What is good sportsmanship?

Good sportsmanship is when teammates, opponents, coaches, and officials treat each other with respect. Kids learn the basics of sportsmanship from the adults in their lives. Especially their their parents and coaches. Kids who see adults behaving in sportsmanlike way come to understand that the real winners in sports are those who know how to preserve and to behave with dignity - whether they win or loose a game.

Good sportsmanship:

playing fair
following the rules of the game
respecting the judgment of referees and officials
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, and for the referees, judges, and other officials.

But sportsmanship isn't just reserved for the people on the field. Cheerleaders, fans, and parents also need to be aware of how they behave during competition. Sportsmanship is a style and an attitude, and it can have a positive influence on everyone around you.