"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,
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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
Sportsmanship is an important when you are in sports. When Sandy was coaching the Dolphins, an orphanage baseball team, he gave good
These aggressive attitudes and tendencies have been shown to have effects on one's judgement and the perception of their environment. An athlete with an over aggressive attitude who's judgement becomes clouded by aggression develops a disregard foe the opponent(s) that their aggression is being aimed at." I think the aggressiveness in sports - just making the play, charging past people or dominating somebody physically - really needs to be separated by athletes from appropriate off field behavior."(Tom Jackson, Univ. Arkansas psychology professor.)
Career achievements need to be based on professional conduct and milestones covered. However, the big sports associations such as Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) tend to factor in other principles as well (Withers 147). For these leagues, certain behaviors off the field are keen indicators that determine how a player is viewed. With such efforts, these leagues aim to maintain a standard that professional athletes can use to guide their lives. However, there are questions that linger regarding the forms of conduct that are deemed to be unworthy of these athletes. The question is also posed to the wider society since these professionals are a part of it (Schrotenboer
A more ethical approach to athletics is sportsmanship. Under a sportsmanship model, healthy competition is seen as a means of cultivating personal honour, virtue & character. It contributes to a community of respect & trust between competitors & in society. The goal in sportsmanship is not simply to win, but to pursue victory with honour by giving one’s best effort.
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" -Vince Lombardi I think this quote represents competitiveness because when you're playing with your friends at the park usually you just play for fun while on an actual court you play to win and you don't feel good no matter how hard you tried in the game if you lose, you feel mad. Victor shows a lot of this he tries his best but when he wins he is happy because he put in the work and he got the win, when he loses then he is frustrated because he played his heart out and still lost.
However, when we talk about youth sports, our main concern is with providing players with a positive, character building experience. Winning is not the only acceptable outcome for youth players, and coaches need to understand this principle. “With a winning philosophy young athletes may lose out on opportunities to develop their skills, to enjoy participation, and to grow socially and emotionally. Well informed coaches realize that success is not equivalent to winning games, and failure is not the same as losing.” (Enhancing Coach-Parent Relationships in Youth Sports, 15)
In high school many kids often choose not to participate in extra curricular activities saying that there pointless or that only a certain type of person would do something like play football, or join the chess club. While this type of thinking may get some people through school and through life, can it really be looked at as being a healthy lifestyle? Today sports have proven to be a healthy outlet for students, in dealing with stress in the classroom at home and among their peers.
Many people feel that American society is too competitive. Americans tend to enjoy sports and the concept of rivalries. Sometimes even a “family game night” can turn fiercely competitive. However, not all Americans are focused solely on winning. Competitions lead to a good outcomes because they push people to do their best, teach the reasons behind hard work, and form better athletes.
“Show me a good loser and I'll show you a loser,” Vince Lombardi once said. This saying could be the unsung anthem of American sports for children and teenagers. Everyone loves to win. In sports there is always competition. Is there too much emphasis on “the win” for kids and teens? This issue is important because it essentially develops the way children and teenagers think and react; it will affect them later on in life. Too much emphasis on winning is a problem because there is extensive pressure from parents and coaches, and the consequences can be severe.
I believe that the Olympics are about more than just sports. In my opinion, they are also about excellence, respect, and friendship. Excellence is giving one’s best. Friendship is building a peaceful and better world through solidarity, team spirit, joy, and optimism. Respect is the ethical principle that should inspire all who participate in the Olympic programme. According to the Olympism video, in 1956, John Landy showed friendship and respect by helping Ron Clarke get up after he fell in the middle of an Olympic race. He then showed excellence by still winning the race. In 1992, Derek Redmond’s hamstring gave out, but he persevered, and continued to hobble as fast as he could past the finish line. The Olympic value that this this showed
Ethics in Sports My name is john doe and I am the sports and recreation advisor for Stevenage. I am writing to every head of PE to express my feelings and opinions towards ethics and values in schools. My personal view of values in sport is that it comes down to the player’s beliefs in the sport and the standard he or she sets.
INTRODUCTION BACKGROUND: When a child actively participates in sports, they are able to learn life lessons in a fun and positive atmosphere.
tend to forget the reason for sports for children. They get caught up in the excitement
First, when we participate in sporting events the object of course is to win, but at what cost? Athletes spend time effort and energy to become the best at their event as they can. The need to win, be the best, this can override the consciousness of what is right. Winning is important but not at the expense of ones name or ones word of truth. Once a mans word is lost it is hard to regain.
My own interaction in youth sports has been many: As a parent, participant and an observer. My experiences as a child in youth sports were mostly positive. In my early days of sports in school, all children were encouraged to play for their school, skill level did not matter. There were no tryouts and no one