In Jainism, ahimsa (non-violence) is the guiding principle. This means you should try to avoid harming living beings as much as possible.

• Practical stance: If you can watch the ground briefly and avoid stepping on bugs without compromising your safety or the quality of play, do so. A small act of kindness fits the spirit of ahimsa.
• If avoiding insects would make you unsafe or significantly worsen your performance, prioritize your safety and the integrity of the game. The intention matters: harming bugs needlessly is avoided, but protecting yourself and playing well is also important.
• Keep awareness, not guilt: Cultivate mindfulness during the game so you minimize unnecessary harm while staying focused on the sport.

Bottom line: Practice gentle awareness and minimize harm, but don’t sacrifice your safety or the effort of playing well.