5 Qualities to Show Good Sportsmanship

We all have experienced, or at some point will experience poor sportsmanship. Unfortunately, today most games are governed by a group of referees who have minimal understanding of the game, very little time watching it, and most importantly, cannot see every player on the floor.

What is sportsmanship?

Sportsmanship is defined as the qualities of fairness, ethics, honesty, and respect that are demonstrated in sports. Good sportsmanship differs from country to country and culture to culture. For example, what may be considered good sportsmanship in one culture, may not be seen as such in another. However, some general qualities are universally seen as good sportsmanship. 

The term "sportsmanship" can also refer to spectators, such as fans in the stands and referees on the sidelines. Since hostility is frequently a necessary component of play, sportsmanship doesn't entail being kind to your opponents. Being a good sport entails acting with decency and grace and refraining from showing disrespect to others while playing.

Some examples of good sportsmanship include: playing by the rules, controlling your temper, treating opponents with respect, being a good winner or loser, and putting the team before yourself. Demonstrating good sportsmanship shows that you have respect for yourself, your opponents, and the game itself. It can also help build positive relationships on and off the field of play.

What are the qualities of good sportsmanship?

Many qualities make up good sportsmanship. First and foremost, good sportsmanship is about being a good sport. It’s about playing fair, respecting your opponents, and following the rules.

It’s also about being a gracious winner and a good loser. Good sportsmanship means celebrating your victories with humility and grace, and taking your losses in stride.

Try to learn from your mistakes if you lose rather than venting on the opposition. For instance, practice returning the balls that caused you the greatest difficulty if you frequently make forced errors during a tennis match.

A bad attitude might demoralize the entire team, reducing everyone's enjoyment of the competition. The spirit of the game can be dampened by inappropriate or childish behavior, which also makes players appear immature. When playing team sports, positivity is a crucial quality.

Lastly, good sportsmanship is about respecting the officials and other adults involved in the game. It’s about displaying good character on and off the field.

So those are some of the qualities that make up good sportsmanship. What do you think? What qualities would you add to the list?

Why is good sportsmanship essential?

Because it increases everyone's enjoyment of the competitive activity, good sportsmanship is crucial. During sporting events like tennis matches or basketball games, winning might seem like the most vital factor, but excellent sportsmanship teaches competitors how to be courteous and respectful to others. Poor sportsmanship can detract from the fun of the game and generate a hostile environment.

Five tips for exhibiting good sportsmanship

• It is essential to be a good role model for young athletes and set the tone for sportsmanship.

• Be gracious in victory and humble in defeat. Winning does not imply that one team is better than the other; rather, it indicates that the winning team made the best effort possible to win the game.

• Resist the desire to speak negatively about others or tease them by maintaining emotional control: Being a sourpuss when another player or team succeeds isn't attractive, but neither is bragging about your success. You can celebrate your success and be joyful for yourself without making fun of or mocking your opponents.
  

• Respect your teammates, officials, and opposition. After a game, it's customary in many sports to shake hands with the opposing player or team. No matter the outcome, shaking hands demonstrates your respect for the other participants.
  

• Play honestly and diligently: Cheating during a game is bad sportsmanship. A level playing field is a need for fair play. Everyone who competes in sports has an equal chance of winning, and no one has a bigger advantage or disadvantage than everyone else.