Identification and evaluation of fair play behaviors in juvenile football Cadiz

Abstract

Objective: To analyse sportsmanlike and unsportsmanlike conduct of football players in juvenile category (aged from 10-12), as well as sanctioning of players and their trainers. Methodology: Observation of thirty teams during fifteen football games (1050 minutes) has been conducted. Tools used in process of research were observation and study of documents. Results: Results reveal some interesting considerations to have in mind in Grassroots Football: (1) the trainers are the group that is sanctioned most frequently, (2) majority of sportsmanlike behaviour, such as initial greeting occurs before starting the game, while during the game it is not as recurrent, (3) only half of the teams says goodbye to their opponents after the match, (4) players usually do not react sportsmanlike when they commit a foul and (5) major unsportsmanlike conduct is linked to the referees, either due to protesting to their ruling or by trying to deceive them. Implications: Sports at young age should be educational, trainers should be good role models to their players and football player should exhibit sportsmanship. Mentioned can be displayed by raising their hand to acknowledge their foul or offering their hand in order to apologize, help the injured player, accept victory praise or be courteous to the defeated player.

Keywords

• conductas
• fair play
• fútbol
• categoría alevín