[BD] Spirit scoring system for beginners

[Matthew.J.Smith at chi.ac.uk]

Hi All

I am helping to run a mini tournament for local schools (age 14-16). They have only limited experience of the game, and I wanted to use the opportunity to promote 'Spirit-of-the-game'. I thought a spirit award was definitely in order, but how best to do this?

Has anyone got any ideas? Of what has been done before? Of what works well for real beginners to the sport (school pupils who are used to playing refereed sports).

I had a bit of a think myself and came up with a simplified scoring system, adapted from others that have been used;

Award a spirit mark out of 10 for your opposition (10 = excellent spirit, 1 = very poor spirit).
 
 
Award 5 points for an average spirited game – with nothing noticeable occuring during the game with regards to spirited play.
 
 
Award extra points for good spirit. For example;
 
-       Players showing respect for the ‘spirit-of-the-game’.
 
-       Players playing competitively but fairly and within the rules.
 
-       Where decisions are made, they are resolved in calm and fair manner.
 
-       Shaking hands at the end of the game.
 
 
Take off points for poor spirit. For example;
 
-       Players playing in an over aggressive, or dangerous manner.
 
-       Players arguing over decisions and not trying to resolve them fairly.
 
-       Players seeking to manipulate the rules to their advantage.
 
-       Bad language used in the game.
 
-       Not shaking hands at the end.
I'd be interested in any comments - would this work? Anything i've missed out?
Any help or advice appreciated.
Cheers
Matt


Matthew Smith 
PhD Research Student 
University of Chichester 
Bishop Otter Campus 
College Lane 
Chichester 
West Sussex 
PO19 6PE 

Tel: 01243 816341

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