What Is Good Sportsmanship? Good sportsmanship is when people who are playing or watching a sport treat each other with respect. This includes players, parents, coaches, and officials. How Can I Be a Good Sport? There are lots of ways you can be a good sport. You can: Have a positive attitude. Give your best effort. Shake hands with the other team before and after the game. Support teammates by saying "good shot" or "good try." Never criticize a teammate for trying. Accept calls and don't argue with officials. Treat the other team with respect and never tease or bully. Follow the rules of the game. Help another player up who has fallen. Take pride in winning but don't rub it in. Accept a loss without whining or making excuses. By being a good sport, you learn respect for others and self-control. These skills can help you manage many other parts of your life. They're also key to becoming a mature, respectful, and successful adult. Back to Articles Related Articles Dealing With Stress In Sports Winning is all that matters when you play sports, right? Not when that means you can't even enjoy the game. Read about how to handle sports pressure and competition. Read More Sports and Exercise Safety Playing hard doesn't have to mean getting hurt. The best way to ensure a long and injury-free athletic career is to play it safe from the start. Find out how. Read More Choosing the Right Sport for You If you're having trouble choosing a sport, this article can help! Read More 5 Ways to Beat Pre-performance Nerves Stressed out about speaking or performing in front of people? These tips can help you cope. Read More Confidence Confidence means believing in yourself and in your abilities – not in an arrogant way, but in a realistic, secure way. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.