1. Do Not Be That Parent

We all know that parent. Some of us are that parent. The one who screams at the refs from the bleachers. The parent who curses out the coach in front of his child because his kid didn’t get played. The one who ridicules the players who aren’t as gifted as others. That parent should be ashamed. Set the example for your child. Unless you have something NICE to say, don’t say anything at all. Win or lose, offer high praise for the effort. Thank the coaches for their time, which is usually volunteered. Teaching kids good sportsmanship starts with the parent’s behavior.

2. Win with Dignity

Winning is easy. It’s fun. It can also breed arrogance and bad behavior like taunting and mocking the losing team. Not very appealing traits in a person. SHOW your child to win with dignity—to shake the opposing players’ hands after the game and say, “Good game.” To be humble in their success. Coach Dungy is the model for winning with dignity.

3. Losing with Grace

As stated in the opening paragraph, losing is as important as winning. Congratulate the winners. Support your child at these times with encouragement and praise. Offer to help them practice more. Gently give tips on things that might need to be corrected. Emphasize positive actions as opposed to negative feelings. Hold your head high and be as humble in defeat as in victory.

4. Respect the Game

The showboat. The HOT dog. Yes, they can be entertaining and sometimes funny. Unless you are the Harlem Globetrotters, it really doesn’t have a place in organized sports. Teach your kids it’s okay to be happy, to celebrate, and to enjoy themselves because it is only a game. But they need to do so with respect for the game and the other players. Walter Payton and Barry Sanders were great examples of how to deeply love and play a sport with class, heart, and style.

5. Follow the Rules

Remember how John McEnroe used to go ballistic when a call didn’t go his way? He became famous for his ridiculous temper more than his skill as a tennis player. Rules are in place to make the game FAIR. To keep order. Teach your child to follow them and to respect those that are there to implement them. Be a good sport and acknowledge that not every call will go your way.

6. Point Out Examples

Nothing is better than watching a football game on a crisp fall day with your son or taking your daughter out to watch the World Cup. Great times and memories. Use those moments to point out examples of both bad and good sportsmanship. You are sure to see both. Visual examples are always an excellent learning tool.

7. Include Your Teammates

No person is an island. You cannot do it all alone. The ball hog is never a wanted member of any team. If your child is talented at a particular sport, that is great. Teach him to help the other kids who might not be as strong. To include them and to use the abilities they bring to the BENEFIT of the team. One child might be a great ball handler. Another might play excellent defensive. It’s a team and all parts are required to win.