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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.
| 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.
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.
Sportsmanship goes beyond simply following the rules. It is about the spirit in which the game is played. A sportsperson who shows 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 |
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.
| 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 |
This is a key ethical debate in sport:
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