Hey Ladies,
I went on the TFIM website this morning and I found this article. Ann Sophie and I were talking about a positive attitude on and off the court and I thought that this article summed it up pretty well. I thought it was very relevant, seeing as we are heading into the playoffs.
Let's remember why we play this game, why we love this game and why we love playing with each other. We have the best team, with the best group of ladies and we are playing the best tennis we've played, since we became a team in 2011. Let's also have the best attitude on and off the court too!
Let the games begin!!
BAILEYS, PLAY, PINK SHIMMER, WIN, WINE, LUNCH, WINE, WINE, WINE!! (in that order!)
It's the playoffs!!!! WOO HOO!!!
Sportsmanship
What Is Sportsmanship?
Sportsmanship is defined as:
- playing fair
- following the rules of the game
- preserving one's dignity
- treating opponents with respect
Some people define good sportsmanship as the "golden rule" of sports; in other words, treating the people you play with and against as you'd like to be treated yourself. You demonstrate good sportsmanship when you show respect for yourself, your teammates, and your opponents, for the coaches on both sides. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.
Win or Lose, Sportsmanship Helps You Get Through:
Everyone feels great when they win, but it can be just as hard to be a good sport when you've won a game as when you've lost one. Good sportsmanship takes maturity and courage; when you work really hard at a sport, it's not easy to admit you made a bad play or that someone has more skills than you. In competition, as in life, you may not always win but you can learn something from losing, too.
When you lose, lose with class. When it comes to losing, good sportsmanship means congratulating the winners promptly and willingly. Also, it means accepting the game's outcome without complaint and without excuses, even if you sometimes might suspect the opponents made some questionable calls.
When you win, the trick is to be a gracious and generous winner. Good sportsmanship means acknowledging victories without humiliating opponents, being quietly proud of success, and letting victories speak for themselves. Even if you win by a landslide, good sportsmanship means still finding ways to compliment your opponents.
Practicing Good Sportsmanship:
So what does it take to demonstrate good sportsmanship in real-life situations? Here are some examples of things you can do:
- Learn as much as you can about your sport. Play by its rules. Show up for practice, work hard, and realize that on a team, everyone deserves a chance to play.
- Talk politely and act courteously toward everyone before, during, and after games and events. That includes your teammates, your opponents, your coaches and their coaches and even spectators (who can sometimes be loud about their opinions).
- Stay cool. Even if others are losing their tempers, it doesn't mean you have to. Remind yourself that no matter how hard you've practiced and played, it is, after all, just a game.
- Cheer your teammates on with positive statements and avoid trash-talking the other team.
- Acknowledge and applaud good plays, even when someone on the other team makes them.
- When officials make a call, accept it gracefully even if it goes against you. Remember that referees may not be right every time but they're people who are doing their best, just as you are.
- Whether you win or lose, congratulate your opponents on a game well played.
Fair and Fun:
Good sportsmanship means not having a "win at any cost" attitude. Most athletes who don't have a "win at any cost" attitude are more likely to talk about how much they love their sport and how much personal satisfaction and enjoyment they get from participation.
Many forget to have a good time during play because they're so focused on winning. And, unfortunately, coaches sometimes put too much pressure on athletes, emphasizing winning at all costs. So although it's great to be a champion, it's even better to have enjoyed the process of trying to reach the top. It's best to play fair while having fun.
Sportsmanship off the Court:
Learning good sportsmanship means finding that the positive attitude learned on the court carries over into other areas of life. You may enjoy more success at work, because a big part of learning good sportsmanship is learning to be respectful of others, including customers and coworkers.
