Dr. Robert Heller

A recent article in a popular tennis magazine talks about the misuse and abuse of the injury and time out rules to “stall” as a tactic to recuperate physically and to distract an opponent who may be playing well and on a roll. This, like other “gamesmanship” strategies comes from the dire need to win and fear of losing. The old adage, “All is fair in love and war” seems to take priority over the higher goal of “playing with honor”. Until parents and coaches help children incorporate the the moral values of sport, we will continue to see bad sportsmanship and very likely produce “bad” citizens.