Are good Team Players good Human Beings too - Essay Example

in Greenwood & Kanters, 2009, p.299). This paper contends that team sports can potentially improve the players' character, but some conditions have to exist, particularly the existence of a “properly structured team sports program” that integrates character development. It is based on the belief that in order for team players to be “good” people, their coaches should also provide specific instructions that train and reward the former for “good” behavior too. This paper argues that a properly structured team sports program can develop good character by honing discipline, confidence, self-esteem, and teamwork attitudes and behaviors.

A “properly structured team sports program” is not focused on winning alone, but includes a shift in thinking about sports, where character development takes a central seat. Greenwood and Kanters (2009) defined the shift of team sports toward positive youth development (PYD). Positive youth development uses five development indicators, also known as 5 C's: connection, character, competence, confidence, caring or compassion, where these indicators are based from the studies of Lerner, Fisher, and Weinberg (2000) and Pittman et al., (2001) (as cited in Greenwood & Kanters, 2009, p.299). .

that sports can build good character, although some studies already indicate that it can be structured to improve several attitudes and behaviors (Greenwood & Kanters, 2009; Camire & Trudel, 2010). This paper argues that PYD is only one of the many ways that team sports can be structured to develop good character, especially since it actively connects sports with good character. It is important that sports is structured to enhance character so that it can impact character. Being a sports achiever can develop intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as improve discipline.

Participating in team sports can enhance discipline, because it is a structured game with definite goals. Team sports is about end goals that can be attained through relentless practice. Coaches encourage players to work hard by enhancing their mental, physical, and emotional abilities. These abilities cannot be improved over night and so the players practice numerous times, so that they can physically improve their bodies to fit their respective team positions and its demands. This embeds discipline ethic among players, which they can use also in other aspects of other life.

For example, in school, they will also be motivated to study harder for subjects they have difficulty with. Furthermore, team sports enhances the mind because of the visualization needed to win the game. The players should also “think” to win so that they can win. This can be quite useful in thinking about other endeavors also, such as in doing exams and being a better son, daughter, or Christian. In addition, team sports enhances the players' emotional abilities, such as the ability to accept failures and victories (Austin, 2010).

Players also learn perseverance, because when they lose, it does not mean that they should