Impact of Character on Sports – Sportsmanship Bad Behavior – Mind of a Football Coach Davis / Parker
In this conversation about the Impact of Character on Sports, Coach Davis & Coach Parker delve into the importance of sportsmanship and character in sports, emphasizing how individual actions can impact the broader sporting community. It discusses the role of referees, the consequences of losing control during games, and the necessity of fostering a positive sports culture.
Impact of Character on Sports – Sportsmanship Bad Behavior – Mind of a Football Coach Davis / Parker
Find Mind of a Football Coach Podcast on Apple and Spotify to listen to the podcast.
Win with Class: Why Character Still Counts in Youth Football
Hey coaches! Coach Parker, OG Beast Coach here, talking about something critical we discussed recently on the podcast: The Impact of Character and Sportsmanship. After 30 seasons coaching and refining systems like the Beast Offense, I’ve seen a lot, but some of the behavior creeping into youth sports lately is genuinely shocking.
This whole topic kicked off when a member of my Facebook group, Coach Parker and the guys, sent in an Instagram video of a nine or ten-year-old youth player delivering a pre-game hype speech where every fourth word was cussing—like a pro talking to adults. I’ve also seen videos where youth coaches are using foul language as a planned strategy, believing kids respond better to it because of their home environments.
Here’s the straight talk: That’s a bad look, coaches, and it’s unacceptable at the youth level (14U and below). We need to step back and ask ourselves: Are we modeling the behavior we want our kids to exhibit? When we coach youth league, middle school, or high school, we’re teaching these young men how to be good employees one day. They need to learn how to speak professionally at a young age, because their future boss sure won’t appreciate being cussed out.
Another huge piece of this character puzzle is respect for the officials. We are facing a huge shortage of referees in all sports because people don’t want to be berated or physically attacked. What we often forget is that many refs at the youth level are not professional. They may be YMCA teenagers or volunteers learning the ropes. You have to reset your expectation.
We must remember the quote: Without an opponent or referees, you can’t play a game. If you lose your character after a bad call or a loss, you’re hurting the whole sport.
Instead of focusing on the bad behavior, let’s celebrate the good. I love seeing examples, like a fierce offensive lineman who helps his friend—the defender he just blocked—back up after the play. That’s character. Remember, great coaches understand that even if a player is talented, they will always go for character over talent, because character is eventually the winner.
So, coaches, let’s hold our players (and ourselves) to a high standard. Let’s focus on class and dignity. If you’ve seen great sportsmanship, tell us about it in the comments!
Remember: Play for winning is funner! and also Beware of the Beast….
Video Podcast Takeaways
When a call goes against you, it affects the whole sport.
Losing your character in a moment harms everyone involved.
Referees are crucial for maintaining fair play.
Character is tested in moments of loss.
Building a positive sports culture is essential for growth.
Sportsmanship is vital for the integrity of the game.
Team dynamics are influenced by individual athlete behavior.
Consequences of losing control extend beyond the individual.
Fair play should be the foundation of all sports.
Athletes must strive to represent their sport positively.
Podcast Keywords
sportsmanship, character, referees, fair play, sports culture, consequences, losing control, positive environment, team dynamics, athlete behavior
What are your thoughts on Character on Sports? Do you agree with us or disagree? Leave your comments below. We would love to hear from you…..
Let me know your favorite youth football play I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment below or find me on Social Media. Check out my private Facebook coaching youth football group.
Contact me anytime. I love to talk coaching youth football and the Beast.
Remember, Play for Fun and Winning is Funner!
Good Luck this Season,
Coach Parker
Keller, Texas, DFW, Dallas, Fort Worth, Texas
