The Verbal Abuse of Students in Sports

Sports provide an outlet for kids to exert physical and mental energy. However, at times, the adults in charge of facilitating kids' sports activities may take the experience in a negative direction. Verbal abuse of students in sports is widespread across various sports and is not specific to one gender or age group. However, recognizing the occurrence and educating your children on the importance of telling an adult when they have been verbally abused is key to stopping this vicious cycle.

  1. Identification

    • Verbal abuse of students in sports may take many forms. It is more than just "tough love" or verbal encouragement of student athletes by coaches and various staff. Verbal abuse consists of name calling, statements meant to belittle or humiliate, or cursing at players. Sports in general are characterized by passionate displays of athleticism or showmanship; however, verbal assaults cross the line into abuse.

    Significance

    • Students often play sports looking for guidance or an outlet for other issues going on in their lives -- from frustrations at home to issues that may be going on in school. Verbal abuse may counteract the positive aspect of the student's playing experience. Moreover, it is toxic to other areas of the sport, encouraging other players to verbally abuse one another or parents to shout terms of verbal abuse to players, coaching staff and other spectators.

    Effects

    • If the student feels as though he is constantly being yelled at or humiliated, he may internalize and believe it. This can then transfer to other areas of the student's life, causing a negative chain reaction in terms of self-esteem. Moreover, it may discourage other students from playing sports with a particular coach or at a specific school. It may also cause students to perform poorly, disengage from the team or the game or spur an abusive reputation for the schools' sports programs.

    Solution

    • Encourage students to report verbal abuse to a parent, teacher or school administrator as soon as it occurs. Tell them not to wait until the abuse is out of control or recurrent before reporting it, because it may also affect other students, who might not have the ability to cope with it. Meanwhile, develop a rapport with coaches, so that if there is an accusation of abuse, you can discuss it and resolve the issue with the coach directly.