AP Photo/Matt Slocum
Tonight is the smackdown between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks. It's hold-your-breath tense as fans await the competition. It's also National Etiquette Week (apparently Mark Cuban didn't get the memo). What can parents of teens garner from the hubbub surrounding comments made between the two teams? Plenty.
Roughly 75% of all boys and girls in the United States play organized sports, according to a study commissioned by the Women's Sports Foundation. It's a big part of a lot of kids' lives. Many parents like organized sports as an extracurricular activity because of lessons learned that kids can use in all areas of life.
The study, titled "Go Out and Play: Youth Sports in America," documented increased family wellness due to children's participation in sports and exercise. When children are young and just starting out on a team, it's a black and white world: play by the rules; respect your opponent; share your snack; and be a good loser. These basics continue to apply as young athletes age. All the way to the pros.
Last Saturday, TV audiences witnessed Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, throw a (read: another) tantrum after the Mavericks lost to the Nuggets. Stomping, shoving a cameraman, shouting at Kenyon Martin's mother. Not the finest example of sportsmanship, and you can be sure a lot of teen athletes were watching and discussing it the next day in locker rooms across the country. Cuban wrote an apology to KMart's mother on blog maverick: the mark cuban weblog, admitting to "a smartass comment," but goes on to say he knows "no one heard." (Really?)
Even Tiger Woods loses his cool at times; but, for teens especially, anger and frustration are major factors in sparking bad sportsmanship. Tonight's Nuggets game is a good opportunity to discuss the spirit of competition and manners with your teen. Good sportsmanship provides lifetime benefits, whether they're competing on a field or in a debate auditorium. Steven Dowshen, MD, Chief Medical Editor at KidsHealth's ForTeens, endorses the following actions teens can take toward good sportsmanship:
- Learn the rules of your game then follow them.
- Talk politely before, during and after the competition to teammates, opponents, coaches of both sides, officials, and spectators.
- Stay cool, even if others lose it.
- Avoid violence to settle a dispute; seek help from an official or coach. Anger is a main reason for penalties in organized sports for teens.
- Cheer your teammates and don't trash-talk your opponents.
- Acknowledge all good plays, even if they're made by the other team. Respect your sport.
- Accept officials' calls gracefully, even if you disagree. Even referees are not correct 100% of the time.
- Congratulate your opponents on a game well played whether you win or lose.
Game on.
For more info:
NBA Playoffs: Dallas vs. Denver
Comments
Mark Cuban and Dallas Mavericks fans who engaged in verbal threats and insults to the family members of the Denver Nugget players who attended Monday night's game should feel ashamed. That type of reprehensible behavior sets a terrible precedent at American Airlines arena. How dare they call the Nuggets "thugs" and then engage in such horrendously disrespectful behavior. Evidently it begins at the top and then trickles down all the way from the owner to the fans. Someone in Mark Cuban's position should conduct himself much more gracefully, and he should do much more than apologize on his blog and offer to buy Kenyon Martin's family dinner. He should issue a statement to his fans outlining strategies to manage their anger, respect opposing teams family members and conduct themselves with etiquette.
balleradogold,
Agreed. We moved to Denver over 10 years ago from Dallas. Cuban's negative public actions are detracting from the good ball the Mavs have played. He has to consider, as you mentioned, his position. Just because you can (and have the money to do it), doesn't mean you should.
Sheryl- you are 110% correct, Cuban was out of line,and he should be ashamed, but this type of play does not help...:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dC-pzv34c50
(Kenyon Martin's flagrant foul on Dirk Nowitzki - after the 1st whistle blew.
And the Denver coaches comment about the foul: "Nuggets coach George Karl, meanwhile, applauded Martin's foul Monday afternoon before learning of the league's ruling. It was the first overt show of Game 1 physicality after a slow start from the Nuggets, whose active hands and aggression gradually wore the Mavs down, contributing to eight Dallas turnovers in the decisive fourth quarter alone to break open an 82-80 game."
C'mon adults- grow up!! :-)
Cheers,Dave (Pops) D.
Point taken, Dave! Thanks for the link and response. It's nice to see Dallas and Denver FANS getting along at least :)
I was not able to watch the game but my son did. He was talking about it to his dad the next day after the game. Yes I agree that it was not a very nice example for all the kids and teens. This is a very good example for sportsmanship and the tips are spot on.
Kudos!
Jenna
www.parenting411.com
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