Win Well. Lose Even Better. The Art of Good Sportsmanship

There’s nothing quite like the high of winning, especially when you’ve trained to be your best at something. Sports give kids the opportunity to gain new skills, learn the art […]

There’s nothing quite like the high of winning, especially when you’ve trained to be your best at something. Sports give kids the opportunity to gain new skills, learn the art of teamwork, and experience the reward of success as a direct result of their effort and dedication. But what happens when your child works their hardest, gives their best effort, and loses? It’s natural to be sad and disappointed at a loss, but demonstrating good sportsmanship during the most difficult moments is what truly defines a star athlete.

What is Good Sportsmanship?

By definition, Sportsmanship refers to an athlete’s conduct before, during, and after engaging in a sport or competitive activity. Acting with fairness, courtesy, and respect are characteristics of good sportsmanship. It’s generally agreed that kids learn these characteristics from the influential adult figures in their lives including parents, mentors, teachers, and coaches, and that sportsmanship can be best taught through competitive activities.

sportsmanship examples

Ensuring Good Sportsmanship

The best way to make sure your child becomes a good sport is to enroll them in an activity like RecTennis, where the coaches and teachers value sportsmanship. Pay attention to the following indicators when considering a coach or sports organization.

Playing for the Love of the Game

An instructor’s focus should be on teaching kids to play for the love of the game and the joy of connecting with other people— not the goal of winning. Whether your child plays baseball, basketball, or tennis—fun is the goal and a coach who thinks otherwise is likely to teach your child conduct unbecoming of a true athlete.

Never-Ending Patience

An organization that values sportsmanship offers classes and coaching at all levels. Trainers meet a child wherever they are and for however long it takes them to progress. There’s no pressure or put-downs when an athlete makes a mistake. Adults demonstrate this to teammates and discourage negativity.

Good Coaching & Better Attitude

A coach who knows the ins and outs of their sport is a good coach. A coach who stays positive during practices and games is an even better coach. Yelling at players who miss a goal or a basket, or who fail to return a ball, is a sign of a coach who doesn’t value sportsmanship. They should meet loss with encouragement and mistakes with support.

How to Encourage Good Sportsmanship

The following are ways parents and coaches can help young athletes become good sports.

  1. Teach the rules and then teach the importance of following the rules.
  2. Make sure young athletes understand the importance of respecting officials. Remember to mentor the behavior, even when you disagree with them.
  3. Have young athletes reassure and support each other after mistakes and losses.
  4. Insist on losing like winners. Teach kids to congratulate their opponents for the good game whether they win or lose.
  5. It’s ok to feel sad about a loss, but it’s not ok to cast blame or be mean. Parents and coaches alike need to tell and show young athletes that this is true.
  6. Let the coaches, coach. It’s neither a parent or players job.

RecTennis programs focus on the joy of the game. Coaches teach players young and old in a fun and approachable atmosphere. Tennis is a competitive sport, but young players get plenty of actual play time in all of the classes and camps, and good sportsmanship is taught and role modeled at every lesson, practice, and game. Find out more about upcoming RecTennis programs near you.

Liability Waiver

Waiver of Responsibility Medical Release

I hereby consent to emergency medical and/or hospital service that may be rendered by or at accredited hospitals, by appointed physicians, in the event such need arises in the opinion of the duly licensed physician.

Waiver and Indemnity Agreement

Acceptance of my entry in these events is without responsibility of any kind by the USTA/Pacific Northwest Section (USTA/PNW) and any other entity sponsoring the event. I do hereby for and on behalf of myself and my heirs and legal representatives RELEASE and forever discharge the USTA/PNW, its officers and representatives, from any and all claims, demands, and injuries, howsoever arising, whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA/PNW and its representatives, representatives of other sponsoring entities, or by third parties, which injuries may be in any way related to my activities during the tournament and any period traveling to or from the events described, and all such claims are hereby WAIVED AND RELEASED, and I covenant not to sue therefore. The parent or guardian by signing below, does hereby agree to INDEMNIFY and hold harmless the USTA/PNW Section and its representatives and the sponsoring entity from any liability which they may incur to the entrant, howsoever arising and whether caused by the negligent or intentional acts of the USTA/PNW, its representatives, or the sponsoring body. I also give USTA/PNW permission to create a USTA account for myself and everyone in my party who is participating in the event.

Publicity Release

I agree to be filmed and photographed by The United States Tennis Association (“USTA”) in connection with such participation and that the USTA will own any and all rights in such film and photography of me (hereinafter referred to as “Footage”). This will permit the USTA to proceed with taking such Footage and I now waive, as to the USTA and its successors, assigns and licensees, all personal right and objections to any use to be made of me, my name, likeness, voice or personality in connection with the use of the Footage in any media for any and all purposes, including trade, advertising and promotional purposes, in perpetuity and without further compensation. I understand that in proceeding with filming and photography of the Footage, the USTA will do so in full reliance on the foregoing permission.

COVID-19 Waiver

By checking the box below you agree that you can currently answer no to the following questions: 1. In the last 14 days, have you experienced COVID-19 symptoms? Symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or at least two of these symptoms: (a) fever of 100.4 or over; (b) chills: (c) repeated shaking with chills; (d) muscle pain; (e) headaches; (f) sore throat; and (g) new loss of taste or smell? 2. In the last 14 days, have you tested positive for COVID-19? If you’ve tested positive, but subsequently tested negative for COVID-19 twice in a row, 24 hours apart, have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication, and other symptoms have resolved, then you can answer “no” 3. Have you been exposed to any individual who has symptoms of or has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or traveled to any known hot-spots for COVID-19? Exposure means a household member, intimate partner, or other individuals in prolonged close contact (within 6 feet for more than 10 consecutive minutes).

Additional Waiver of Claims

Players, participants, and any spectators or individuals that are participating in USTA and USTA PNW tournaments, programs, activities or events, acknowledge the risks associated with tennis, accept those risks voluntarily, and in consideration of their acceptance in the USTA and USTA PNW tournaments, programs, activities or events, assume all loss or damage, and any claim or demand therefore on account of injury and/or exposure to infectious syndromes or diseases to the person or property or resulting in illness and/or death arising out of or related to their participation, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. By participating or attending a tournament, program, activity or event, the players, participants, and any spectators assume all risks whether known or unknown. Furthermore, players, participants, and spectators agree to hold harmless the USTA, USTA PNW, and the host facility, their officials, (Released Parties) and the Released Parties employees and agents with respect to any injury or loss caused by negligence or otherwise to the fullest extent permitted by law.

I have read and understand the foregoing releases and indemnity agreement I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract and I sign it of my own free will.