Teaching Good Sportsmanship to Students

"Good sportsmanship is when team mates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect" - Kids Health

Students learn the basics of sportsmanship from their coachs, teachers and parents. Students who see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike manner gradually come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to presevere and to behave with dignity whether they win or lose a game.

Teachers can guide their students to understand the concepts of good sportsmanship. Firstly making the sutdents shake hands with opponents before and after a game which displays respectful acknowledgment for opposing players. Teachers need to enforce encouragement and praise no matter the students outcome or results and acknowledge the students efforts. Need to encourage the students to play fair, and have fun whilst developing individual skill.s

Kids Health outlined many suggestions to help teachers, coaches and parents promote good sportsmanship to students.
1. Shout out words of encouragement, not directions from sidelines if not a coach.
2. Do not expect too much of the students. Do not go harder on one child only and do not play favourites.
3. Keep all comments positive.
4.  After a competition, it is important not to dwell on who won or loss. Instead ask "How did you feel druing the game?"
5. Applaud good plays regardless of who made them.
6. Set a good example, with courteous behaviour towards opponents and congratulate them if they win.

It is important for teachers, coaches and parents to ensure positive sportsmanship is conducted by students to keep the sporting field respectful, fair and fun.


Being the positive influence will go a long way with encouraging students to be sportsmanlike!

Reference: Kids Health. 2013. Sportsmanship. [ONLINE] Available at: http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/sportsmanship.html#. [Accessed 07 May 13].