- Playing fairly
-- Fetching ball
-- Helping hand to stand up
-- Avoiding penalties
-- Shaking hands sincerely
-- Humble in victory
-- Dignified in defeat |
-- Arguing with opponents
-- Making sarcastic remarks
-- Giving abusive comments
-- Swearing at opponents
-- Acting aggressively
-- Fighting with opponents
-- Blatant cheating (i.e. handling,
diving)
-- Jeopardizing the health, welfare of
opponents with dangerous play
-- Intentional Fouling
-- Refusing to acknowledge opponent
at the end of competition
-- Gloating in the win
-- Complaining on loss |
|
Toward Teammates |
-- Giving helpful advice, providing
positive encouragement.
-- Giving praise regardless Of ability |
-- Being negative with teammates (i.e.
arguing, swearing, teasing,
sarcastic, bullying)
-- Pushing, fighting in practice
-- Missing practice |
|
Toward Spectators |
-- Making only positive comments
before and after the competition
-- No talk during game |
-- Making negative remarks with
spectators.
-- Arguing |
|
Toward Coach |
-- Attending to coach
-- Full concentration during
participation practice/games
-- Being prompt
-- Bringing appropriate gear
-- Helping with equipment
-- Reporting injuries |
-- Talking when coach is teaching
-- Inattentive or disruptive behavior
-- Being late or absent
-- Forgetting to bring equipment
-- Leaving equipment on field |
|
Toward the Game |
-- Play the right way, by the rules
and regulations
-- Unselfish play (i.e. passing,
moving off the ball to help
teammates defensively, offensively)
-- Obey all league rules |
-- Trying to win at all costs
-- Playing as an individual, not for
team: selfish performance
-- Violating rules |
|
Toward Self |
-- Giving an honest effort
-- Doing your best |
-- Lacking self-discipline to
appreciate importance of 100%
effort/concentration. |
Teaching Sportsmanship
Discipline
Sound discipline involves two steps.
- Define team rules
- Enforce team rules
A coach must first identify what they consider to be desirable and undesirable behavior. A list of potential behaviors is listed above as useful guide for coaches. Players can be involved in formulating team rules at the beginning of the season. Rules of conduct must be defined in specific terms.
Enforce Team Rules
Rules are enforced through rewards and penalties. Some examples of rewards and penalties that can be used in soccer are listed below:
| Rewards |
| Starting |
| Playing favorite position |
| Being Captain |
| Leading a drill |
Receiving praise
- during team meeting
- to parents
- to player |
| Medals |
| Certificates |
| Penalties |
| Verbal reprimand |
| Being substituted |
Sitting out of practice
- until proper behavior
- set time period
- rest of practice
- sent home early |
| Sitting on the bench |
| Dismissed from drills, practice, game, week |
| Informing parents |
If good behavior is rewarded youth players are more likely to behave in an acceptable manner. Some examples:
- "We only had three fouls the whole game, that’s the fewest we ever had. Well done!"
- "I know you are all disappointed with the outcome of the game. I was very pleased with the effort displayed and the way you congratulated the other team after the final whistle. You are a class act!"
- "Everybody had the discipline to arrive at practice 15mins early to warm up. This really helped to make the practice worthwhile since we were able to accomplish a lot more work. Way to go…. Keep it up!
Penalties on the other hand, have to be meaningful to the players. Ineffective penalties such as shouting, being angry, embarrassing the player with a lecture, running laps or doing push ups make it difficult for the coach to have a positive relationship with there players.
Coaches should avoid using physical activity as a form of punishment. One of the benefits of soccer is aerobic fitness. Children should not associate these types of beneficial activities with punishment.
Communication
Once the rules of proper behavior have been outlined and the rewards and penalties have been determined, they must be stated clearly so the players understand them.
Any means you use to convey your ideas, feelings, instructions, and/or attitudes to others involve communication. Thus, when communicating with your players about good sportsmanship, your messages may contain verbal as well as nonverbal information. If your non-verbal message conflicts with what you say, your message will probably be confusing. For example, when you tell your players they should never question officials’ calls and then you denounce an official’s decision. If the need should arise to question an official’s call, you should ask the official for clarification in a professional manner.
Application
Actions speak louder than words. Coaches need to practice what they preach if they wish to effectively communicate with their players and avoid the loss of credibility that comes with inconsistent behaviors. For example, in the heat of competition if the star player displays inappropriate behavior that requires they should no longer participate, the rule must still be enforced. If not, the coach communicates to the players that team rules are not to be taken seriously, especially when the game is on the line.
Conclusion
It is the responsibility of adult leaders to teach good sportsmanship. As the leader, teacher, motivator and organizer the coach must communicate clearly with their players.
The really outstanding coaches engage their players in a quest to be the best—both on and off the field. The best they can be toward coaches, opponents, teammates, officials, and the game itself.
A coach, who does not inspire their players to strive for a higher standard both in play and behavior, may as well choose another hobby. They may coach soccer but they will never coach players…..At least not really well.
Competition is important, but winning and losing should be secondary to participating. We should not let the desire to win sacrifice a commitment to sportsmanship and fair play. Associations, clubs, teams and adult leaders who honor and reward good behavior and the ability to set the right example are on the correct path in developing character in young people. And character defines the person.