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maskmatters.org
FALL 2017
educate
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sportsmanship
Considering these statistics, it’s not surprising that
children are quitting youth sports in droves, according
to the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports. Reasons
include: “because they’re not having fun, too much
pressure, too much emphasis on winning, overbearing
coaches and parents, and the coach played favorites.”
More and more kids would rather play sports videos and
online games in the safety of their homes rather than
subject themselves to the behavior of coaches and parents
out on the field or in the gym.
WIN-AT-ALL-COSTS MENTALITY
So why can’t parents, athletes and coaches behave?
According to sports psychologists, the primary reason is
the win-at-all-costs mentality many parents and coaches
instill in our kids. Even parents who try to teach their
children “it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you
play the game” are hard-pressed to get this message to
sink in when ads and commercials tell kids the exact
opposite, that winning is everything.
“It’s as though some of youth sport’s most treasured
values—like integrity, respect and the preservation of a
level playing field—are being discarded and thrown to
the wayside in the name of ambition and hollow victory,”
says Travis Tygart, CEO of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency,
in an opinion piece for
Huffington Post
. “On the youth
level, that appetite for victory…must not be allowed to
trample on the fundamental principles of fair play.”
Judy Dixon, the former women’s tennis coach at
the University of Massachusetts, agrees, saying good
sportsmanship—playing by the rules,
respecting opponents and officials, and
exalting hard work over outcome—is
one of the most important life lessons.
“Most of us go through life not
being what society calls ‘winners,’”
she says. “You need to teach kids that
it’s OK to lose. Everyone has a place
where they excel, and it isn’t necessarily
sports.”
A PARENT’S ROLE
When parents are considering sports for
their children, they should begin with a
little soul searching.
“Ask yourself what you want your
child to learn through sports,” said Karen Partlow,
former national director of the American Sport
Education Program, in an article for
Sports Illustrated for
Kids
. “Do you want your child to be rich and famous, or
a good person?”
In the Liberty Mutual
Insurance survey, the majority of
parents and coaches say teaching
sportsmanship is the responsibility
of the parents. With 80 percent
of parents claiming to play an
active role in their child’s youth
sports, the challenge isn’t parental
involvement; it’s taking the time to
instill the value of sportsmanship
in their children.
Parents need to have a
meaningful discussion with their
children about sportsmanship
and other aspects of the youth
sports experience that extend
into everyday life. Start with
a simple question: “What is
sportsmanship?” Focus conversation on abiding by rules
and respecting opponents, officials and teammates.
Explain that sportsmanship doesn’t have an off
switch. Reinforce that sportsmanship is important win
or lose, even on the practice field.
Commit to your role as parent in sportsmanship.
Emphasize that your child’s effort and learning is more
important than wins and losses, and that leading by
example is the best way to exhibit sportsmanship.
“Ask yourself
what you want
your child to learn
through sports.
Do you want your
child to be rich
and famous, or a
good person?”
– Karen Partlow
