How to Be a Good Sport, by Dr. Brad Schwall

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Share these tips with youth to help them show character in competition.
Winning is fun. It’s exciting and rewarding to work to be successful. Poor sportsmanship can keep teams from being successful and can take away the enjoyment of winning. The best competitors focus on doing their best and working as a team. Your
success depends on your own effort, not events out of your control. If you are working hard, you are successful and no calls or any actions by another team or player can take away that success.
Be a Good Sport with Your Teammates
·  Encourage your teammates
·  Do your best
·  Help them feel better when they get out or even make a mistake
·  Have a good attitude
Be a Good Sport with the Other Teams and Players
·  Tell competitors “good job” when they make a good play
·  Cheer for your own team rather than cheering against the other team
·  Tell the other team “good game” whether you win or lose
Never complain about another team:
·  Don’t say they cheated
·  Don’t say they got lucky
·  Don’t say they have all the best players
·  Don’t say they have all the worst players
Treat Umpires and Referees with Respect
·  Don’t argue with umpires and referees
·  Avoid disrespectful words, body language, or facial expressions
Be a Positive Leader
Team captains and leaders can help their teams succeed.
·  Show teammates the rules or the best ways to play rather than complaining when they don’t know something
·  Be positive
·  Be patient – everyone has different skills and experience – help everyone play their best
Good effort, a positive attitude, teamwork, and being encouraging can help you succeed in games and life.
© 2013 Dr. Brad Schwall, Author Cool Kids Resources for Schools and Parents. Permission granted to re-distribute these tips. The Cool Kids resources help schools develop positive learning environments, children build character, and parents effectively parent their children. Sign up to receive free parenting tips: www.coolkidschannel.com/parentingtips,