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Character in Sports
Iowa Institute for Character Development
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Parent Tips Six Pillars of Sportsmanship T.E.A.M. Game Plan Code of Conduct
Character in Sports
Representatives from the following Johnston Youth Organizations meet throughout the year to talk about various aspects of youth sports.
Johnston Flag Football
Johnston Girls Softball
Johnston Little League
Johnston Wrestling
Johnston Soccer
Johnston Basketball
Johnston Tackle Football
A Pursuing Victory with Honor training is being held January 8, 2006 for board member representatives from each organization.
Be a Positive Role Model
Encourage good sportsmanship by showing respect and courtesy to everyone
Demonstrate positive support for all players
Never use profane language or gestures
Never boo or taunt
Never promote violence
Respect Coaches and Officials
Remember, coaches and officials are the authority figures during games and practices
If you have an issue, make an appointment to talk to the coach and/or official at an appropriate time. Never throw a fit in front of your kids
Never question or confront the coach and/or the official or participate in name-calling
Teach Kids Winning Isn’t Everything
Do not de-emphasize winning, but emphasize adherence to ethical standards and sportsmanship in the pursuit of victory
Never trivialize either the desire to win or the importance of actually winning — it is disrespectful to athletes and coaches
Winning is important and trying to win is essential
It is one thing to be declared a winner; it is quite another to win with honor
Remember...Sports Should Be Fun!
The game is for the youth, not the adults
Praise your child for competing fairly and trying hard
Quality programs are based on the belief that vital lessons and the value of sports are learned from the competition itself rather than the outcome.
Promote sportsmanship and foster good character by teaching, enforcing, advocating and modeling six core ethical principals...
— Trustworthiness —
• Always pursue victory with honor • Demonstrate and demand integrity • Observe and enforce the spirit and letter of rules • Don’t engage in or tolerate dishonesty or cheating • Don’t compromise education and character-development goals •
— Respect —
• Treat the tradition of the sport and participate with respect • Don’t engage in or tolerate disrespectful conduct • Win with grace and lose with dignity •
— Responsibility —
• Be a positive role model on and off the field • Further the mental, social and moral development of athletes • Encourage athletes to be committed to their sport and develop academic skills and character to succeed •
— Fairness —
• Adhere to high standards of fair play • Treat team members fairly according to their expectations • Never take unfair advantage • Be open-minded •
— Caring —
• Assure that the emotional, physical and moral well-being is always placed above desires and pressures to win •
— Citizenship —
• Promote sportsmanship by honoring the rules and goals of the sport • Establish codesof conduct for coaches, athletes, parents, spectators • Safeguard the integrity of the sport by discouraging the abuse of drugs, alcohol and tobacco •
The T.E.A.M. Game Plan For Parents and Coaches
TEACH...
It is essential that parents and coaches consciously and consistently seek to teachathletes how to think and act in ways that develop and demonstrate the Six Pillars of Sportsmanship.
ENFORCE...
Parents and coaches must be firm in sending consistent messages regarding poor choices and resulting consequences. Teaching is not enough — you must enforce the rules that demonstrate the ideals of sportsmanship and good character represented by the Six Pillars.
ADVOCATE...
Make it a matter of pride with the team. Bea vigorous advocate of good character and sportsmanship in everything you say and do. Be clear and uncompromising that the Six Pillars of Sportsmanship must be demonstrated and applied to sports.
MODEL...
The best and only strategy for character development that works 100 percent of the time is modeling.
Spectator Code of Conduct
In order to make any game a positive experience, show good sportsmanship in the following ways...
• Behave appropriately — parents, visitors and students. Character Counts! in Fort Dodge.
• Sit in designated areas.
• Respect game officials.
• Let the coaches do the coaching.
• Cheer appropriately. Negative remarks and booing are not permitted.
Thank you for supporting your school, the athletes, the coaches and all the teams!