Being part of a successful basketball team requires good sportsmanship because players must rely on one another. For example, if a bad sport attempts to dribble through a crowd of opponents or take foolhardy 3-pointers, it's likely the other team will gain possession. But if basketball players help one another improve by setting a good example and working together to accomplish team goals, they increase the likelihood of winning.
Coach's Role
The coach plays a vital role in developing sportsmanship on the team. Effective basketball coaches not only teach players how to play basketball, they exemplify how players ought to act. For example, if players see a coach become extremely angry after someone misses an important shot, they learn that an appropriate reaction to failure is anger and frustration. If, on the other hand, a coach points out what team weaknesses led to the missed shot and then offers constructive criticism about how to mitigate the problems, players learn how to use losses as opportunities for improvement.
Recognize Good Sportsmanship
Another helpful coaching technique is to compliment moments of good sportsmanship. For instance, if a player congratulated an opponent who played well or made a difficult shot, the coach should acknowledge it publicly so the rest of the team follows suit.
Player's Role
Basketball players also can lead by example. For instance, when the coach orders the team to perform a drill, players who have good sportsmanship work harder than anyone else to meet the coach's expectations. This helps set the tone for the entire team, which benefits from seeing what hard work looks like and how a confident player approaches challenges with a good attitude. During a game, players should never foul opponents intentionally, break rules to gain an advantage or risk hurting opponents by charging into a crowd or being too aggressive.
Respect
In high-stress situations, players might make serious mistakes that cost their team the game. Players with good sportsmanship show respect for their teammates by helping them improve without making them feel bad about themselves. It's also important for basketball players to respect the competition. For example, it might be tempting for a team to respond nastily to an opponent who commits a dangerous foul, but a better approach is to focus on the task at hand and allow the referee to mete out any punishment. And win or lose, at the end of the game, players should line up on the court to shake hands with their opponents.
