http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RldUg5kISB0 (check out the story here)
Author's Perspective #1: This is a litigious society and organizations like the KHSAA have lawyers that advise them on legal concerns. There is no doubt that a lawyer told them, "If someone gets seriously injured as a result of these handshakes, the organization could be held responsible." So, some knucklehead at the top gets scared and makes an impulsive decision that protects the organization instead of looking at the larger picture.
Author's Perspective #2: What is the larger picture, you ask? The main reason for high school athletics is to promote competition & sportsmanship. Players and teams work hard to win their competitive matches, but whether a team wins or loses, it is important to show respect to the other team. It is through the post-game handshake that athletes learn words like grace, dignity and humility. The irony is the KHSAA is banning the very thing that is put into place to promote sportsmanship.
Author's Perspective #3: How many handshakes do you think took place in Kentucky after high school sporting events in the past two years? 100,000? 200,000? 1,000,000? I don't know, but it seems ridiculous to ban the entire practice due to 2 dozen fights. That is about one half of one half of one percent. We need to stop creating rules for a few bad apples and penalizing those who can handle themselves appropriately.
Your Turn (1) respond via this blog, (2) comment on Facebook page (character development & leadership) or (3) tweet to @CDandLeadership using #CDandL):
1) Social Media Question: What do you think of the KHSAA rule of banning post-game handshakes?
2) If you were in Kentucky and you were told not to take part in the post-game handshake, what would you do? Why?
3) If you were the coach of a player who fought during a post-game handshake, how would you handle it?
As a long time football player myself, I see the hand shakes as a way to get over the guess you would have had in the game. Like if I can't get past a guard and center in football, its my personal goal to break through them and tear through their wall. After the game I tell them good game and let it go. Its just a game no need to fight about it. -Matt Ryan
ReplyDeleteNot guess I meant feud.
ReplyDeleteI agree Matt. I also think it is a way acknowledge the effort you both gave throughout the game. During the game there are so many life lessons that are learned. Shaking hands is one of those lessons.
ReplyDeleteShaking hands at the end of a game is a part of good sportsmanship and shows the character of a person. For this reason I think that the handshakes at the end of the game should not be banned, but dealt with in other ways. In my opinion, the coaches are the ones responsible here and should come up with a solution to the fighting by disciplining the players in some way or another.
ReplyDeleteI agree Benjamin. We should not penalize the masses for the actions of the few. I wonder what your coaches think?
ReplyDelete