SPORTSMANSHIP

As fall sports are in full swing, we thought it would a good exercise to think about sportsmanship – as a parent, fan, and athlete. It has been said that as a parent/guardian, the most important words you can say to your athlete post practice and games are “I love to watch you play.”

Parents and coaches who emphasize good sportsmanship help young athletes learn respect for others and self-control. These skills can help them manage other parts of their lives, and help them develop into mature, respectful, and successful young adults.

Youth athletes report “having fun” as the number-one reason for participating in youth sports (Visek, Mannix, DiPietro, Achrati, McDonnel, & Harris, 2015). Treating youth athletes like professionals by overemphasizing winning is a quick way to reduce their enjoyment in sports and increase competition anxiety and drop-out (O’Rourke, Smith, Smoll, & Cumming, 2011). A positive sport environment shaped by coaches and parents can increase the likelihood that young athletes realize the full benefits of youth sport.

Our therapists in Spanish Fork believe there to be 3 key elements of good sportsmanship.  

1. Respect the competition and act fairly.  Respect for competitors is a cornerstone of sportsmanship that has far-reaching implications. Athletes with strong moral values display good sportsmanship as they can reason out right and wrong, hence they are motivated to act in a fair and respectable manner.  

2. Show grace and humility in victory and defeat.  The way athletes handle victory and defeat speaks volumes about their character. Research has found that athletes who exhibit grace in both situations will receive widespread admiration and respect from their competitors, coaches, and fans. 

3. Believe in yourself and be a role model.  Studies show that athletes with confidence in their abilities tend to perform better and persevere through challenging situations. They are often role models for people irrespective of age and their behavior plays an important role in impacting how the population perceive the idea of sportsmanship. They also tend to inspire young minds.

We have many therapists in our Spanish Fork office who see children as young as 6.  Please call Alliance Psychology and we can assist you or your child on their journey to being a good sport on and off the field.  801-224-2313