Sportsmanship Minute

This Minute is meant for Scouts BSA.

We hear a lot of talk about being a good sport, but what does that mean? A good sport learns the rules so he will not violate them. He competes with all his heart, striving to outclass his competitors. If he wins, he doesn't act smug but instead compliments the losers for the efforts they made. If he loses, he should accept the fact and find out why. Maybe he can win the next time. A sportsman accepts defeat, congratulates the winners, studies how to improve, and determines to do better the next time.

"Show me a guy who's afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time." - Lou Brock, baseball

"The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime." - Babe Ruth

"You have no control over what the other guy does. You only have control over what you do." - AJ Kitt, skier

"Honesty is a form of honor. An honorable man can be trusted with any amount of valuables with the certainty that he will not steal it. Cheating at any time is a sneaking, underhanded thing to do.
When you feel inclined to cheat in order to win a game, or feel distressed when a game in which you are playing is going against you, just say to yourself, 'After all, it is only a game. It won't kill me if I do lose. One can't always win though I will stick to it in case of a chance coming.'
If you keep your head in this way, you will very often find that you win after all from not being over anxious or despairing. And don't forget, whenever you do lose a game, if you are a true Scout, you will at once cheer the winning team or shake hands with and congratulate the fellow who has beaten you." - Lord Baden-Powell, scout