5 Ways To Teach Kids Good Sportsmanship

Sports are an emotive and primal activity, nothing quite beats a dramatic late victory for your team. However, the high emotions can also lead to some unwanted behaviour from our children. 

Teaching kids good sportsmanship helps foster more than just friendlier games. Sports are the vessel through which you can teach your child the importance of kindness and respect, both to teammates and to opponents.

This post will detail five ways in which you can help nurture your child's sportsmanship.  

1. Everyone should have a chance to play

At youth level, we need to remember that the aim of the game is not just to win, but to have fun! Encourage the less skilled players to have fun playing the game and to remember that sport is not just about winning.

As parents or coaches, we must be patient with these players and lead by example for our children.  

2. Be fair and honest

We need to make sure that our kids know cheating is not acceptable. The spirit of the game is about a clean victory through skill, perseverance and hard-work. These are values that a child can take into everyday life.  

3. Encourage teammates

The best teams carry their struggling teammate and support them. Encourage children to praise teammates for doing well and offer encouragement if they make mistakes.

Hurling abuse and destructive criticism needs to be avoided as it will foster anxiety and panic. A culture of encouragement fosters confidence and growth.  

4. Respect the other team

Regardless of the result, show respect to the opposing team. If the other team wins, we must accept the defeat, congratulate them on their win and work harder as a group.

If our team wins, we learn to be 'gracious in victory' and not boast or mock the other team in their defeat. Every match should end with a respectful handshake between opponents.  

5. Respect the decisions of referees and other officials

This one is important for both parents and children. During youth sports, it is not uncommon for parents to get aggressive and abuse the officials.

Lead by example and show your children that this is unacceptable and disrespectful behaviour.