Sportsmanship, Gamesmanship and Deviance

This lesson covers three related concepts that are central to the Edexcel GCSE PE specification: sportsmanship, gamesmanship and deviance. You need to define each, explain the differences between them, give sporting examples, and evaluate their impact on sport and its stakeholders.

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Key Definitions

Term	Definition
Sportsmanship	Behaving in a fair, respectful and honest way during sport; playing by the rules and showing respect for opponents, officials and the spirit of the game
Gamesmanship	Attempting to gain an advantage by using tactics that are not strictly against the rules but go against the spirit of fair play
Deviance	Behaviour that goes against the accepted norms and rules of sport; breaking the rules or engaging in illegal/immoral conduct

graph LR
    A["Sporting Behaviour Spectrum"]
    A --> S["Sportsmanship<br/>(Fair, ethical)"]
    A --> G["Gamesmanship<br/>(Bending the rules)"]
    A --> D["Deviance<br/>(Breaking the rules)"]
    style S fill:#27ae60,color:#fff
    style G fill:#f39c12,color:#fff
    style D fill:#e53935,color:#fff

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Sportsmanship

Sportsmanship is the ethical foundation of sport. It means competing fairly and showing respect for everyone involved.

Examples of Sportsmanship

Example	Sport	Why It Matters
Shaking hands before and after a match	Football, rugby, tennis	Shows mutual respect
Kicking the ball out of play when an opponent is injured	Football	Prioritises welfare over advantage
Applauding an opponent's good performance	Cricket, tennis	Recognises excellence regardless of rivalry
Admitting a foul or infringement	Any sport	Honesty and integrity
Helping an injured opponent	Any sport	Humanity and respect
Respecting the referee's decision even when you disagree	Any sport	Upholding the authority of officials

Why Sportsmanship Matters

• Sets a positive example for young participants and spectators
• Maintains the integrity of the sport
• Improves the experience for all involved (athletes, officials, spectators)
• Builds respect between competitors and promotes healthy rivalries
• Attracts sponsors — companies want to be associated with fair play, not controversy

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Gamesmanship

Gamesmanship sits in a grey area — it is not technically cheating, but it deliberately tries to gain an unfair psychological or tactical advantage.

Examples of Gamesmanship

Example	Sport	How It Works
Time-wasting	Football	Taking a long time over goal kicks, throw-ins or substitutions to protect a lead
Sledging	Cricket	Verbal comments designed to distract or unsettle the batsman
Grunting loudly	Tennis	Distracting the opponent during shots
Faking an injury	Football	Stopping play to break the opposition's momentum
Deliberate fouls	Basketball, football	Fouling to stop a dangerous attack (e.g. the "tactical foul")
Bouncing the ball before serving	Tennis	Using delays to unsettle the returner
Slow play	Golf	Taking an excessively long time to putt, disrupting the opponent's rhythm

Why Gamesmanship Is Controversial

Argument For	Argument Against
"It's just part of the game" — clever tactics	Goes against the spirit of fair play
Not technically against the rules	Ruins the spectacle for fans
Shows tactical intelligence	Sets a bad example for young people
All competitors know it happens and can prepare	Can escalate into genuine deviance

Exam Tip: Edexcel frequently asks students to distinguish between gamesmanship and deviance. The key distinction: gamesmanship bends the rules but does not break them; deviance breaks the rules or laws of the sport.

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Deviance

Deviance means behaviour that goes against the accepted norms, rules or laws of sport. It includes cheating, violence and the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Types of Deviance