Sportsmanship, Gamesmanship and Ethics

Sport is built on values — fairness, respect and integrity. But not everyone plays by the same moral code. This lesson covers four key terms you must know for AQA GCSE PE: etiquette, sportsmanship, gamesmanship and the contract to compete. You also need to understand the ethical issues that arise when these values are challenged.

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Key Definitions

Term	Definition
Etiquette	The unwritten rules or conventions of a sport that are followed out of respect and tradition
Sportsmanship	Playing fairly, following the rules, respecting opponents and officials, and behaving with integrity
Gamesmanship	Bending the rules or using cunning tactics to gain an advantage without technically breaking the rules
Contract to compete	An unwritten agreement between competitors to play fairly, give 100% effort and abide by the rules

These four concepts sit on a spectrum from highly ethical behaviour (sportsmanship) to ethically questionable behaviour (gamesmanship). Understanding the differences between them is essential for the exam.

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Etiquette

Etiquette refers to the customs and unwritten codes of behaviour in a sport. These are not formal rules — breaking them does not result in a penalty or foul — but they are widely expected and respected.

Sport	Example of Etiquette
Football	Kicking the ball out of play when an opponent is injured, then returning possession
Tennis	Not celebrating when an opponent double-faults; shaking hands at the net after a match
Cricket	The batsman "walking" (leaving the crease voluntarily) when they know they are out
Golf	Not moving or making noise while another player is taking a shot
Rugby	Clapping the opposition off the field after a match
Badminton	Not serving until the opponent is ready

Exam Tip: Etiquette is about tradition and respect, not rules. If you are asked to define etiquette, make it clear that these are unwritten conventions, not enforceable laws. A player who breaks etiquette will not receive a foul, but they may lose the respect of opponents, officials and spectators.

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Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship goes beyond simply following the rules. It is about the spirit in which the game is played. A sportsperson who shows sportsmanship:

• Follows both the written rules and the unwritten etiquette
• Treats opponents, officials and team-mates with respect
• Accepts defeat graciously and victory modestly
• Plays fairly, even when they could gain an advantage by cheating
• Acknowledges opponents' good performances

Famous Examples of Sportsmanship

Example	Sport
Paolo Di Canio catching the ball instead of scoring when the goalkeeper was injured	Football
Lutz Long advising Jesse Owens on his long jump technique at the 1936 Berlin Olympics	Athletics
Andy Murray congratulating Novak Djokovic after losing a Grand Slam final	Tennis
The crowd clapping an injured opponent off the pitch	Rugby

Why Sportsmanship Matters

• Sets a positive example for young people and aspiring athletes
• Upholds the integrity of the sport
• Creates a positive atmosphere for spectators
• Builds respect between competitors
• Promotes the values of fair play and equality

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Gamesmanship

Gamesmanship is the opposite end of the spectrum from sportsmanship. It involves using cunning, psychological tactics or borderline behaviour to gain an advantage — without technically breaking the rules.

Common Examples of Gamesmanship

Tactic	Sport	How It Works
Time-wasting	Football	Taking a long time over goal kicks, throw-ins or substitutions to run down the clock
Sledging	Cricket	Making comments to distract or unsettle the batsman
Feigning injury	Football	Pretending to be hurt to win a free kick or get an opponent booked
Grunting loudly	Tennis	Making excessive noise to distract the opponent
Taking a long time between serves	Tennis/Badminton	Slowing the game to break the opponent's rhythm
Standing in the eye-line	Darts/Snooker	Positioning yourself to distract the opponent
Deliberate fouling	Basketball	Fouling intentionally to stop the clock in the final minutes
Ice the kicker	American football/Rugby	Calling a time-out just before an opponent's kick to increase pressure

Is Gamesmanship Acceptable?

This is a key ethical debate in sport:

Arguments For Gamesmanship	Arguments Against Gamesmanship
It is within the rules — no laws are broken	It goes against the spirit of fair play
It is a legitimate tactic and part of the game	It sets a bad example for young players
It shows intelligence and game awareness	It can ruin the spectacle for fans
All competitors have the option to use it	It can lead to confrontation and ill-feeling between competitors
It is accepted in some cultures	It undermines the contract to compete

Exam Tip: If asked to compare sportsmanship and gamesmanship, make the distinction very clear. Sportsmanship is about playing fairly and with respect; gamesmanship is about gaining an advantage through cunning without technically cheating. Use specific sporting examples for each to demonstrate your understanding.

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The Contract to Compete

The contract to compete is an unwritten (and sometimes written) agreement between competitors that they will:

1. Play fairly — follow the rules and spirit of the game
2. Give maximum effort — try their hardest throughout the competition
3. Abide by the rules — accept the decisions of officials
4. Respect opponents — treat the opposition with dignity

The contract to compete is broken when:

• A player deliberately cheats (e.g. diving in football, ball tampering in cricket)
• A player or team does not try their best (e.g. losing a match deliberately to get an easier draw in the next round — this is called match-fixing or tanking)
• A player uses performance-enhancing drugs
• A player verbally abuses or physically attacks an opponent or official

Aspect of Contract	Sportsmanship Example	Contract Broken Example
Play fairly	Admitting the ball hit your hand	Deliberately handball and deny it
Give maximum effort	Sprinting for every ball until the final whistle	Giving up when losing heavily
Abide by the rules	Accepting a referee's decision calmly	Confronting or abusing the referee
Respect opponents	Shaking hands before and after the match	Deliberately injuring an opponent

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Ethics in Sport

Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern a person's behaviour. In sport, ethical issues arise when participants must choose between doing what is right and doing what might help them win.