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Nine Ways Coaches Can Prevent Bullying

By TrueSport, 10/10/17, 10:30AM PDT

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Coaches can be a strong deterrent to bullying through the environment they create

Unfortunately, bullying is not uncommon. Over 70 percent of teens report seeing some kind of bullying in their schools, and 30 percent admit to having taken part in bullying.

Defined as intentionally using verbal or physical means to intimidate or harm, more simply bullying is repeatedly hurting someone else’s body or feelings on purpose. Recent events at schools in New JerseyOklahoma, and Pennsylvania remind us that bullying and hazing remain serious concerns in the world of youth sport.

Recent events at schools in New JerseyOklahoma, and Pennsylvania remind us that bullying and hazing remain serious concerns in the world of youth sport.

As a coach, you are one of the single biggest influences in your athletes’ lives. In many ways, ending bullying behavior begins and ends with you. Here are nine ways to both prevent and stop bullying on your team:

  1. Be an anti-bullying role model. Coaches can be a strong deterrent to bullying if they make it clear they are firmly against it. Your relationship with your players matter, and athletes who report having a good relationship with their coach are less likely to engage in antisocial behavior such as bullying.
  2. Encourage players to report bullying and create an environment at the start of your season that does not condone it. Discuss bullying and make sure you are there to supervise your players’ unstructured time (when bullying often occurs) during practices and games.
  3. Have open discussions. Talking about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior on and off the field is an important part of reducing bullying. For example, discuss the difference between being aggressive during the game and using that aggression outside of practice and competition with the intention to harm.
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About TrueSport

TrueSport® is a grassroots movement born and powered by the experience and values of USADA–the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The TrueSport® mission is simple and bold: to change the culture of youth sport by providing powerful educational tools to equip young athletes with the resources to build the life skills and core values for lasting success on and off the field.