WCPSS Sportsmanship Education Brochure

A guide to promoting SPORTSMANSHIP in your school

Includes materials on the "High Fives" to Sportsmanship

SPORTSMANSHIP EDUCATION
SPORTSMANSHIP TRAITS
"HIGH FIVES" TO SPORTSMANSHIP
CROWD CONTROL CHECKLIST
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP/ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"High Fives" to Sportsmanship

Everyone's "high five"

  1. Show respect for the opponent at all times. The opponent should be treated as a guest, greeted cordially on arriving, given the best accommodations and accorded the respect, honesty and generosity which all people deserve.

  2. Show respect for the officials. The officials should be recognized as impartial arbitrators who are trained to do their job and who can be expected to do it to the best of their ability. Sportsmanship implies the willingness to accept and abide by the decisions of the officials.

  3. Know, understand, and appreciate the rules of the contest. A familiarity with the current rules of the game and the recognition of their necessity for a fair contest is essential. Good sportsmanship suggests the importance of conforming to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.

  4. Maintain self-control at all times. A prerequisite of sportsmanship requires one to understand his own bias or prejudice and the ability to prevent the desire to win from overcoming rational behavior. A proper perspective must be maintained if the potential educational values of athletic competition are to be realized. Sportsmanship is concerned with the behavior of all involved in the game.

  5. Recognize and appreciate skill in performance regardless of affiliation. Applause for a good performance of an opponent is a demonstration of generosity and good will. The ability to recognize quality in performance and the willingness to acknowledge it without regard to team membership is one of the most highly commendable gestures of sportsmanship.

Coaches' "high five"

  1. Always set a good example for participants and fans to follow, exemplifying the highest moral and ethical behavior.

  2. Teach good sportsmanship and establish high standards for the athletes, parents, and fans.

  3. Develop and enforce penalties for participants who do not abide by sportsmanship standards.

  4. Treat opposing coaches, participants, and fans with respect. Shake hands with officials and opposing coaches.

  5. Teach the value of honest effort in conforming to the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.

Student-Athletes' "high five"

  1. Accept seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing your school and community; display positive public action at all times.

  2. Treat opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and fellow athletes.

  3. Exercise self-control at all times, accepting decisions and abiding by them.

  4. Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, never being boastful or bitter.

  5. Live up to the high standard of sportsmanship established by your coaches and help fellow athletes and fans maintain these standards.

Parents, Students, and Other Fans' "high five"

  1. Realize that a ticket is a privilege to observe a contest and support middle school activities, not a license to verbally assault others.

  2. Be an exemplary role model by positively supporting teams in every manner possible, including content of cheers and signs.

  3. Recognize and acknowledge good performances by athletes on either team.

  4. Give support to those participating in, conducting, and/or officiating the athletic event.

  5. Respect the judgment and strategy of the coach.

Cheerleaders' "high five"

  1. Help develop a reputation of good sportsmanship for your team, school, and community.

  2. Stimulate desired crowd response using only positive cheers, signs and praise without antagonizing or demeaning opponents.

  3. Treat visiting cheerleaders and fans with respect.

  4. Give encouragement to your team and recognize outstanding performances, regardless of team affiliation.

  5. Maintain enthusiasm and composure, serving as a role model.

School Administrators' "high five"

  1. Develop a plan for teaching and promoting the ideals and fundamentals of good sportsmanship within the school.

  2. Provide appropriate supervisory personnel for each athletic event.

  3. Be sure parents thoroughly understand what the school expects of its athletes.

  4. Recognize exemplary behavior and actively discourage undesirable conduct by participants, coaches and fans.

  5. Recommend to the county school board the employment of athletic coaches who are concerned with educational objectives and the well-being of students.

The Acceptable "five"

  1. Applaud during introduction of players, coaches, and officials and at the end of a contest for the performances of all participants.

  2. Shake hands with participants and coaches at the end of the contest, regardless of outcome.

  3. Accept all decisions of officials.

  4. Engage in positive school yells in a respectful manner.

  5. Encourage surrounding people to display only sportsmanlike conduct.

The Unacceptable "five"

  1. Yelling during the opponent's free-throw attempt, in a disrespectful manner, or to antagonize opponents.

  2. Booing or heckling an official, coach, player or cheerleader.

  3. Refusing to shake hands or give recognition for good performances.

  4. Blaming the loss of a game on officials, coaches, or participants.

  5. Using profanity or displaying anger that draws attention away from the game.

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