Honoring the Game
One of the most important components of the Positive Coaching Alliance's guide to accomplishing their mission to "transform youth sports so sports can transform youth" is teaching players to "Honor the Game. "Parents, managers, coaches and players should establish and enforce Respect for the following elements of  ROOTS:

Rules: Respect for the Rules means honoring the "intent of the rules” not just the letter of the rules.

O
pponents: Respect for a worthy opponent. You Honor the Game when you recognize that a worthy opponent is a gift that forces you to play to your highest ability.

O
fficials: Respect for the officials – even when you disagree. Professional sports are there for your Entertainment, Youth sports are there for the Education of the players.

T
eammates: Respect your teammates and never do anything that would embarrass your team. You are a representative of your team both on and off the field. "A team only exists when every member understands how his actions affect every other member.”

S
elf: Self-respect is the bottom line for a high-functioning mature individual. "A person with a strong internal moral compass works hard to avoid doing anything to dishonor the game because it shows disrespect for himself.”
 
Click here to download Positive Coaching Script to help you introduce Honoring the Game principles to your team.