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DEFINING SPORTSMANSHIP
Sportsmanship
Recipients
INTRODUCTION
"Sportsmanship" is defined as a set of behaviors to be exhibited by all those involved in RecSports, this includes: players, coaches, officials, administrators, fans and non-competitive participants. These behaviors are based on values including; respect, civility, fairness, honesty, and responsibility.
To fully understand the concept of sportsmanship, we need to ask ourselves why we compete in the first place. Why do we play games, sports, or participate in group activities? The reasons for participating in RecSports activities should be:
• For the "pure" satisfaction of playing
• To improve (or maintain) level of physical fitness
• To make friends or enhance existing friendships
• To develop a positive attitude - without your opponent, there is no game, no competition, and a lot less fun.
• To develop personal interrelationship skills - learn to get along with others.
• To develop positive values and morals - learn to be a good winner, a good loser, a fair and honest competitor, and an honorable person.
This code of conduct will serve as a guideline for Recsports participants (as player, official, coach, or fan); and it will describe how participants are expected to behave. Members of the University of Notre Dame, an institution of higher learning, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the University's values.
UNDERSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP
All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will not impair the enjoyment or safety of others. Respect for all players, supervisors, officials, spectators, and the game is essential for play. This is the essence of sportsmanship.
To successfully play and live within the boundaries of good sportsmanship, it helps to understand the motivation each person has in being involved in the activity.
• Players compete for many reasons - from improved health benefits to the joy of winning. Players don't compete because they want to cheat, to hurt others, or to embarrass others.
• Coaches (almost always working for free at the RecSports level) work with teams and players because they love to teach, because they want to help others, and because they enjoy the competition through their players' accomplishments. Coaches don't coach because they want to scream at officials or other coaches and players, because they want to get thrown out of games, or because they want to become poor role models for others.
• Officials (almost always working for near free at the RecSports level) referee games because they enjoy the sport and want to help others compete in a more official environment. It is a step up for most people to compete when you have officials, scorekeepers, and fans. It is close to the Collegiate or Professional stage that most competitors only get to watch on Television or as a fan themselves. Officials don't officiate to be yelled at by players, insulted by fans, or to make bad calls. It's interesting how we (participants, coaches, and fans) expect the officials to be perfect - we are very unforgiving of a perceived mistake by an official - but we accept errors by the participants readily.
• Fans attend events to cheer on their friends or favorites. They want to enjoy a good competition, preferably one where their team wins. Fans don't attend games to belittle officials or players from the other team, to lose control and embarrass themselves, or to be a poor role model for others in attendance.
• Non-competitive Participants are either seeking a new form of exercise or healthy recreation, or working to improve their skills and proficiency in a particular endeavor. They enjoy and are perhaps motivated by the social atmosphere provided. They do not feel the need to be better than others, only the wish to learn or improve upon their own skills.
Participating in RecSports activities provides many opportunities for many benefits - but the best benefit may be the opportunity to demonstrate the values, ideals, and morals upon which the University of Notre Dame was founded. It gives each of us an opportunity, however we participate, to be a role model for loving our neighbor, to display integrity, and to earn respect.
Smile more, frown less. Agree more, argue less. Enjoy the competition more than the winning. These are all simplistic guidelines, but being simple doesn't make them less accurate. It is amazing how much enjoyment can be had by all, when we participate with a focus on sportsmanship. It isn't simply abiding by the rules of the contest. It's competing within the spirit of the rules of the game. The spirit of play is based upon cooperative competition. Play within the game, within the rules, and within the spirit of the competition. Respect your opponents, as an equal half of the activity - without them there is no game.
"Honor the game" and respect your opponents. If you love the game, which most competitors profess to do, then honor the game by playing it to the best of your abilities, and the highest level of integrity. Don't stop short with your effort - giving 100% should include more than your mental and physical involvement - it includes your spiritual efforts. If you succeed at being a good sport, everyone enjoys the competition more, and you honor the game with your attitude. Unfortunately the spiritual part of our development is rarely stressed in competition.
Think of how you feel when you see good sportsmanship demonstrated. Think about how you feel when you see poor sportsmanship demonstrated. Some examples of good sportsmanship include:
• Displaying modesty in victory and graciousness in defeat
• Playing fair. Don't be a coward and rely on the referee to make the right call - if you know, help them make the correct call. Don't win on a mistake by a referee.
