You should never step on a court or field and think that you’ve already won a game before you play the game. Coaches should never think that their players are so great that it’s not possible for their team to lose against an opponent who is not expected to win. When you’re truly a great team, you prepare in practice for every team with the same level of intensity and with the goal of getting better and better. It’s okay to step on a court or field and feel confident that you’re going to win, but you shouldn’t think that you’ve already won. Upsets happen often because teams feel like they’ve already won before the game is played.
Coaches need to make sure they teach their teams how to win and lose with grace. When a team defeats you, don’t start trying to fight because you’re so upset that you lost. If you’re a high school or college student-athlete, your unacceptable behavior after a win or loss can cause you a chance to play at the next level because people can be turned off with how you act after a win or loss. You have to understand that there are going to be times when you win and times when you’re going to lose. Always maintain control of your attitude because your character matters at all times.
Demonstrating poor character after a win or loss can make people stop supporting you and make them not want to come see you play another game. People don’t come to see you play with poor character—they come to see you display your talent with sportsmanship.
If you’re an arrogant coach, then you need to understand that your arrogance is going to cost your team a loss inevitably. Arrogant coaches need to resign from their jobs because they don’t set the kind of example they need to for their team. Arrogant coaches make everything about themselves and often close their ears from listening to good advice from others who can help them to improve their coaching and team.
Never make sports your life. There are more important things in life than sports.
Play every game like it’s your last because it could very well be your last. With the severe injuries that can and do occur during games, you have to understand that you may not have another chance to display your talent on the court or field again. Therefore, make the best of every opportunity you have.
In order for a team to win a game, a team only needs to be the best team on that particular day. As the high school and college football season winds down to their final games, don’t forget that the teams expected to win may not win. You cannot go ahead and write a team off until the game is actually played. When you write a team off before the game is played, this is when you are setting yourself up for failure. Your opponents know when you take them for granted and they seize on the opportunities your arrogance affords them.
Don’t let your arrogance cost you a win!
Antonio Maurice Daniels
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Revolutionary Paideia 
Hi, thanks for this article and for your insights. It is so important to remember that in so many area of life, we just can’t afford to take things for granted.
I also can apply this in the spiritual realm. We know that when Christ died on the cross, He sealed the fate of Satan, and that on Jesus’ return to earth when He comes for us, Satan will be finally and forever, cast into the lake of fire.
But that does not mean that we can stroll casually through life. No, the Bible tells us that Satan goes around seeking for someone to devour.
Even though we know that, in the end, we win, today we must be ever vigilant, fully prepared each day to do battle.
I agree 100%! We cannot take anything for granted. In fact, Satan would like nothing more than for us to take things for granted. When we take things for granted, it gives Satan an opportunity to prey on our weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Thanks for reading and your excellent response!