Sportsmanship & Character Development Flashcards

An athlete deliberately fakes an injury to stop the clock late in a game. What should a coach do?

Answer: Address it as a serious integrity violation and discourage such tactics

Faking injury is deceptive and violates the integrity principles central to sportsmanship and character development.

Which teaching method is most effective for developing empathy in athletes toward opponents?

Answer: Role-playing scenarios where athletes take the perspective of the opposing team

Perspective-taking exercises develop empathy by requiring athletes to genuinely consider others' experiences and challenges.

A referee makes a call that costs your team the game. Which post-game action by the coach best models character?

Answer: Focus the debrief on the team's controllable performance factors

Redirecting focus to controllable factors teaches athletes to take responsibility rather than blame external factors.

What does 'competitive excellence' mean in the context of interscholastic sportsmanship?

Answer: Performing at one's best while maintaining ethical standards

Competitive excellence combines striving to win with maintaining the ethical standards that define honorable sport participation.

A team captain bullies a younger teammate during practice. How should the coach handle the situation regarding leadership development?

Answer: Remove the captain title and use it as a teachable moment about servant leadership

Captains are expected to model servant leadership, and bullying contradicts that role and must be addressed with clear consequences.

Which stakeholder group does research show has the greatest influence on youth athletes' ethical behavior in sport?

Answer: Coaches

Research consistently identifies coaches as the most influential figures in shaping athletes' ethical attitudes and behaviors in sport.

How should a coach handle an athlete who celebrates excessively in a way that embarrasses opponents?

Answer: Counsel the athlete on how excessive celebration affects opponents and team culture

Coaches should proactively counsel athletes on how their celebration behavior reflects on themselves and the program's values.