What is the importance of demonstrating honesty and integrity as a coach?

Say you are coaching a local youth soccer team. Your squad has fought long and hard to stay with your opponent. One of your players breaks down the sideline, dribbling toward the goal. A defender rushes her and the two players scramble and battle for the ball, which eventually bounces out of bounds. The official doesn’t see the action well enough from his angle, and he rules the ball belongs to your team. However, you see the ball clearly glance off the foot of your player before it rolls over the line.

What a simple dilemma with a not so simple answer. Here you have two choices. You can be honest and inform the official that he should give the ball to the other team, or you can take possession and perhaps let your team have a chance at winning the match. One thing you should know is that regardless of the outcome of the game, you have an opportunity to show your players something vital: that honesty is more important than winning.

Your players will notice. Regardless of the outcome of the game, they will remember that you showed them how to be honest on the field. You have an opportunity here to show them something that could stay with them for the rest of their lives.

It’s just a hypothetical situation, but you will face such challenges constantly. Regardless of the sport or the age of the players, you will always have moments when your honesty and integrity is put to the test.

Never set a bad precedent for your players. Do not lie to them under any circumstances, or to their parents. They must know that your integrity is intact so that they can trust you. Parents must also know that they can trust their children with you, even in moments when they may be psychologically vulnerable.

You must not cheat nor tolerate those who do. During a game, you must show absolute honest when it comes to obeying the rules of the game and teach your players what that means. For example, in basketball, teach your players how to recognize fouls and call them on themselves if they foul another player. If a child learns that cheating on the field leads to advantages and wins, he will easy make the transition to cheating in school or work. You cannot allow this to happen.

On the other hand, players will often try to push the limits with you. They may lie to you about certain circumstances or explore the option of cheating. Everything from making up a story as to why they missed practice, to flagrantly fouling another player will be tried. You must do what you can to teach them that this is unacceptable behavior. Whether you are forced to bench the player or punish the team with something such as making them run at practice, the player must know that dishonesty has severe consequences.

One way to promote honesty and integrity, is to spell out the rules for yourself and the players. This can be done with a simple oral promise or could even a written. This agreement would outline what behaviors will be acceptable and what are the consequences for violating the rules of the team. You must be willing to enforce the penalty for breaking that contract, however. The players need to be aware that your team will uphold the utmost standards of integrity. You must show them that playing sports is a privilege and that you will keep the same rules and will be held to the same standards as they will be.

You have a great chance to teach these youths how to achieve success through hard work and discipline. If they do not know that cheating or dishonesty is intolerable, they will miss the chance to learn how they can turn a good work ethic into a great victory.