All sports involve discipline and creativity. Just as in visual arts, one “creates” a painting by adhering to basic principles of design (line, form, color, light), in sports one creatively plays a game by adhering to certain principles (game rules, physical and mental conditioning, stamina).
Those who are the most well disciplined in the basic skills and principles and who creatively exploit these principles to the fullest usually excel in the associated sport.
Creativity is not license to do what one pleases or to have one’s own way. Rather it is a powerful force in our endeavors as we both acknowledge and utilize the “rules” of the game.
Authority is one basic principle essential in all sports. Authority is the right or privilege to use our own power or that of another to accomplish a certain purpose. Participants in a contest derive their authority to participate by observing the rules, submitting to the authority of referees, coaches, game plan, and team leaders. All of this requires self-discipline in order to recognize the disciplines and authority of others in the game situation.
In order for participants (a team) to achieve their fullest potential, others in the game situation need to acknowledge and respect authority as well.
Referees must also be disciplined to the rules.
Coaches must be disciplined in their responsibilities and to those to whom they are responsible, such as the athletic director.
The athletic director is responsible to the school administrator. The administrator is accountable to the school board and so on. In cases where an athletic committee advises an administrator or athletic director, the committee members also need to acknowledge the authority of those to whom they are accountable.
When any of the above parties in a sports program attempt to use their “abilities” beyond the rights and privileges granted to them, the whole program loses.
It is also important to realize that attitudes of acknowledging or of disrespecting authority tend to move through a sports program and create their effects at other levels of responsibility within the program.
It is important that we evaluate our commitment and application of this basic principle at each level of responsibility. As all aspects of the program play this part of the game well, we will be imparting a valuable life principle to our student athletes.
