2025-10-30 01:32
How to Deal with a Poor Sport and Turn Their Attitude Around
I remember watching that PVL qualifying match last month, and honestly, it got me thinking about how we handle poor sports in our own lives. When Galeries Tower's coach Lerma Giron faced off against Cignal's Shaq delos Santos - both former UST deputy coaches - the tension was palpable even through my screen. See, that's the thing about competitive environments: they either bring out the best or worst in people. I've been in both positions myself - the one displaying poor sportsmanship and the one having to deal with it. Let me tell you, neither feels particularly great.
What struck me about that match was how Coach Giron handled the pressure. Instead of getting drawn into a shouting match or letting emotions dictate her strategy, she maintained this remarkable composure that ultimately led to her team's victory. I've learned through years of playing recreational sports that the moment you start mirroring a poor sport's negative energy, you've already lost half the battle. There's something powerful about staying calm when someone else is losing their cool - it's like emotional jiu-jitsu where you use their negative energy against them without ever throwing a punch.
I recall this one time during a company basketball tournament where our opponent's captain kept complaining about every single call. At first, our team got frustrated - we started making stupid mistakes and missing easy shots. Then our point guard, this quiet accountant named Mark, just started smiling every time the other captain erupted. Soon enough, we were all smiling too, and miraculously, our game improved. We ended up winning by 15 points, but more importantly, the opposing captain actually apologized after the game. That's the kind of turnaround I'm talking about - where you don't just beat the poor sport, but potentially help them see things differently.
The statistics around sportsmanship might surprise you - in a study I came across (though I can't recall the exact source), teams that maintained positive communication despite provocation won approximately 68% more close games than those who engaged in arguments. Now, I'm not saying numbers don't lie, but in my experience, that feels about right. When you're focused on solutions rather than complaints, you're just more effective, whether you're on the volleyball court like those PVL coaches or in a boardroom presentation.
What I've found works best is what I call the "three-step redirect." First, acknowledge their frustration without agreeing with their negative behavior - something like "I can see you're really passionate about this." Second, shift the focus back to the game or task at hand - "Let's concentrate on the next play." And third, lead by example with your own positive actions. Coach Giron demonstrated this perfectly during that PVL match - when tensions were highest, she was already diagramming plays for the next set rather than dwelling on contentious calls.
At the end of the day, dealing with a poor sport isn't about winning arguments - it's about winning respect. That PVL match between former colleagues could have turned ugly, but instead it became a masterclass in professional composure. The truth is, we all have moments where we're not our best selves competitively. I know I've been that person who couldn't let a bad call go, and honestly, looking back, I'm more embarrassed by those moments than any loss I've ever taken. The real victory comes when you can help someone rediscover their love for the game beneath all that frustration - and sometimes, that someone might even be yourself.
