10 Skills to Help Athletes
Competing with Character

Sportsmanship Summit 2008

The Nebraska Schools Athletic Association and the Nebraska Coaches Association have been promoting sportsmanship in High School Athletics the last several years.  They have sponsored a Summit on Sportsmanship where they invite athletic directors, coaches, and athletes from around the state to listen to experienced speakers who are knowledgeable in this area and hope to pass on sportsmanlike skills to the students and coaches.  On Tuesday, November 25, Mr. VanLengen and seven juniors and seniors attended the summit.

One of the most entertaining speakers of the day was Kevin Kush, Head Football Coach at Boys Town High School.  They had just competed in the Class C-1 State Championship game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday where they lost to Pierce High School.  Coach Kush has written two books, the first is titled, The 100-yard classroom, and the second is Competing with Character.  The second book is what he talked about on Tuesday.  With the book, he has listed 10 skills that players should try to possess to be the best possible player and teammate that they can be.  He went on to tell about the tough lives that his players at Boys Town have had and how through discipline and caring for one another they have overcome their hardships and many have turned their lives around.  He also stated that they are certainly not perfect in following these skills, but they are working on it everyday.

Here are the “Skills” that he has tried to instill in his players.  Notice that none of these take any talent to do, they have to do with how you act as a player and as a person.

1.  LISTEN TO OUR COACHES

Tips for success

• Stop what you are doing.
• Look at the coach.
• Make an effort to concentrate.

2.  FOLLOW COACHES’ INSTRUCTIONS

Tips for success

• Listen to your coach the entire time he or she is giving instructions.
• Do what your coach says immediately and with energy.
• If you don’t understand, raise your hand and ask questions.

3.  ACCEPT COACHING

Tips for success

• Understand that coaching makes you better.
• Follow the coaches’ instructions without hesitation or talking back.
• If you feel frustrated, visit with the coach at an appropriate time.

4.  GET ALONG WITH YOUR TEAMMATES

Tips for success

• Make positive comments to teammates; avoid negative comments.
• Ignore irritating behaviors; don’t escalate a situation
• Remember that everyone is here for a common goal.

5.  HAVE HIGH ENERGY

Tips for success

• Do everything to the best of your ability.
• Hustle, don’t walk.
• Stay on task and avoid horseplay with teammates.

6.  RESPECT YOUR OPPONENTS

Tips for success

• Don’t trash talk or make rude gestures.
• Play within the rules.
• Ignore unsportsmanlike behavior from you opponent.

7.  BE PREPARED FOR PRACTICES AND GAMES

Tips for success

• Be on time.
• Pack equipment ahead of time.
• Double-check before leaving.

8.  WIN WITH CLASS AND LOSE WITH DIGNITY

Tips for success

• Congratulate your opponents, win or lose.
• Don’t brag or boast when winning; don’t criticize or make excuses when losing.
• Take a lesson from both winning and losing.

9.  HANDLE DISAPPOINTMENT AND ADVERSITY APPROPRIATELY

Tips for success

• Avoid negative physical and verbal displays.
• Learn from the situation.
• Work harder.

10.  RESPECT FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

Tips for success

• Use facilities and equipment the way they are intended to be used.
• Pick up after yourself and teammates.
• Report any damage to the coach.

If all team members try to follow these 10 simple “skills”, every sports season will be very enjoyable to the players and coaches no matter how many wins or losses that you have.

If you are interested in buying one of the books that Coach Kush has written, go to Boys Town Press and search for Kush.  He has these 10 skills on flash cards that you can buy as well as cards for coaches and parents.