Description:
This idea will work both at home and at school. If your school doesnÆt have any ôgood sportö guidelines for team sports, talk to the principal and coaches about creating and implementing one. (See our Top 10 Tips on being a good sport for ideas.)

Before each season begins, have each player sign a pact or letter of agreement. This contract will spell out in no uncertain terms that he or she will be a good sport at all times. This is something that should also be enforced school-wide. It should be clear to all players that any individual who does adhere to the ôgood sportö guidelines can and will be banned from playing on their teams.

Be sure to follow through. You must then bench any young athlete who refuses to be a good sport. It is up to the coach (with the support of the parents) to determine who plays and who sits. YouÆll be surprised how fast a child who consistently sits on the sidelines for inappropriate behavior will start following the rules to get back in the game to play.

Appropriate age group(s):
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond