Module 2: Athletes' behaviour

The Athlete's Lifestyle

1. Appropriate behaviour introduction
   1. Conduct during competition and training
   2. Equal opportunities
   3. Appropriate role models
   4. Enhancing the status of the sport
   5. Case Studies
2. Management and coping strategies
   1. Mentoring and coaching
   2. Group and one-to-one discussions
   3. Change of lifestyle and routines
   4. Anger Management
   5. Counselling
   6. Coping strategies
   7. Sports Psychologists
   8. Case studies

Conduct during competition and training

The key aspect of appropriate behaviour for an elite athlete during both training and competition is adherence to rules. The rules of sports are in place to ensure fairness and safety for all participants and should be stuck to at all times. As well as having specific rules of the sport in place, many clubs, events and competitions will also have written codes of conduct, explaining how participants, coaches and sometimes even spectators are expected to behave and it is just as important that these codes of conduct are adhered to as well as the rules of the sport.

It is important to remember that when training and competing in top level sport, athletes' are setting an example to others and are promoting the image of their sport, so it is vital that appropriate behaviour, fair play and good sportsmanship are displayed at all times.

As well as the actual rules and codes of conduct involved in sports, there are also some unwritten rules that should be followed to promote appropriate behaviour, such as respect for peers, officials and others, fair play and good sportsmanship at all times. Examples of these are:

• Shaking hands with opponents and officials at the end of a game
• Putting the ball out of play for an injured player to receive treatment
• Congratulating an opponent on an excellent shot, goal, or skill.

As part of their conduct during training and competition it is also important that athletes' wear appropriate clothing at all times. Clothes should be safe, comfortable and should most importantly portray a professional image for the athlete. Some events will have rules on clothing, such as plain white outfits at the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London and such rules should also be adhered to strictly.

It is also important to remember that sports performers are professionals who are earning a living from their sport. Their wages support their lifestyle and also support their families. In some instances, such as where performers are employed by clubs/teams through contracts and receive a wage, employment laws impact on them. The sporting arena is their workplace and so health and safety laws can have an effect. For example, Ben Collett was a Manchester United apprentice who would have been offered a professional contract. Another player in a game recklessly injured him ending his career. Collett sued for damages and was awarded £4.3 million.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/2539393/Former-Man-Utd-trainee-Ben-Collett-awarded-4.3m-payout-after-career-ending-injury.html