Back to Team Circle Index
| Activity: |
Respect for the Officials |
| Ages: |
All |
| Value(s): |
Respect |
| Facility and Equipment |
Four cones |
Description:
- Say, "Today we are going to discuss respect. To respect someone means that you think he or she is a good person and does important things. You look up to people you respect."
- Say, "There are people important to sports who often do not get respect. These are the officials. Why do we need officials? (To enforce the rules.) Why do we need rules? (To make the game fair.) What would happen if we did not have officials? (Rules would not be enforced.) Actually, it would not be much fun to play the game without the officials."
- Place four cones in row near the practice area. Ask the players why people do not like the officials. (They think they cheat or are unfair.) Ask the players to stand up. Say, "If you think the officials always cheat, stand by the first cone. If you think the officials often cheat, stand by the second cone. If you think the officials sometimes cheat, stand by the third cone. If you think the officials never cheat, stand by the fourth cone. Don't worry about where the others are standing, just go where you think is right.
- Depending on where you stand, ask the players why they think officials always, often, sometimes, or never cheat. If someone says "So the team will win," ask why the official would want the other team to win. Discuss why officials would want the other team to win and inform the players you will continue this discussion next practice.