Being a good sport means showing a positive attitude and staying composed, even when things don’t go as planned or when faced with tough situations. This quality usually shines in competitive environments, particularly among young clients who learn to handle both wins and losses gracefully.
The Being a Good Sport handout teaches clients the value of playing fairly, being gracious in victory, and accepting defeat with dignity. It is divided into three sections: defining good sportsmanship, outlining ways to demonstrate it, and identifying situations where being a good sport is important. It also lets them think of other scenarios where being a good sport can be helpful.
Kids and teens using this handout can approach various activities with a more positive mindset, which reduces frustration or conflict. With consistent practice, they not only enhance their own experiences but also inspire others to adopt good sportsmanship.
To reinforce these lessons, teachers and parents can model good sportsmanship during family games or school events and provide feedback on fair play. Discussing both positive and negative sports experiences can also help them internalize these valuable traits.
Our Sportsmanship Worksheets are a nice add-on to this handout.
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References:
- Abad Robles, M. T., Navarro Domínguez, B., Cerrada Nogales, J. A., & Giménez Fuentes-Guerra, F. J. (2021). The development of respect in young athletes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE, 16(6), e0252643. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252643
- Ryska, T. A. (2003). Sportsmanship in young athletes: The role of competitiveness, motivational orientation, and perceived purposes of sport. The Journal of Psychology, 137(3), 273-293. https://doi.org/10.1080/00223980309600614
- Temel, A., Altun Ekiz, M., Akdağcık, İ. U., & Kangalgil, M. (2023). Investigation of secondary school students' sportsmanship behaviors in physical education and sports lesson. Ankara Üniversitesi Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Yüksekokulu SPORMETRE Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, 105–116. https://doi.org/10.33689/spormetre.1187404
