Integrity Fair Play and Respect

This sequence explores the structural necessity of rules, integrity, and respect for officials in organized sports. Students learn through experiential games, role-playing, and self-officiating to understand why fair play is essential for safety and enjoyment.

The Necessity of Rules and Structure

Students attempt to play a game without rules to understand the chaos that ensues without structure. They then work together to rebuild a fair set of rules to protect safety and playability.

The Role and Perspective of Officials

Students step into the shoes of a referee to experience the difficulty of making split-second decisions. This builds empathy and teaches the importance of accepting official calls respectfully.

Integrity and The Honor System

Focusing on internal motivation, students play games where they must call their own fouls. This lesson emphasizes honesty and the value of integrity when no one is watching.

Respectful Communication with Officials

Students learn and practice specific communication protocols for interacting with officials. They distinguish between respectful inquiry and aggressive arguing through role-play.