But I prefer to use as I have in past articles when discussing character education, the term core values. Parents support their children from the sideline, offer only encouragement, realize the game is their children's to play. Coaches leave their egos at home. Winning is not used by them to define their competence. Coaches reinforce good behavior by awarding it, emphasizing the positive rather than drawing attention to negative conduct.
Coaches help young players develop skills for handling game related or social situations.
Youth athletes should be taught, again by coaches and parents, that the rules which govern sport are no different than in life-if a boy or girl wouldn't cheat in school or steal, they shouldn't intentionally violate the rules of a game in order to gain advantage over an opponent. In general, youth players must have coaches who believe in the core values of fair play and sportsmanship, and who will discuss the difficult ethical situations and choices presented in games and practices. We should emphasize instruction, not competition. Our programs should meet the needs of all youth, regardless of mental or physical abilities. We should recognize that even though we participate and teach a sport which traditionally has the values of respect, discipline, and responsibility associated with it, these attributes do not automatically become part of the character of our students simply from their study of the martial arts.