Sport values
Sport teaches values that help us in all of life.
- Fair play: follow the rules and never cheat.
- Respect: for the referee, the other team and your own teammates.
- Honesty: tell the truth, even if it costs a point.
- Effort and perseverance: keep trying after a mistake.
- Courage: try a hard move, face a strong opponent.
- Safety and equality: protect each other and let everyone play.
Winning is nice, but how you play matters more.
Team spirit
Team spirit is the feeling that "we are in this together". A team with spirit:
- talks clearly ("I'm free! Pass here!");
- trusts each other and shares the load (like the 40 kg log);
- gives each player a role, such as attacker, defender, goalkeeper;
- encourages a teammate who makes a mistake;
- accepts win or lose together.
In the 3D lift, each player's share is 40 ÷ number of players. Four players carry only 10 kg each.
English to talk about sport and teams
- should / shouldn't for advice: Players should respect the referee. You shouldn't argue.
- must / mustn't for rules: You must wear a helmet.
- if + present, will + verb for real chances: If we practise together, we will improve.
- Comparing: A team is stronger than one player. Our team is the most helpful in the school.
Try it: build your own team motto
With friends, pick a task (for example, lifting a table). First try with one person, then with more, and notice how it gets easier. Then write a team motto with "if … will …", like "If we help each other, we will finish first."
Key formulas and definitions
- Each player's share = total load ÷ number of players
- should + verb = advice; must + verb = rule
- If + present simple, will + base verb
- Sport values: fair play, respect, honesty, effort, courage, safety
Worked examples
1. A table weighs 60 kg. Four friends lift it together. How much does each carry?
60 ÷ 4 = 15 kg each.
2. Complete: "If we ___ together, we will win."
work: "If we work together, we will win." (if + present simple.)
3. Give advice to a player who argues with the referee.
You shouldn't argue with the referee. You should respect the decision.
4. Name two sport values shown when teams shake hands after a match.
Respect and fair play (also good sportsmanship in losing).
Common mistakes
- Thinking only winning matters: the way you play matters too.
- Saying "If we will practise": after if use the present, "If we practise".
- Using "should" with "to": say "should respect", not "should to respect".
- Believing a star player alone makes a team: team spirit needs everyone.