Everyone wants to be considered a winner. Athletes, teams, coaches, and schools that achieve a sparkling win–loss record season after season are typically perceived as such. Conversely, no one desires the dreaded experience of losing competition after competition or the ramifications of it.

The prevailing position of most sport psychologists and thoughtful observers is that winning too much or losing too much shortchanges athletes (and coaches) of the full spectrum of experiences and emotions that make sports special. Those who believe sport can provide lessons for life almost certainly