RESPONSIBILITY

June1999

Teach players to be accountable for their behavior. Teach players to think before they act as there are consequences for all behaviors.

Duty :

• DO: Acknowledge and meet your moral and legal obligations. Do what you should do even when you don't want to.

• DON'T: Quit.

Accountability:  Don't allow blame someone else for your shortcomings or take credit when it is not deserved.

• DO: Accept responsibility for the consequences of your choices. Help athletes understand what they do and don't do is a choice. Think before you act. Set a good example. Do what you can to make thing the best they can be. Be on time.

• DON'T: Make excuses or blame others. Look the other way hoping the situation will get better on its own.

Pursue Excellence:  Teach and model the idea that the pursuit excellence is accomplished by doing one's best, not winning.

• DO: Do your personal best at all times. When things don't go your way, persevere. Be diligent about what you do. Establish a good work ethic and model it to others. Do whatever you do in a way that you and others can be proud of it. Show others how to win and lose with grace and dignity.

• DON'T: Allow players to demonstrate poor sportsmanship. Accept anything less than one's best effort. Belittle players after a loss.

Self-Control:  Teach players that character is measured by how they played the game, not whether they won or lost.

• DO: Set realistic goals. Stay positive. Take charge of your own life as much as possible. Practice self-discipline. Know the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do. Think before you act.

• DON'T: Act out of anger, revenge, or fear. Allow others to control your actions or your attitude. Lose your temper.

Remember, in athletics, as in life, CHARACTER COUNTS!

Excerpts taken from CHARACTER COUNTS!, a project of the Josephson Institute of Ethics.