Poor Sport

Ever since I attended a Love & Logic conference last year, I have been a true believer in the practical teaching and parenting techniques developed by Jim Fay. On a daily basis I find myself resisting the urge to save the students from a challenge, and instead empowering them with the choice to overcome a challenge with their own respectful and responsible decision. If I had a dollar for every time I said, "Oh no. What are you going to do?" Obviously, there are times when the students need my help and support, but more often than not they solve the problem by themselves, and I can see the empowerment it brings them.

I received the below article entitled "Poor Sport" from the Insider's Club Weekly Email and really liked the message about the importance of "being a good person rather than just a good soccer player", and the idea for a loving (and logical) lesson on sportsmanship. As we have been playing soccer, and practicing the skills needed to play the game this past week or so, the article really resonated with me. I hope you find the article as interesting as I did, as it touches on the importance of sportsmanship in addition to students feeling confident with the skills of the game.


Poor Sport  By: Jim Fay
Love & Logic Insider's Club Weekly Email


Jason was having a bad day on the soccer field, yelling out criticisms to his teammates. "Settle down, Jason," warned his coach. "Give the others a break. It's not all about you. Share the ball or I'm going to have to pull you from the game."


Hearing this, Jason ran screaming at two of the other players, pushed one down and kicked the ball over the fence. Needless to say, he was pulled from the game.


The trip home was no fun for his mom as she listened to him complaining about how stupid the other kids were and how unfair the coach was treating him. All she could think about was that her son had forgotten their talks that it is more important to be a good person and a good sport than it is to be a soccer star.


The next day, Mom made phone calls to the coach and to several of the other team mothers. "I need your help to teach Jason the importance of becoming a good person rather than just a good soccer player. Would you be willing to charge Jason if he calls for rides to games? You would? Oh, thank you so much."


Mom then had a discussion with Jason. "I take you to your soccer games because it's fun for me. Your last game wasn't fun. I was embarrassed by your behavior. I will drive you to your game again some day after the coach tells me that you have become a good sport."


"How am I supposed to get to the games if you're not driving me?"


"Well, sweetie, that's something I was wondering about as well."


"I'll just get a ride with some of the other guys."


After making several calls, Jason yelled, "This is a rip off! All the other moms want to charge me to ride with them. They don't even care if the team loses! This stinks!"


Mom held the line. After several weeks and Jason having spent $20.00 on rides, the coach called with a good report and lavish thanks to this courageous mother.


The remaining games were a lot more fun for both Jason and his mother.