A–B. Active Living and Movement Competence · Active Living and Movement: Move Well, Train Smart, Stay SafeFair Play, Teamwork and Leadership
A1.3 1.3 1.4About 65 minutes
Learning goals- I can show positive social behaviour and fair play so that activity is enjoyable for everyone.
- I can encourage others, recognize their contributions, and give and accept help.
- I can communicate clearly with teammates using words and signals, and listen to others.
- I can respect the calls of peers who officiate, and handle disagreements calmly.
- I can take on leadership roles in physical activity.
Words to know
fair play
Playing by the rules and in the spirit of the game: honestly, safely and with respect for everyone.
sportsmanship
Being gracious in winning and losing, respecting opponents, officials and teammates.
ethical behaviour
Doing what is right and honest even when no one is watching.
officiate
To act as a referee, umpire, judge or scorekeeper and make calls in a game.
assertive
Speaking up clearly and calmly for yourself while respecting others (not aggressive, not passive).
leadership
Helping a group reach its goal, for example by organizing, encouraging or setting a good example.
Remember from Grade 8
In Grade 8 you looked at how your actions can influence others to be active, practised healthy relationships, and used teamwork in tactics. Grade 9 asks you to show fair play and ethical behaviour as a habit, to communicate clearly in the middle of the action, and to step into leadership roles, including officiating your classmates.
Hook: the game with no referee
In ultimate, at most levels there is no referee. Players make their own calls, and the rules ask everyone to follow the Spirit of the Game: play hard, but respect opponents and the rules.
It sounds impossible. How can you trust the other team to call their own fouls? Yet ultimate is played this way all over the world. It works because players choose fair play. In this lesson you'll learn how to make any game run that way.
Fair play in action
The curriculum lists the behaviours that make activity rewarding for everyone:
- Working cooperatively in groups and teams.
- Encouraging and motivating others: "Nice pass!", "Keep going, last lap!"
- Recognizing contributions: thanking the player who made the assist, not just the scorer.
- Giving and accepting help: showing a classmate a grip, and saying "thanks" when someone shows you.
- Competing fairly and showing sportsmanship: shaking hands or tapping sticks after a game, no taunting, no cheating, accepting the result.
- Taking on leadership roles: leading a warm-up, captaining, keeping score, officiating, setting up equipment.
Canada's True Sport movement sums this up in principles such as go for it, play fair, respect others, keep it fun, stay healthy, include everyone and give back.
Living skill: communication (1.3)
In fast games, communication must be clear, short and early.
- Verbal calls: "Mine!", "Yours!", "Man on!" (someone is behind you), "Switch!", a teammate's name.
- Non-verbal signals: pointing to where you want the pass, a raised hand to show you're open, eye contact, a thumbs-up.
- Listening: look at the speaker, don't interrupt, check you understood: "So you want me to cover the left side?"
- Assertive, not aggressive: "I need you to call it earlier" instead of "You're useless!"
In a doubles net game like badminton or pickleball, partners agree before the game who takes shots down the middle. Then they call every shot so they don't both swing or both freeze.
Living skill: relationships and officiating (1.4)
In PPL1O you will often officiate games for your classmates. Officiating is a leadership role, and respecting a peer official is part of fair play.
When you are the official:
- Know the rules and where to stand to see the play.
- Make the call clearly and confidently, with a whistle or a loud voice and a hand signal.
- Be consistent: same call for both teams.
- If you missed it, say so honestly and use a do-over (replay the point).
When a peer is officiating your game:
- Accept the call, even if you disagree. Officials are learning too.
- If you must question a call, have one person (the captain) ask calmly at a break.
- Never yell at, mock or argue with an official.
Worked exampleLet's model a disputed call in ultimate
Jaya is reaching to catch the disc when Kai bumps her arm. She drops it and calls "Foul!" Kai thinks he touched the disc first. How should they settle it with the Spirit of the Game?
- Stop play: a foul call stops play. Both players pause instead of shouting.
- Each explains briefly and calmly: Jaya: "You hit my arm before the disc arrived." Kai: "I think I got the disc first."
- Listen and look for agreement: if Kai realizes he made contact first, he accepts the foul and Jaya keeps possession.
- If they still disagree: the rules of ultimate send the disc back to the thrower, and play restarts (a fair do-over).
- Move on: a quick "Fair enough" and back into position. No grudges.
Fair play doesn't mean never disagreeing. It means settling disagreements calmly, honestly and quickly, then playing on.
| Leadership role | What you do | Living skill used |
|---|
| Warm-up leader | Lead the group through a warm-up with clear instructions and demonstrations | Communication (1.3) |
| Captain | Encourage teammates, make sure everyone gets touches, speak for the team | Relationship skills (1.4) |
| Official / scorekeeper | Make calls and keep score fairly and consistently | Critical thinking (1.5), communication (1.3) |
| Equipment manager | Set up and put away equipment safely | Self-management (1.2) |
| Peer coach | Watch a partner and give one helpful tip | Communication (1.3), relationships (1.4) |
Hands-on activityLead it, play it, officiate it
You need: at least 2 other people (family or friends), a soft ball, 4 markers (shoes, cones or water bottles), running shoes, and a yard, park or open room.
- Lead a warm-up (5 min). Plan 5 moves (march, arm circles, side shuffles, gentle squats, jog on the spot). Explain and demonstrate each one clearly. Ask your group for one piece of feedback afterwards.
