Track Etiquette   �Children are natural mimics who act like their parents despite every effort to teach them good manners� Many people attend a Track Meet event to have a good time. It�s a place for everyone to have fun and cheer on their favorite athlete or team or simply just meet up with friends and family. As Parents we love to see our child succeed, and what better way to do that than to sign them up for sports. Sports are supposed to be an opportunity for children to meet and be with friends in a healthy competitive environment.   The majority of us have memories of playing in sporting events growing up, having good experiences with friends. To be able to sit on the sidelines during a Track Meet, or even practice and cheer our children on is the sweetest joy. Therefore we have a responsibility to display good sports etiquette for whiich there has been an invisible line between good sports etiquette and bad.     How do we tell the difference? Here are a few tips that might help guide you if you�re unsure if your etiquette is good etiquette.   1) Language! Language! Language! Do not yell or scream derogatory things in the stands in effort to show your support. First, remember that the kids are there to have fun and build skills � it�s not about adults.   2) Sportsmanship Track should not be larger than life for us. Applaud the good performance of all athletes, enjoy wins graciously and with class and handle losses with dignity and grace. Kids imitate adults and the sportsmanship we display will be an example your child can follow.�   3) Fan-manship Cheering is a good way to let your child know your rooting for them but remember Shouting out orders confuses your child and makes them concentrate on you instead of their coach. let your coach handle the coaching, and give your athlete plenty of praise and encouragement.   4) Noise! Noise! Noise! Noise can be distracting: The starting line is very close to the stands. Please do not make any noise at the start of any event. Whether a runner is at the blocks or a hammer thrower is winding up, noises are distracting and rude. But once the athlete starts, feel free to cheer as loud as you want.   5) Obey and Respect the rules Of course each and every sport, coach, or game has it's different rules. Rules that should be abided by at all times. And while sometimes it's ok to bend the rules the rules are there for everyone and to make things run smoothly.   6) To Sit or not to Sit. That is the question. Be on time for the event. Seating is sometimes a challenge and coming more than a few minutes late can mean you and your team may not have a comfortable place to sit. Tents are only allowed at the top of the stands, so please do not place a tent in front of someone else�s. who took the time to get there before the meet started.   7) Whose Tent is this anyways? Please remember to bring your own equipment. Its the responsibility of each team to Keep all non-club members (brothers, sisters, friends, relatives) under supervision. Please DO NOT use equipment that is not yours without first being given permission. We have had incidents of Non-Club members sitting under tents that were not provisioned for them. We all have personal belongings and would not want to see these things stolen or damaged. Therefore reserve the right to respect other peoples privacy.   8) Fair Play Cooperate with officials, coaches, directors and fellow participants to conduct a fair contest. Respect judgment of contest officials, abide by rules of the event.   Above all remember that any game is just that. A game. Win or lose the game is meant to be fun for everyone.