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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can describe and give examples of sportsmanship and gamesmanship, and explain how athletes should follow the contract to compete.

      Key learning points

      1. Etiquette is the accepted and expected behaviour in sport, reflecting respect for opponents, officials, and the rules.
      2. Sportsmanship is upholding fairness, respect, and graciousness in victory or defeat, demonstrating ethical conduct.
      3. Gamesmanship involves using clever yet unethical tactics to gain a competitive edge without breaking the rules.
      4. Contract to compete should be upheld by all performers.

      Keywords

      • Etiquette - a convention or unwritten rule in an activity. It is not an enforceable rule but it is usually observed

      • Sportsmanship - playing by the written and unwritten rules of the game

      • Gamesmanship - attempting to gain an advantage by bending the rules to their limit (but not breaking them)

      • Contract to compete - unwritten agreement to follow and abide by the written and unwritten rules

      Common misconception

      Pupils may incorrectly assume that sportsmanship and gamemanship are the same thing.

      Sportsmanship is positively conforming to the rules and etiquette of the sport, whereas gamesmanship is more negative because a performer may bend the rules to gain advantage.

      Teacher tip

      This lesson touches upon deviance but you may wish to bring in current examples from the media.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The golden triangle consists of which of these components?

      commercialisation, sport, sponsorship
      commercialisation, media, sponsorship
      Correct answer: media, sport, sponsorship
      commercialisation, sport, media

      Q2.
      Commercialisation is when you exploit an organisation to make a...

      Correct Answer: profit, money

      Q3.
      Which of the following are types of technology that help officials make more accurate decisions?

      Correct answer: video assistance referee
      Apple watch
      Correct answer: HawkEye
      scoreboards

      Q4.
      Identify the positive values that sport develops.

      Correct answer: respect
      to win at all costs
      Correct answer: teamwork
      cheating

      Q5.
      Match the keyword to positive or negative impact on sport.

      Correct Answer:positive,sportsmanship - conforming to the rules spirit and etiquette of sport

      sportsmanship - conforming to the rules spirit and etiquette of sport

      Correct Answer:negative,gamesmanship - to gain advantage by bending the rules in sport

      gamesmanship - to gain advantage by bending the rules in sport

      Q6.
      What is likely to happen as a result of a performer getting caught taking performance enhancing drugs?

      They earn more money.
      Correct answer: They lose their sponsorship deals.
      Correct answer: They get less media coverage.
      They increase their sponsorship deals.

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the correct definition to the keyword.

      Correct Answer:etiquette,a convention or unwritten rule in an activity

      a convention or unwritten rule in an activity

      Correct Answer:sportsmanship,conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport

      conforming to the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport

      Correct Answer:gamesmanship,attempting to gain an advantage by bending the rules to their limit

      attempting to gain an advantage by bending the rules to their limit

      Correct Answer:contract to compete,unwritten agreement to follow

      unwritten agreement to follow

      Q2.
      The unwritten agreement to follow of the game means following the contract to...

      Correct Answer: compete

      Q3.
      Which is an example of sportsmanship?

      bribery
      sledging in cricket
      Correct answer: apologising when the ball hits the net but goes over in tennis
      faking an injury in football

      Q4.
      Match the example to the type of behaviour seen in sport.

      Correct Answer:sportsmanship,in basketball: congratulating an opponent on a successful jump shot

      in basketball: congratulating an opponent on a successful jump shot

      Correct Answer:gamesmanship,throwing the ball away to waste time when your team is winning

      throwing the ball away to waste time when your team is winning

      Correct Answer:deviance,pushing over another player intentionally when they dribble past you

      pushing over another player intentionally when they dribble past you

      Q5.
      Grunting in tennis is an example of?

      sportsmanship
      Correct answer: gamesmanship
      deviance
      violence

      Q6.
      Identify which is not an example of sportsmanship?

      accepting all officials decisions without argueing
      letting faster player go through if you are holding them up in golf
      Correct answer: coughing when someone is about to hit a shot in golf
      shaking hands after a game

      To help you plan your 11 physical education lesson on: Conduct of performers, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...