Trustworthiness

The principles of ethics and sportsmanship require coaches and athletes to always behave in ways that justify and generate trust. This includes demonstrating scrupulous integrity and honesty, keeping promises, and being loyal.

Honor the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules. A sportsman/woman does not use manipulative tactics or legalistic evasions to justify conduct clearly intended to be prohibited. This includes the official rules of the sport and rules regulating recruitment, eligibility, compensation, practice limitations, equipment tampering, drug and alcohol use, etc.

Never Cheat. Cheating is defined as deliberately violating the rules or traditions of a game to gain an unfair advantage. In some sports like basketball and hockey, the established traditions of the game permit a player to deliberately foul an opponent and take a penalty as a matter of strategy. This is not cheating.

Don't Lie or Deceive in Communications or Representations. A coach should not lie or deceive an athlete, parent or official in any representation. Of course, in many sports, deception of an opponent during a game is "part of the game." Thus, it does not violate the principle of integrity to "fake out" an opponent. Similarly, in baseball, the practice of a catcher "framing" a pitch to make a ball look like a strike has become a tradition so well accepted that it isn't considered unsportsmanlike.

Don't Fake Injuries. The concept of faking is for opponents, not for sports officials. Thus, it is consistent with integrity to fake an injury to gain advantage or extra time. There is some disagreement on whether it is proper to fake a foul, pretend a ball is caught though it hit the ground first, or try to convince a referee that an opponent touched the ball last. The purest interpretation of sportsmanship would preclude these attempts to dupe the official into making a bad call.

Sometimes Call Plays Against Oneself. In volleyball, many coaches train their players to call a "touch" if a ball hit them before going out of bounds and the official missed the play. Similarly, in tennis, many coaches consider it proper etiquette and sportsmanship to call a ball that hit the line if the umpire erroneously calls it out. And golfers are expected to report extra strokes.

Respect

Good sportsmanship requires participants to behave respectfully, being civil, polite even gracious. Coaches are expected to treat athletes, parents, officials and others with respect. As sports deteriorates into entertainment spectacles, one of the first things that goes is respect. In fact, taunting, fighting, insults, and dirty play are encouraged as a way of heightening entertainment value. Thus, professional wrestling has long abandoned any legitimate claim to be a true sport. Many people feel that professional hockey is moving in that direction.

Win and Lose With Class. Sports should be looked at as an honorable contest of athletic skill. The duty to show respect for one's opponents and the game itself requires coaches and their athletes to demonstrate grace and respectful civility whether they win or lose. Thus, bragging or boasting in victory are forms of unsportsmanlike behavior, as are complaining, blaming bad luck or officials, and whining in defeat.

Demonstrate Appreciation of Opponent. Coaches and their players should willingly and graciously acknowledge good plays and outstanding effort of opponents and applaud respectfully when they are introduced.

Help a Fallen Opponent. Coaches should teach their players to help a fallen opponent get up.

Shake Hands With or Cheer Opponents With Sincere Respect. Coaches and their players should sincerely and respectfully participate in pre- and post-game rituals including hand-shaking, bowing, or giving formal cheers.

Don't Fight With Opponents. Other than in strict combat sports (boxing, wrestling, martial arts), it is improper to fight with, threaten or personally insult an opponent.

Don't Permit Taunting or Trash-Talking. Coaches should not permit their athletes to engage in taunting, trash-talking, ridiculing or other disrespectful behavior.

Don't Use Profanity. Coaches of character do not use, nor allow their athletes to use, profanity or obscene gestures in practice or games. Profanity is inherently disrespectful.

Assist Opponents. One of the highest and most admirable forms of sportsmanship is when an athlete does more than he/she has to by assisting an opponent (e.g. lending equipment, offering help in warm-ups, etc.)

Show Respect for Teammates. Coaches should encourage athletes to demonstrate respect and appreciation for teammates by cheering, complimenting and supporting each other before and after events.

Show Respect for Officials. Coaches must be sure that their conduct stays within the bounds of respectful disagreement and should generally refrain from challenging or protesting calls in an insulting or combative manner. Under no circumstances should a protesting coach touch an official, kick dirt or throw anything at or in the direction of an official. Don't publicly complain about bad officiating.

Show Respect for Parents. Though parents can sometimes be a major problem for coaches, they have a legitmate and critical role in the athletic lives of their children. Though coaches can and should establish ground rules that preserve their autonomy, they should communicate openly and regularly with parents and be open to discussions and feedback.