Go Team! A Guide to Game-Day Decorum

Good sportsmanship applies to the spectators in the game, too. Jacob Lund/Shutterstock

Team sports are rowdy and competitive, which is half the fun of being a fan. Players are expected to follow the rules of good sportsmanship, so let’s carry that etiquette into the stands, starting with taking off your hat and standing for the national anthem.

Take a Seat

Arrive on time, allowing time for all the potential parking snafus and security checks; add on extra minutes if you plan to grab a snack before you take your seat. Once the game has started, asking 20 people in your row to move so you can get to your seat is disruptive—especially if you make them miss a great play by standing to let you by.

Once you have your seat, stay put; don’t get up and down throughout the game. Try not to block others’ views, but, on the flip side, be understanding if you don’t have a clear view of the field in a packed stadium. It’s absolutely OK to jump up and cheer for a great play, but sit back down afterward. Tell the kids to sit, too—raise them right.

Code of Conduct

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the event and get loud. But be aware of your volume, and, perhaps even more importantly, your content. Keep your talk clean and don’t cheer for anything negative, such as an injury of a player on the other team. Don’t go on a rant about a bad call—the referee can’t hear you and honestly doesn’t care about your opinion—or you'll disrupt the enjoyment of anyone within voice range.