The beginning of spring also signifies the start of spring sports and all the excitement that they have to offer. But what are sports without proper sportsmanship? The values of honor, dignity, and respect go far beyond school, the workplace, or other places in the community. Having proper etiquette is something that you can even carry onto a court, field, course, and more. Pairing strong athletic skills with dignified manners is a recipe for success. Furthermore, having excellent etiquette as a spectator is also extremely relevant.

 

TENNIS

The first way to set your tennis match up for success is ensuring that you arrive on time to compete. It is important to show up at least fifteen minutes before a match and a minimum of thirty minutes before a tournament. Moreover, the warm-up session should not serve as a practice session. Plan and allow for practice time in advance. When a ball rolls onto another court, be mindful of the other matches that are taking place and wait patiently to retrieve your ball. An exception to this rule occurs when there is potential for a participant to be injured. As a spectator, it is unacceptable to speak to a player on the court, unless they are speaking directly to you. Additionally, if a ball is hit for a point or a shot that the opposing player could not return, it is considered acceptable. However, if the ball is hit out or into the next court, it is rude to clap in these cases.

 

GOLF

The best way to show proper etiquette while playing a round of golf is to uphold safety as the primary concern. Never play until all of the players in front of you are far out of range. To allow the players behind you to maintain the same standard, always play without delay. It is also standard to take only one practice swing, if any. Also, practice timeliness by writing down the scores for the hole, not on the corresponding green, but rather as you proceed to the next hole.  If you lose a ball, allow other players to play through while searching for it. Finally, you can easily display manners by being a good steward of the course. Be sure to avoid course damage on practice swings, repair ball marks, restore divots, and mend any damages by spikes.

 

SWIMMING

Furthermore, the same standard is applied for swimming: Safety first! One way to keep yourself and others safe is by reviewing any important rules posted at a lake or pool. Next, never run around the perimeter of a pool, this could be hazardous to yourself as well as others. It is also important to keep an eye on children at all times to ensure that they are free from harm. Never push or splash others- even just for play. Lastly, do not leave trash unattended near the swimming area. Be sure to always dispose of trash properly.

 

Sports etiquette is an important part of the Junior Cotillion program. We take pride in training students to treat others and themselves with the utmost respect in all situations. Visit www.nljc.com to find a chapter near you and register your