Playing sports gives youngsters the opportunity to learn how to compete, develop strong conditioning habits and learn the concept of sportsmanship. In most youth sports leagues, the emphasis is on learning the skills needed to play the games well, but coaches also teach youngsters to try their best at all times and attempt to win. Coaches also have the responsibility to teach their players the values of sportsmanship.
Competing to Win
Young athletes might practice their sport of choice two or more times a week and then compete in one or more games. They put significant time and effort in and they want to feel good about what they are doing. The youngster realizes that the athletes on the other team also are competing to do the same thing. Sports teaches young participants that others go through the same process and respecting those individuals is vital.
Referees
In all sports, officials have to make decisions on the outcome of a play. This might favor your team or your opponent. Sports teaches participants that they must take responsibility for the outcome of an event and that blaming officials is wrong. Sports teaches that pointing the finger of blame is tantamount to making excuses and must be avoided, according to baseball hall of famer Cal Ripken, co-author of "Baseball The Ripken Way."
Play Fair
Those with good sportsmanship realize that winning in sports is not worth cheating your opponent. Deception and going outside the rules to win is not sportsmanlike for young participants. Playing fair is sportsmanlike while dishonesty eats at an individual's character. Ripken points out that one of youth sports' most important characteristics is building character.
Humble In Victory; Gracious In Defeat
Athletes value victories but quickly learn through winning and losing that one of the most important aspects is humility. Losing is not the end of the world. When you have tried your best, you have every reason to feel proud of yourself no matter what the results.
References
- "Play Baseball the Ripken Way"; Cal Ripken and Billy Ripken; 2004
- Art of Manliness; Guide to Sportsmanship -- Be a Good Sport; Brett McKay and Kate McKay; August 2009
