Sportsmanship and Sports Officials
ATTITUDES shown toward sports officials is not always in the best spirit. Parents, and other spectators, sometimes show disrespect when calls go against their teams. Players oftentimes question the decisions of referees and umpires. Coaches, all too often, want an immediate explanation of a call.
What do these attitudes reflect? Do they reflect that officials believe they can make no mistakes? No referee or umpire with any experience will contend that mistakes are never made. Are officials overly eager to exhibit authority? The truth of the matter is that they do not, in many cases, put on display all of the authority given to them under the rules of the game.
Perhaps all of us need to recognize that the game rules provide that the official is the final authority at an athletic contest. Coaches and managers of athletic teams have developed the habit of charging onto the playing floor, or directly confronting an umpire on the playing field to question calls. This is - in reality - questioning the authority of the official. When their team has lost, fans often blame the officials who are doing no more than applying the game rules, regardless of various other factors.
What is the chief reason behind these kinds of attitudes toward persons delegated authority to administer athletic contests? Regarding community recreation - including Boys & Girls Clubs and Y programs - and church leagues, perhaps it could be due to an extreme desire, and possibly an over-emphasis, on winning. In many of these settings, emotions win out over good common sense and a spirit of respect for those who serve as sports officials.
Perhaps we need to be reminded of some key points - especially with regard to leisure activities and recreational sports. Games are meant to be for the purpose of good clean fun, fellowship, and enjoyment; they are not to be battles or fights. Sports activities are provided for personal growth and development - not to provoke bitterness or sorrow. And, games ought to produce a spirit and attitude of genuine sportsmanship on the playing field, on the court, in the locker room, and on the sidelines.
What do these attitudes reflect? Do they reflect that officials believe they can make no mistakes? No referee or umpire with any experience will contend that mistakes are never made. Are officials overly eager to exhibit authority? The truth of the matter is that they do not, in many cases, put on display all of the authority given to them under the rules of the game.
Perhaps all of us need to recognize that the game rules provide that the official is the final authority at an athletic contest. Coaches and managers of athletic teams have developed the habit of charging onto the playing floor, or directly confronting an umpire on the playing field to question calls. This is - in reality - questioning the authority of the official. When their team has lost, fans often blame the officials who are doing no more than applying the game rules, regardless of various other factors.
What is the chief reason behind these kinds of attitudes toward persons delegated authority to administer athletic contests? Regarding community recreation - including Boys & Girls Clubs and Y programs - and church leagues, perhaps it could be due to an extreme desire, and possibly an over-emphasis, on winning. In many of these settings, emotions win out over good common sense and a spirit of respect for those who serve as sports officials.
Perhaps we need to be reminded of some key points - especially with regard to leisure activities and recreational sports. Games are meant to be for the purpose of good clean fun, fellowship, and enjoyment; they are not to be battles or fights. Sports activities are provided for personal growth and development - not to provoke bitterness or sorrow. And, games ought to produce a spirit and attitude of genuine sportsmanship on the playing field, on the court, in the locker room, and on the sidelines.
posted by DrJ @ 2:23 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home