Coaches Keep The Flame Of Sportsmanship Burning

The first and foremost guardian of the sacred flame of sportsmanship is the coach. His or her ultimate responsibility cannot be shuttled off to anyone else. Of paramount importance is that this trust cannot be shuttled to the referees. As the leader of the TEAM FAMILY, the coach is responsible to train each member in this basic fundamental of sportsmanship: respect others, and in so doing you will earn respect for yourself. Of course, the coach needs support in this endeavor from other members of the sportsmanship team such as the parents, and officials; however, the final responsibility of teaching lies squarely on the shoulders of THE COACH.

Why is the flame of sportsmanship sacred? It is because sportsmanship is the spiritual and moral side of athletics. It can permeate the soul of a competitor and lift sports to a lifetime learning experience where lessons of the heart are never forgotten. As someone has said, Sportsmanship is timeless, endless.

Good sportsmanship is viewed as a commitment to fair play, ethical behavior and integrity. In perception and practice, sportsmanship is defined as those qualities, which are characterized, by generosity and genuine concern for others. The ideals of sportsmanship apply equally to all activity disciplines. Individuals, regardless of their role in activities, are expected to be aware of their influence on the behavior of others and model good sportsmanship.

Sportsmanship's flame has always been a fragile and sometimes flickering light. What are some of the errant vectors in today's world of sports that threaten this precious ideal? Although gamesmanship always has been a negative force to some degree, currently it is amplified by taunting, hazing, harassing, gesturing, fighting, inciting crowds, questioning calls, and in-your-face competitive antics. Professional sports has many good role models for youth, yet there are a number of highly visible stars whom through words and deeds desecrate the foundations of sportsmanship.

Invariably, such behavior seeps down into the follow-the-leader tendencies of impressionable youth. When this happens, the coach must act as a filter to restore proper perspective to the sports scene. This is accomplished primarily through example, yet it still requires talking both collectively and individually to athletes in practices, as well as before, during and after competitions. The theme of discussion is basically treating others, as you would have them treat you.

Players should be well versed in the coach's expectations for the team. Such expectations as shaking hands with opponents before and after games, respecting calls of officials, and following not only the rules of the sport but also the spirit of rules. They should know what disciplinary action to expect if they violate the basic tenets of sportsmanship. They should be taught what the intrinsic rewards are that come from playing with honor, courage and consideration of others under all circumstances.

 
A coach who implores the team to practice good sportsmanship and then breaks under game pressure, consciously or unconsciously, engaging in a tirade against officials, completely nullifies the effect of his previous exhortations. Conversely, a coach who controls emotions while under duress gives the team a tangible guide for good conduct that words could never convey.

 
Winning and sportsmanship can go hand-in-hand. Losing and sportsmanship also can walk hand-in-hand. A key role of the coach is always to glean an element of winning from every loss. With good sportsmanship as a constant companion, this goal always can be realized. Good sports are winners in their own right.

Yes, sportsmanship is a sacred flame and the primary keeper of that flame is the coach. What greater challenge and opportunity could any career offer than the chance to help young people develop the spiritual side of their nature through the TEAM FAMILY with the coach as their exemplar.

Source: Wilbur Braithwaite