Team Elite has been together for 4 years. We started playing as a team when the players were 4 years old, and most have been with us since then. However, we have added great new players to our team as the years passed and we are happy they are now apart of Team Elite Basketball! We coach and stress fundamentals as a foundation to learning basketball. We are Elite because of the way we practice, train as well as prepare for game days. Our team has a passion to get better every time we meet. There is more to sports than just the game, there is also team working, helping your teammate, working together for one cause as well as pushing yourself and your teammates to be the best you can be. Athletes showing good sportsmanship is not only in the best interests of the sport but also in the best interests of the coach. A young athlete’s conduct will reflect directly on their coach.
There is no doubt that a coach’s attitude will rub off on his or her athletes. In the lead-up to an event, if a coach makes disrespectful comments or belittles or mocks an opponent as a tactic to somehow “motivate” his or her athletes, the coach is giving their permission for the athletes to act in this way as well. Any poor sportsmanship on the part of a coach immediately erodes any authority that the coach has to demand good sportsmanship from his or her athletes.
Poor sportsmanship can often be predicted in advance of it occurring. I can see it coming a mile away by taking note of a group’s demeanor. Poor discipline, a lack of pride in appearance, too much swagger, lots of smirking, an air of superiority and a lack of respect towards their own coaches/managers, are some predictors.
When in discussions with young athletes, coaches need to speak about the opposition with respect. The opposition should be spoken about as real people and not some faceless “enemy”.
When coaches interact with opposition coaches or athletes, they must demonstrate respect. For example, I always ensure that my athletes see me approach, shake hands, smile and chat with the opposition coaches. This communicates that a camaraderie and good will exists between the coaches that will hopefully filter down to the athletes.
Creating a self-fulfilling prophecy among athletes by making statements that begin with “This is a team that always….” or “This team is known for…” and adding whatever reference to good sportsmanship you feel necessary can have a positive effect. For example, if a team has a significant history, athletes need to feel a duty to maintain and build on the hard work that has been done by those before them to create a positive team reputation.
Guidelines for Team Member Behavior.
Respect for Teammates and Team.
Our Team Members:
•Compete for their team and their teammates.
•NEVER EVER give up.
•Demonstrate their best effort all the time – ahead or behind.
•Look professional; act professional.
•Stay with their team. Support their teammates.
Respect for Other Teams.
Our Team Members:
•Do not yell at opponents from the sidelines.
•Cheer their teammates; but not when athletes from other teams make an error or don’t perform well.
•Shake hands meaningfully after an event.
•Treat the athletes and management from other teams with respect.
•Don’t pout or carry on if they make an error or don’t perform well. (They learn from it and get on with it).
•Do not whine or make excuses, especially when talking with athletes from other teams.
•Don’t ever act smart or cocky. (If we come in first, we don’t rub it in).
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