ethics in sport
4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.
Lesson Overview
Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA
Learning Objectives
- Explain the key ideas of ethics in sport
- Apply ethics in sport to exam-style questions
- Develop independent study skills
- Build cross-topic connections
Prerequisites
- Read the revision notes for ethics in sport first (GCSE Revise summary)
- Key vocab to pre-teach: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules
- Basic skills: reading the summary notes and answering the practice questions there
Materials & Equipment
- Exercise book, coloured pens
- Ruler
- Printed revision notes (link below)
- Internet for videos (see Resources)
Lesson 1: Introduction: ethics in sport
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Write down everything you already know about ethics in sport. Then check against the key terms: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: ethics in sport. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Physical Education because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: ethics in sport. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Physical Education because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look
Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Define etiquette in sport and give two examples of etiquette in a named sport.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Check Out
Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about ethics in sport.
Lesson 2: Core Concepts: ethics in sport
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Review Previous Lesson
Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on ethics in sport. Check them against the notes below.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Ethics in sport: The moral principles and values that govern behaviour in sport. Ethics determine what is considered right and wrong, fair and unfair, and guide the conduct of performers, coaches, officials and spectators.
Etiquette: The unwritten rules, conventions and customs that govern behaviour in sport. Etiquette is about showing respect, courtesy and consideration for others. It is not enforced by officials but is expected by the sporting community.
Etiquette vs Rules: Etiquette is NOT the same as the written rules of the sport. Rules are formally codified and enforced by officials with penalties for breaches. Etiquette is unwritten, self-policed and based on respect and tradition. Breaking etiquette has no formal punishment but damages a performer's reputation.
Sportsmanship: Behaviour that shows fairness, respect and generosity towards opponents. A sportsmanlike player plays within the spirit of the sport, not just the letter of the rules. Sportsmanship goes beyond what is required and reflects positive moral character.
Gamesmanship: The practice of bending the rules to gain an advantage without actually breaking them. Unlike cheating, gamesmanship stays within the letter of the law but violates the spirit of the sport. It is often seen as "cunning" or "streetwise" behaviour.
Contract to Compete: The unwritten agreement between all participants in sport that everyone will compete within the agreed rules and give their best effort. By entering a competition, performers agree to abide by the rules, respect the officials' decisions, and compete fairly.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Play fairly within the spirit | Bend rules to gain advantage |
| Respect for rules | Follows both letter AND spirit | Follows letter, ignores spirit |
| Respect for opponents | High - values fair competition | Low - seeks to exploit opponents |
| Impact on sport | Positive - upholds integrity | Negative - undermines fair play |
| Official punishment | N/A - behaviour is positive | May not be punished (within rules) |
| Example | Shaking hands, honest play | Time-wasting, simulation |
| Etiquette | Unwritten conventions of respect and courtesy | Self-policed, no formal sanctions |
| Sportsmanship | Fair play and respect for opponents and rules | Self-policed, valued by sporting community |
Practice (10 minutes)
Q: Define etiquette in sport and give two examples of etiquette in a named sport.
Answer: Etiquette in sport refers to the unwritten rules, conventions and customs that govern behaviour and show respect for others. It is not enforced by officials but is expected by the sporting community. Two examples in cricket: (1) The fielding team claps a batter who reaches a milestone (50 or 100 runs). (2) A batter "walks" when they know they have edged the ball, even if the umpire has not given them out.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Explain Back
Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.
Lesson 3: Application: ethics in sport
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Quick Recall
Recall the key terms: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules. Define each in one sentence.
Main Content (35 minutes)
Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.
Q1: Define etiquette in sport and give two examples of etiquette in a named sport.
Answer: Etiquette in sport refers to the unwritten rules, conventions and customs that govern behaviour and show respect for others. It is not enforced by officials but is expected by the sporting community. Two examples in cricket: (1) The fielding team claps a batter who reaches a milestone (50 or 100 runs). (2) A batter "walks" when they know they have edged the ball, even if the umpire has not given them out.
Q2: Explain the difference between sportsmanship and gamesmanship, using sporting examples.
Answer: Sportsmanship is playing fairly and within the spirit of the sport, showing respect for opponents and the rules. Gamesmanship is bending the rules to gain an advantage without actually breaking them. Example of sportsmanship: A golfer calls a penalty on themselves when their ball moves, even though no one else saw it. Example of gamesmanship: A footballer takes excessive time over throw-ins and goal kicks when their team is winning, wasting time without technically breaking any rule. Sportsmanship upholds the spirit of the game; gamesmanship exploits loopholes.
