Sports and competitions help kids develop social and emotional skills. As a coach, you should nurture a healthy sense of sportsmanship regardless of whether your team wins trophies and awards. Here are a few ways to help your team be fair and gracious toward their competitors.

How to Encourage Good Sportsmanship

1. Praise Generously 

It’s great to point out players who do well, but it’s equally important to praise effort. That way, kids will understand that hard work is just as important as success.

Clap whenever someone performs a good play or makes a smart choice, even if that means cheering for the other team. Doing so will teach your team to be happy for others and give credit where it’s due. 

2. Be Protective

Spectators and other participants may not be as willing to praise the kids as you are, especially when players make mistakes.

Be vocally supportive and defend your students if someone rudely criticizes them, making it clear that such behavior is unacceptable. This not only teaches kids good manners, but raises the team’s morale and self-esteem. 

3. Criticize Considerately 

That said, there may be times when you must help a team member improve their skills or sportsmanship.

In these instances, find a time and place for a private conversation so the child doesn’t feel embarrassed in front of others. Offer compliments in addition to constructive criticism in a calm, respectful tone. 

4. Show Humility 

Whether your team wins or loses, discourage boasting, gloating, condescension, and anger.

No matter who gets the trophies and awards, teach the kids to shake hands respectfully and thank or congratulate the other team for the match. This way, playing is more fun for everyone, regardless of the outcome. 

5. Promote Good Values 

Use games to promote moral virtues. For example, demonstrate respect for referees and encourage players to follow the rules, even if they could get away with breaking them.

Emphasize the importance of working together rather than trying to take the spotlight. Have a positive attitude and focus on nurturing friendships rather than obsessing over medals and titles. 

 

To commend your team’s good sportsmanship, get everyone trophies and awards from Trophy Outlet. They have over 30 years of experience creating custom trophies and engraved plaques for organizations in Keokuk, IA, Wentzville, MO, and the surrounding areas. They’re happy to help everyone on your team feel like a winner and will go above and beyond to accommodate your school’s needs. Call (636) 283-6167 to discuss a project, or browse their products online.