There is probably a sore loser hidden in the heart of almost every person on the planet.

Most people can't accept defeat with aplomb. Trying to teach kids to be good losers has sent many coaches and parents to the textbooks looking for answers.

During my time as a sports mom, I'm sure I unthinkingly yelled out some inappropriate slogans because I was so into a game and wanted my kids to WIN. When my son, Jim, played lacrosse, the phrase "Hit him with your stick!" was often heard from many a respectable mom.

Lots of people thought golfer Ernie Els was a really bad sport when he wouldn't talk to Tiger Woods during a 20-minute delay in a particularly intense tournament. Personally, I thought he was pretty honest when he said, "I don't know what I would have said to him. I don't know if I would have punched him or kicked him in the knees. We were very competitive. He's a good friend of mine, but I can say hello to him at some other time."

Knowing your limits is a good thing. Just ask Serena Williams, who recently lost a U.S. Open semifinal match because she yelled and threatened a line judge.

Baseball's George Brett was tagged as a sore loser when he said, "If a tie is like kissing your sister, losing is like kissing your grandmother with her teeth out."

That is pretty much true, but a good sport can hide those feelings and smile in the face of fate.

After Boise State beat Oregon to open its 2009 football season, Bronco defensive end Byron Hout approached Duck running back LeGarrette Blount. Hout tapped Blount on the shoulder pads and said something Blount objected.

Blount threw a punch that landed solidly on Hout's jaw, resulting in Blount's being suspended for the rest of the season.

That is a mighty hard way to learn a lesson. But it is good to see coaches working for the good of a player who might learn some control.

Hout was not suspended for taunting Blount, which doesn't seem fair. But, hopefully, this will be a learning experience — especially for Hout.

Anger management is important to everyone in all aspects of life, not just in sports. When anger controls a person, it can ruin relationships and damage quality of a life.

Aristotle advised, "Anyone can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not easy."

Just putting on a good face isn't the nub of sportsmanship. It's learning that there will be another game, another chance to win, another year to be better. And realizing that the other guy wants to win as much as you do and deserves respect. It takes time and experience to teach young people (and old people as well) how to control the sore loser within.

e-mail: sasy14@gmail.com