Teaching Good Sportsmanship to Kids

Sports play an important role in the overall development of the child. When a child grows up he starts playing. At a very young age his game could be simple like hiding and running. As he grows up and starts mixing up with children of his age the process of development of sportsmanship starts. To begin with the child looks towards the parents who are his first and natural guides. In addition to the parents he will look toward the coach who will teach him the tricks of the game he intends to play.

During the age we are passing through there is a tendency amongst the youth to move away from traditions. The kids need to be reminded of the basic values needed to be followed to be a good sportsman. This makes it all the more important to train and remind our young ones as to what sportsmanship means and enable them to become good sportsmen in future life. For development of this habit the kids should be taught to keep the following in mind by.

• Kids should be taught to abide by the rules of any game they play. The child should not only be taught as to how to play but also as to how to play according to the set rules. A kid knowing the rules will enjoy the game more than a kid not fully aware of the rules.

• The kid should not enter into an argument with the coach or other people involved in the game. Anger always gives way to the performance so anger management is very essential for a sportsman.

• The kid should be taught about the importance of playing the game as a team. He should be aware that his action or reaction is going to affect the team as a whole. Unwanted act of one player will not be condoned by the team mates.

• The child should be told not to consider himself superior as compared to other players. He should try to act as a guide to the lesser talented player and encourage them to come up.

• The child should be taught that those who play fair have long standing and are successful in contrast to the players who try to shine using foul means. Cheating in a game will not help.

• The child should be taught to follow the orders and directions of the coach as he is a leader. Even in case of disagreement it should not be discussed in public and not in the presence of the coach with intent to vent anger.

• Teach the child that to be a good sportsman he should have equal respect for the players of the other team. He should not put an effort to let the other team members down. If they perform better and win, the defeat should be accepted with humility.

• The child should be made to learn to accept the orders of the coach or other team officials. Even if they have made a mistake it is not appropriate for the player to show unwanted and excessive resentment. The energy should be focused on the game only.

• The child should learn to end the game smoothly and without making unwanted remarks or other gestures on the other team mates. One team has to win and other has to lose the game. Even if the other team has lost, the child should not show signs of superiority and in case of his team losing he should keep calm.

If the child is able to remember and follow these basic guidelines while playing any game, it is certain that he or she will outshine others and will become a better sportsman and team leader during future life.