My son plays tennis and has been spotted as a talented player, we have always taught him to be a good sportsman and play fair, his level at tennis although 9 is getting more serious and competitive, he recently lost a semi final against someone both I and his opponants parents could see was blatantly cheating, unfortunatley parents at this age are not allowed to interject even if unfair. My son was devastated to loose to a cheat, how do I get him to overcome it and become a stronger player?
2006-07-11 05:31:11 · 11 answers · asked by DAVID W 1 in Sports ➔ Tennis
What you have taught your son about being a good sportsman and play fair is something that can't be taken away from your child. I have played on the tour for over 7 years and I can tell you that when I was first starting out in the juniors, I had a similar problem. The way I dealt with that situation was to learn about the procedure on how the rules of tennis works. I was told by my coach, to go and ask the opponent nicely whether he was sure & to have him point out the mark. He might not win the point, but it is letting his opponent know that he is being watched. If you don't respond, the opponent will keep doing what he is doing. So, my advice is to confront him nicely. And if he does it again then you should tell your son to call for a referee, even if there is none, usually the Tournament Director will get one of the players to referee the match. I hope that helps.
2006-07-11 16:09:41 · answer #1 · answered by a_intl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cheating is abhorent and someone who cheats has clearly not bettered their opponent in a fair or acceptable way. Ultimately, your son's opponents will only cheat if they suspect they are playing someone they cannot beat fair and square. It's probably of little consolation to your son, but he was the moral victor and as he grows older and competes in more serious competitions, cheating will be more difficult to get away with. As long as you teach him that cheating is wrong and that he should continue to battle as hard as he can to be the best, then the cheating issue will become less of an issue.
2006-07-11 05:47:29 · answer #2 · answered by Tayles_100 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to defer to "a intl" here, as he has been there....
Another option to possibly (?) explore is one that I had read a year or so ago in a tennis magazine:
When this writer was playing in a junior tournaments, he was playing against a notorious cheater who kept calling his borderline shots out...After a few such incidences, the (writer) waited for one of his opponent's shots that was clearly in, and called it out. His opponent appeared to be rattled that someone stood up to him and gave him a dose of his own medicine.
Having cited this, I'm still not sure that I would advise using this tactic, but....if your son could not get someone impartial to officiate, this may not be a terrible way to put a cheater in his place.
2006-07-12 03:04:07 · answer #3 · answered by Da Whispering Genius 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your son needs to stay true to what you've taught him and who he is....a strong, honest player who wins on his skills rather than cheating. the truth will reveal itself though, count on it, the kid that cheated obviously cannot play as well and eventually will be weeded out like so much chafe. i know that is difficult especially when now days cheating is so acceptable and even encouraged by some parents. here in ga at the peachtree road race, there were many who walked near the finish line and jumped in at the half mile mark, several with their children/teens racing across the finish line while those who ran the whole race jogged on in disgust. these people got their t-shirts and really good times but in the end thats about all they got. they didn't get (like your son) the feeling of accomplishment and pride in a job well done. good luck and kudos to you and your son for being quality, honest people...it really does matter.
2006-07-11 05:39:57 · answer #4 · answered by hell_in_a_handbasket 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps your son could have asked the tournament director for an umpire? I know umpires usually aren't provided and you do have to rely on yourself and your opponents to umpire matches but from my experience a tournament director should provide an umpire if requested by one of the players.
Hopefully your son will not expirence too many opponents like this as most do display good sportsmanship.
2006-07-11 05:46:52 · answer #5 · answered by flapstick 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How infuriating for all of you. I know what I'd like to do.
However - impress upon him that it's really quite sad for the other child that the only way he could win was to cheat.
His experience shows that he (your son) is not only the better player, but also the better person. And also, everybody watching would have seen what happened - so he has every reason to hold his head up high.
2006-07-11 05:46:32 · answer #6 · answered by Hello Dave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Remember when it comes to the crunch and the cheat as not got a
crutch to lean on like there parents . and it is only you and him .
You will all ways no that you was the better sportsman by far
2006-07-11 05:40:19 · answer #7 · answered by hongkongfuei 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i play many sports and always play to win and hate losing.
as well as losing i hate cheats and i really hate losing to cheats. however, i'd rather lose than win by cheating.
i was lucky to have this drilled into me from an early age by parents, coaches and my peers. unfortunately, in this day and age, you're going to have to instill the same virtues in your son.
2006-07-11 05:50:24 · answer #8 · answered by tracegeezer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Losing is losing, teach him to respond the same as he would do at to any loss. He will get over it in time, everyone has to experience loss to fully understand what it feels like to win.
By the way any schools sports coaching needed in south London contact me.
2006-07-11 05:39:42 · answer #9 · answered by He-man 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should prepare your son to win and lose and that is it.
2006-07-16 02:43:48 · answer #10 · answered by brogdenuk 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