Explain Good Sportsmanship

Sportsman Activity Badge: Req. 2

Scouting usually involves the Den, Pack, Patrol, or Troop playing some sort of game.  The Varsity Scout program is based on the team format involving Team Captains and Team Coaches. No matter your your position in Scouting or your age, it is always important to show good sportsmanship.  As you promise to Do Your Best, you agree that no matter how hard the activity is, or if the other team is winning, you will have a positive attitude no matter the outcome.  Sure it's alright to be upset or discouraged when your not winning... those are natural feeling.  What shows your true character is how you act upon those feelings. Even when you win it is possible to not show good sportsmanship.

"Good sportsmanship is when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect. Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives, especially their parents and their coaches. Kids who see adults behaving in a sportsmanlike way come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to persevere and to behave with dignity — whether they win or lose a game.

Parents can help their kids understand that good sportsmanship includes both small gestures and heroic efforts. It starts with something as simple as shaking hands with opponents before a game and includes acknowledging good plays made by others and accepting bad calls gracefully.

Displaying good sportsmanship isn't always easy: It can be tough to congratulate the opposing team after losing a close or important game. But the kids who learn how to do it will benefit in many ways.

Kids who bully or taunt others on the playing field aren't likely to change their behavior when in the classroom or in social situations. In the same way, a child who practices good sportsmanship is likely to carry the respect and appreciation of other people into every other aspect of life." - KidsHealth.com

Something to think about:
The next time you are at a sports event and the crowd starts to "boo" the officials or the other team... ask yourself if this is good sportsmanship?