- Set up a game (15 min). Mark a small rectangle. Play keep-away: one team of 2 tries to make 5 passes in a row; the other player tries to intercept. Rotate every 2 minutes.
- Officiate one round. Make calls (out of bounds, contact) with a clear voice and a hand signal. Be consistent.
- Play fair. In another round, play with no official and make your own calls using the five-step routine.
- Debrief (5 min). Ask: Did everyone get touches? Was any call hard? How did it feel to be the official?
Safety: No tackling or grabbing. Clear the space of obstacles. Indoors, use a soft ball and stay away from windows, stairs and lamps.
Just for funFunny but true: many ultimate tournaments give out a Spirit award to the team that played the fairest and most respectfully. Yes, a trophy for being nice. Some teams want it more than the championship.
Your turn
1List four fair-play behaviours from the curriculum.
Any four: working cooperatively, encouraging others, recognizing contributions, giving and accepting help, competing fairly with sportsmanship, taking leadership roles.
2Give two verbal calls and two non-verbal signals you could use in a game.
Verbal: "Mine!", "Yours!", "Man on!", a teammate's name. Non-verbal: pointing to space, raised hand to show you're open, eye contact, thumbs-up.
3A classmate officiating your game calls your shot out. You think it was in. What should you do?
Accept the call and keep playing. If needed, the captain can ask calmly at a break. Never argue or yell at the official.
4What is the difference between assertive and aggressive communication?
Assertive is clear, calm and respectful ("Please call it earlier"). Aggressive attacks or insults the other person ("You're useless!").
5Name three leadership roles in physical activity.
Any three: warm-up leader, captain, official, scorekeeper, equipment manager, peer coach.
6Why does the five-step routine include a pause?
A slow breath gives you time to calm down so emotions don't take over, and you can speak respectfully.
More practice: warm-up
1What is the Spirit of the Game?
The idea in ultimate that players make their own calls and play hard while respecting opponents and the rules.
2Is thanking the player who passed to you an example of recognizing contributions?
3What does "officiate" mean?
To act as a referee, umpire, judge or scorekeeper and make calls.
4Name one True Sport principle.
Any one: go for it, play fair, respect others, keep it fun, stay healthy, include everyone, give back.
5When should a partner in doubles call the shot?
Early and loudly, before the ball or shuttle arrives.
More practice: on your own
1Your team is winning 10 to 0. Describe two ways to show sportsmanship.
For example: no celebrating in the other team's faces; make sure everyone on your team gets touches; encourage the other team's good plays; shake hands or tap sticks at the end. Respect the opponent.
2Rewrite this aggressive comment as an assertive one: "You never pass! Are you blind?"
For example: "I'm open on the left a lot. Can you look for me?" It states the need clearly and respectfully.
3As a peer official, you missed a play because you were looking elsewhere. What is the fair thing to do?
Say honestly that you didn't see it and call a do-over (replay). Guessing could be unfair to one team.
4Why can leading a warm-up be good for someone who is not a strong athlete?
Leadership doesn't depend on skill. Leading builds communication and confidence, shows responsibility, and lets the person contribute to the group.
5Explain how fair play makes activity more enjoyable for everyone.
When players are honest and respectful, games feel safe and fair, fewer arguments happen, everyone gets a chance, and people want to keep playing, which supports lifelong activity.
Challenge
1Some players argue that a little bit of cheating is "part of the game" (for example, faking a foul). Give a reasoned response using the ideas of ethical behaviour and fair play.
A strong answer: cheating may win a point but breaks trust, is unfair to opponents who play honestly, can lead to injury or anger, and takes away the real satisfaction of earning success. Ethical behaviour means doing what's right even when you could get away with it. Fair play keeps the game enjoyable for everyone.
2Plan how you would officiate a 3-on-3 game of keep-away for younger cousins: where you would stand, what you would call, and how you would keep it fair.
Example: stand at the side, near the middle, so you can see the whole space; explain 3 simple rules first (no contact, stay in bounds, 5 passes = a point); use a clear voice and hand signal; make the same call for both teams; use do-overs when unsure; praise good passes and fair play from both sides.
3Your team keeps losing because two players hog the ball. As captain, write what you would say at a break, using assertive communication and a team goal.
Example: "We're strong when everyone touches the ball. Let's try a new rule for us: three passes before we shoot. Sam and Leo, you're great at getting open, so look for Maya and Ji-woo on the wing." It is clear, positive, gives a specific plan and recognizes everyone's strengths.
Quiz
2. A peer official makes a call you disagree with. The best response is to:
3. In doubles, a shot comes between you and your partner. What should happen?
4. Which statement is assertive?
5. Which is a leadership role in physical activity?
6. Recognizing contributions means:
Big idea: Expectation A1.3 asks students to show positive social behaviour and ethical, fair-play behaviour so activity is rewarding for everyone, including encouraging others, giving and accepting help, competing fairly and taking leadership roles. Living skills 1.3 (communication) and 1.4 (relationship and social skills, including respecting peer officials) are built in.
How to help at home:
- During family games, let your teen officiate or lead the warm-up.
- Model good sportsmanship when watching sports: point out respectful behaviour as well as poor behaviour.
- Practise turning an aggressive sentence into an assertive one.
Common difficulties:
- Taking calls personally. Remind them that officials, especially peers, are learning too.
- Thinking leadership means being the best player. Point out other roles.
- Silent teammates. Practise calling "Mine!" during a game of catch.
Safety: Keep home games non-contact and in a clear space.