As unpleasant as it is to admit, amateurs lack basics for sporting. Understanding and accepting this limitation is perhaps, the first step towards mastering sportsmanship. It all starts with the basics.
To start off, you will need to participate in numerous sports, swap high fives with members of the opposing teams in any particular match. It may seem as insignificant gesture but it prepares you for true team work. By doing so, you will realize it builds groundwork for good team work and team play. While at it, you will need to observe a number of principles that will guide you in sportsmanship.
Follow the rules
The popular phrase ‘play by the rules’ is very important in this scenario. Every game has established rules. You will want to play by them if you are to succeed and master the tactics and skills of the game. As a result, you will learn that victories are more meaningful and enjoyable when they are rightfully earned.
Owning mistakes
You don’t want to be the one blaming others for your mistakes. Instead, accept responsibility for any mistake you commit and move on. That way, you will learn faster and enjoy the experience as opposed to blaming others for your mistakes and getting credit for it.
Courtesy is a magic play
Good mannerisms always apply in any context. It will also apply while playing in the field if you embrace it. When courtesy requires you to say thank you another for a kind gesture, please do. You will realize how beneficial it will unravel events to your benefit. It does not hurt to thank volunteers. Your couch, referees, assistants and any other official devote their efforts in helping you. Therefore, they deserve your appreciation.
Be a good friend
Your teammate may get injured. To be a good friend, lend a helping hand even before the side helpers and any other official arrives on the scene. Equally, you should also be a good friend even to a team player of your opposing team. It is a sign of maturity and growth.
Shake hands after a game
It is a nice thing to swap hive fives with players of opposing team after a game. Doing so is one way of appreciating a good match that your competitors took you to task. After all, the match provided you the opportunity and platform to learn a skill or two as you practice and play at the same time.
Embrace grace even when you lose
Being gracious in any game is one way of appreciating the outcome of the match. After all, you can either win lose or draw in any game. Any of these outcomes is possible and should be welcome whatsoever. Important to note is that losing is part of the game. You learn a lesson or two, which you should implement next time you have a match. Gratitude will also enable you not to carry on hatred and any other negative emotions even after the game is over.
