Coaching for Character: Reclaiming the Principles of Sportsmanship

Rating:
Summary: A philosophy of sportsmanship
Review: This book is written by two philosophy professors who also have some experience in sport (one in archery, the other in baseball). Their philosophy bias is clear throughout the book, as they take time to define the term "sportsmanship," and explain why it has value in terms of respecting teammates, officials, coaches, and the game itself. The book does raise some relevant and specific questions, (for example: "Is it ever acceptable to give less than a best effort to conserve energy?" and "Explain the difference between respecting an opponent and liking an opponent.") mostly in the "time for reflection" portions that are interspersed throughout the book, but it falls short in that its arguments are very much idea-based and conceptual rather than suggestions for practical application. The appendix does provide some practical advice, but it is included almost as an afterthought rather than a priority. The book does well to provoke thought and provide the "why," but the "how" is left almost completely to the reader. It is for this reason that I think the book would have been better had it been titled "A Philosophy of Sportsmanship" or something to that effect.

Rating:
Summary: A philosophy of sportsmanship
Review: This book is written by two philosophy professors who also have some experience in sport (one in archery, the other in baseball). Their philosophy bias is clear throughout the book, as they take time to define the term "sportsmanship," and explain why it has value in terms of respecting teammates, officials, coaches, and the game itself. The book does raise some relevant and specific questions, (for example: "Is it ever acceptable to give less than a best effort to conserve energy?" and "Explain the difference between respecting an opponent and liking an opponent.") mostly in the "time for reflection" portions that are interspersed throughout the book, but it falls short in that its arguments are very much idea-based and conceptual rather than suggestions for practical application. The appendix does provide some practical advice, but it is included almost as an afterthought rather than a priority. The book does well to provoke thought and provide the "why," but the "how" is left almost completely to the reader. It is for this reason that I think the book would have been better had it been titled "A Philosophy of Sportsmanship" or something to that effect.