1. Trash talking is OK... if you can back it up.



There's nothing worse than someone who talks a lot on the court but can't back it up with his play. If you're going to throw insults my way, at least make sure you're not worthy of the same. You can't shout you're going to "make it rain" and then proceed to miss your next ten attempts. And please, don't think it's OK to keep on talking trash when your team is down by 20 points with only seconds left on the clock. You're going to lose and you talking is just plain annoying at that point.



2. Take it as well as you can give it.




We've seen a lot of players dish out multiple verbal insults on the court but snap at the first comment hurled his way. If you start talking trash on the court, it's pretty much a given that someone else on the other team is going to respond. So if you plan on letting your tongue fly during the game, be ready to be on the other end as well.



3. What is said on the court, stays on the court.



Always remember that once the final buzzer sounds, it's time to forget whatever was said and shake hands with your opponent. Competitive talk is usually a product of intense emotions on the court and is not supposed to be taken personally (with a few exceptions we'll get into shortly). It's easier to do this when your team wins but regardless of the outcome, you just have to learn how to let go.



4. Never bring up family.



Ridicule your opponent's receding hairline. Bring up that time he air-balled a free throw. Heck, you can even use the occasional cuss words at the heat of the moment. But remember to never, ever, use his family as trash talk material. Nothing is more sacred to a person than his family and that's definitely off-limits, no exceptions.



5. HUWAG KANG MAGING RACIST



We would be lying if we said this article wasn't inspired by Arwind Santos and his monkey business. There's a very distinct line between competitive banter and just straight up being offensive and Arwind Santos definitely crossed line. Saying that trash talking is OK and is part of the game does not excuse anyone from skirting around the rules of common decency and proper behavior. And should you be called out for such an offense (which social media definitely did with Arwind Santos). Arwind should definitely own up to it and apologize immediately.