Q3: What is the contract to compete and why is it important for fair competition?
Answer: The contract to compete is the unwritten agreement between all participants that they will compete within the agreed rules, give their best effort, and respect officials' decisions. It is important because without this agreement, competition has no meaning - if some participants are cheating, not trying, or ignoring rules, the contest is not fair or genuine. The contract ensures that all participants are competing under the same conditions and that the result reflects genuine effort and ability.
Q4: A football team is winning 1-0 in the last 5 minutes and starts time-wasting. Is this gamesmanship or cheating? Explain your answer.
Answer: This is gamesmanship rather than cheating because the team is bending the rules rather than breaking them. Time-wasting exploits the rules (no specific time limit on restarts) rather than violating them directly. However, it is against the spirit of the sport and undermines the contract to compete because the team is not genuinely competing in the closing stages - they are manipulating the game clock rather than playing football. Some would argue that when time-wasting becomes excessive, it crosses into unsporting behaviour which officials can punish (e.g. yellow cards for time-wasting).
Q5: Describe two examples where a performer showed sportsmanship that went beyond the requirements of the rules.
Answer: Example 1: Paolo Di Canio in football caught the ball instead of scoring into an empty net when the Everton goalkeeper was injured. He put the opponent's welfare above his own team's advantage, which went far beyond what the rules required. Example 2: In golf, players regularly call penalties on themselves that no one else witnessed, such as when a ball moves slightly during address. The rules don't require self-reporting in all cases, but sportsmanship demands honesty.
Q6: How does gamesmanship undermine the contract to compete? Explain with reference to a specific example.
Answer: Gamesmanship undermines the contract to compete because it violates the spirit of the agreement even if it follows the letter. For example, when a tennis player deliberately challenges a call they know is correct simply to take a break and disrupt the opponent's momentum, they are using the rules (entitled to challenge) against their intended purpose (ensuring correct decisions). This breaks the contract because the player is not genuinely competing - they are manipulating the system. The opponent expects a contest based on skill and effort, not tactical exploitation of procedures.
Plenary (5 minutes)
Error Review
Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.
Lesson 4: Exam Practice: ethics in sport
Duration: 50 minutes
Starter Activity (5 minutes)
Command Words
Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).
Main Content (35 minutes)
Exam-Style Question
Attempt a past-paper style question on ethics in sport from the exam board past paper finder (see Resources), then mark it against the scheme.
Exam Tips: Know the clear definitions of all four terms - examiners test these directly | Etiquette = unwritten conventions; Sportsmanship = fair play beyond rules; Gamesmanship = bending rules; Contract = agreement to compete fairly | Always give named sporting examples for each concept | Gamesmanship is NOT cheating - it stays within the letter of the rules | The contract to compete is about mutual agreement - if one party breaks it, the competition is unfair | Be prepared to evaluate whether a specific behaviour is gamesmanship or cheating
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often confuse gamesmanship with cheating. Wrong: "Gamesmanship is when a player breaks the rules to win." Correct: "Gamesmanship is bending the rules to gain an advantage WITHOUT breaking them. Cheating involves deliberately violating the rules. Time-wasting is gamesmanship because no specific rule is broken; deliberate handball is cheating because it violates the rules." Students often say etiquette is "the rules." Wrong: "Etiquette means following the rules of the sport." Correct: "Etiquette refers to the unwritten conventions and customs of behaviour, such as shaking hands after a match. It is separate from the formal, written rules of the sport."
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
- Synoptic links: explain how ethics in sport connects to another Physical Education topic you have studied
- Real-world: research one real-world use or example of ethics in sport
- Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in ethics in sport?"
Plenary (5 minutes)
Assessment Criteria
- Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
- Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
- Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2
Homework & Consolidation
- Consolidation: Re-answer any Lesson 3 practice questions answered incorrectly (20 mins)
- Retrieval: Write flashcards for the key terms: Ethics in sport, Etiquette, Etiquette vs Rules (10 mins)
- Exam practice: One past-paper question on ethics in sport from the board websites (15 mins)
- Extension: Explain ethics in sport to someone else in your own words (10 mins)