• Treat others with respect. If you can't grasp the idea of treating others, as you would want to be treated, try thinking of how you would want a loved one to be treated.
• Make your primary thought "playing" the game with style, class, and integrity. Don't make it "winning" the game.
ROLES OF SPORTSMANSHIP
FAN
• Spectators should show respect for opponents and officials.
• Exhibit "class" when cheering and supporting your school. Being a rabid fan and having social manners are in no way mutually exclusive. Acknowledge and applaud good plays, even when someone on the other team makes them.
• Respectfully acknowledge an injured player, for either team, who is leaving the playing area.
• Understand that all the calls aren't going to go against your team. The referees aren't out to get your team. Try to be objective...we know it's hard.
• Show respect to fans of the other team. Be a gracious host when it's a home game, and a polite guest when you are a visitor.
PLAYERS
• When officials make a call, accept it gracefully even if it goes against you. Remember that referees may not be right every time - but they're people who are doing their best, just as you are.
• Help the referees make the right call - compete with integrity. Don't accept a win through deception or error.
• Play hard and clean. Don't take advantage of others because you can get away with what is actually illegal or improper play.
• Smile more, argue less.
• Congratulate a good play by an opponent - it's okay to appreciate an opponent's abilities.
• Winning is NOT the most important thing. Safety is the most important. Fair play is more important. Good, healthy, close competition is more rewarding. If the only reason you're playing is to win - you're not "playing."
OFFICIALS
- Officials should officiate with confidence, not arrogance.
- Always give your best effort - the players expect it.
- Accept that you are not perfect and you, like the players, will make your share of mistakes.
- Don't abuse your authority - if the players, coaches, or fans display poor sportsmanship don't use that as an excuse to do the same.
- Don't accept poor sportsmanship from others as "part of the game." Model the behavior, be an example for others, and enforce the rules - the letter and especially the spirit.
COACHES
- Demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times - more people are watching you than you think
- Respect the other team - they're trying their best, as are your players.
- You have a unique position, normally near the fans. As a non-player, but as a participant, you are a mediator between the players on both teams, between your players and the officials, and between the fans and the game. It is a large responsibility - don't abuse it.
NON-COMPETITIVE PARTICIPANT
1. Display courtesy and proper social behavior with your instructor and activity group. Have a positive outlook.
2. Be on time for your activity, respect the time constraints of others.
3. Keep the facility clean and orderly. For example, put weights away and dispose of your trash in the provided receptacles.
VALUES
Integrity - live up to the high ideals of ethics and sportsmanship and always pursue victory with honor. Do what's right even when its unpopular or personally costly. By not making a wrong right, you are supporting the wrong. By inaction, you condone the behavior. If you know the truth, speak it loud and clear. In other words, don't hide behind the presence of officials - play as if you are refereeing the event.
Honesty - live and compete honorably; don't lie, cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Reliability - fulfill commitments
Loyalty - be loyal to your school and team
Model good behavior. Everything we say and do (and don't say or do) sends a message about our values, so make sure your messages reinforce good sportsmanship
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
- Be honest. Tell the truth; be sincere; don't mislead or withhold key information in relationships of trust; and don't steal.
- Demonstrate integrity. Stand up for your beliefs about right and wrong; be your best self; resist social pressure to do wrong.
- Keep promises. Keep your word and honor you commitments; pay your debts and return what you borrow.
- Be loyal. Stand by your family, friends, employer, community, and country; don't talk about people behind their backs.
- Be responsible. Think before you act; consider the consequences; be accountable for your actions; and "take your medicine."
- Pursue Excellence. Do your best with what you have; don't quit easily.
- Be kind and caring. Show you care through generosity, and compassion; don't be mean or selfish.
- Treat all people with respect. Be courteous and polite; judge all people on their merits; be patient, appreciative, and accepting of individual differences.
- Be fair. Treat all people fairly; be open-minded; listen to others and try to understand what they are saying and feeling.
- Be a good citizen. Obey the law and rules; respect authority; vote; volunteer you efforts; protect the environment.
Honorable behavior is built upon the pillars of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. Character development in sportsmanship is evidenced in honoring the spirit as well as the letter of the rules.
Avoid temptations to gain competitive advantage through improper gamesmanship techniques that violate the highest traditions of sportsmanship.
The emphasis on winning should never be placed above the value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of fair play or the skills of the game.
FIGHTING IRISH FIGHTING FAIR
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