South Carolina Gamecocks – How To Show Sportsmanship Despite Having Rivalries

In sports, there will always be different levels of competition. There are times that teams name their worthy opponents while others just do not want to give others a chance to win over them. This is what we call rivalries. In College teams, it is very prominent. This is a good thing because even though teams are not playing on a championship match, it gives the same feeling that kind of game gives to its audience. The game becomes heated making this as one of the factors why a football match becomes exciting and memorable.

However, there are times when rivalries create chaos. Sometimes, the big guys on the field get on each others nerves and can start a fight. It is inevitable to loose your cool at times, especially when the trash talking in the field gets personal. The force gets very mighty in trying to tackling the opponent. This is a physical sport so it is expected that venting out the anger be easily channeled on natural flow of the game. One of the worst-case scenarios happened during the 2004 NCAA Match. One of the greatest rivals in football started a brawl at the Memorial Stadium. South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers players had to be stopped by law enforcements.

Definitely, every team should know how to manage their anger, especially when they get pissed. We cannot avoid the conflicting personalities from different teams. The best thing that these players can do is to maintain sportsmanship. Every athlete is disciplined enough to know how they should act in games. It is no doubt that football is a tough game, and it should be placed in mind that toughness in this game is not all that is needed to win. Proper Decorum should be observed. It does not mean that the nature of the game is violent, then every player should take advantage of it to get ahead of the other team.

Not every player should be eaten up with the history. Every team should ensure that the rivalry is friendly wherein after the game, players get to shake their hands and wish everyone well. In the middle of the match, every player should take the tackle as it is just part of the game. There should also be no extra bumps after the fall. Moreover, when the player is down, the best is to help him up. This can give an impression that you know you hit him to hard and that you did not mean it. It may sound like a practice for the babies, but definitely when the game is heated, it can cool the flames a bit knowing that you one player is not after injuring the other. Rather this is all about business and playing the game the way it should be.

At the end of the game, always try to reach out with the other players. The memory of the game will live but you as a player should put all behind the rough experience after the game. On the next fight, you can start by welcoming your opponents. Not like the way the Clemson Tigers greeted the South Carolina Gamecocks.