Is your child a good sport when he competes?

What does being a good sport look like in the everyday nitty gritty of your child’s games and practices? In the midst of the blood, sweat and tears of child’s play?

When you see the signs, notice them, affirm them and encourage your child to continue exercising good sportsmanship.

Signs of a good sport

• A good sport congratulates his or her teammates for outstanding performance and effort. High fives and fist bumps will do.
• A good sport acknowledges an opponent’s outstanding performance and effort. More high fives or fist bumps.
• A good sport stays positive when pulled out of the game, even if he’s eager to keep playing.
• A good sport does not argue or talk back to the coach.
• A good sport does not mouth off or argue with officials.
• A good sport supports the team by cheering and encouraging even if he is on the bench.
• A good sport does not blame teammates for mistakes; he accepts responsibility for his own errors and if a teammate does mess up, he pats him on the back and tells him he’ll get it next time.
• A good sport offers a helping hand to any player who has fallen–friend or foe.
• A good sport looks for ways to help the team and make his teammates look better instead of focusing on how good he looks.
• A good sport congratulates the other team and coach after the game, win or lose.
   

Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach's wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks. She authored the Sports Parenting Survival Guide Series and has a podcasting series for sports parents. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.