Definition Essay

Ms. Allred
English 3AP
12 December 2013
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship is fairness in following the rules of the game but it does not mean only taking part in sports and playing the game with rules but also playing the game with passion. A true sportsman is who observes all the rules in the game, someone who has achieved skill and proficiency in a specific sport. Someone who shows spirit during the games, character is shown on the field. Fair play is another way of showing good sportsmanship, one must always be fair in one’s dealings with others. Fairness and honesty are some qualities that must be shown on the field, a team should not cheat others. Respect for discipline is an essential part of sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship is like the golden rule of sports. Team spirit is another important element of sportsmanship. In games the players must cooperate with one another if they wish to be successful in a match. Without co-operation, success is impossible. One reason that sportsmanship is important is the fact that it promotes healthy relationships with your peers. Many spectators come to enjoy the competitiveness and excitement of high school athletics. Cheap shots and verbal attacks on athletes can forever stay in their mind, that’s why it is vital that sportsmanship is emphasized from a very young age. Throughout my freshmen and sophomore year I played an specific sport and that is football but it is not the football you’re thinking, it’s soccer, America the one place in the world where they call football “soccer”, however, in my freshmen year we faced an stupendous team, Carmel. We went to their home turf and Carmel began with their racist remarks, our coach told us to remain calm, the only way we can strike back without harming anyone is by playing our game and leaving victorious against Carmel, by halftime we were down 3-nil, they outscored us in the first half, but in the second half we comeback and we take the lead 4 to 3. I still remember the last play, the striker from our team shot the ball and it went in and we took the lead 5 to 3. The game ends and one of the Carmel players told me “good job, you guys did not give up”. Probably not all teams had good sportsmanship but at least one had the courage to tell me that even though earlier in the game he was one of many with the irrelevant side comments. I will never forget that game, in football season he saw me and recognized me and said “goodluck”, after the game was over I realized why he said that. If you win, that’s great, if another person does, you need to be happy for them and look forward to the next competition. Sportsmanship sets an example for spectators like children. Kids are very observant at a young age, so when they see a varsity athlete yell at an official or get into a fight during the contest, they are easily affected. However, if they notice that all of the players involved are very polite,they are more likely to act the same around other people. The spirit of sportsmanship shows cheerfulness even in the face of a defeat. When two teams play a match, the loser does not cherish any grudge against the winner. In fact the loser congratulates his opponent on his success and shakes hands with him. Fair play, respect for discipline and recognition of the need for teamwork and cheerfulness even in the event of defeat are the dominant aspects of good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship is worthy of admiration.