{"id":621,"date":"2010-05-04T20:40:59","date_gmt":"2010-05-04T20:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/?p=621"},"modified":"2025-08-11T06:07:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T10:07:09","slug":"help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/","title":{"rendered":"Help us Fight Bullying in Sports"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking.png\" alt=\"Helping Sports Kids with \u201cWhat if\u201d Thinking\" class=\"wp-image-9143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking.png 600w, https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/what-if-thinking-300x150.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Taking_Steps_To_Prevent_Bullying_in_Sports_Kids\"><\/span>Taking Steps To Prevent Bullying in Sports Kids<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Taking_Steps_To_Prevent_Bullying_in_Sports_Kids\" >Taking Steps To Prevent Bullying in Sports Kids<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Bullying_is_especially_rampant_in_sports\" >Bullying is especially rampant in sports.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#In_fact_many_kids_who_are_bullied_drop_out_of_sports\" >In fact, many kids who are bullied drop out of sports.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Bullies_try_to_hurt_gifted_athletes_because_theyre_jealous\" >Bullies try to hurt gifted athletes because they\u2019re jealous.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Do_you_have_any_stories_to_share_with_us_about_bullying\" >Do you have any stories to share with us about bullying?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Related_Articles_on_Kids_Mental_Game\" >Related Articles on Kids&#8217; Mental Game:<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/#Improve_Your_Mental_Game_From_Anywhere_In_The_World\" >Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Bullying<\/strong> is an epidemic in our society today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bullying_is_especially_rampant_in_sports\"><\/span>Bullying is especially rampant in sports.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A recent survey of high school students across the U.S. found that 48% of respondents had been subjected to hazing&#8211;a form of <strong>bullying<\/strong> in which kids are humiliated or required to take part in dangerous activities. Much of this hazing happens in sports, the study found.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Young athletes may be&nbsp;bullied by adults, as well as peers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Youth coaches often yell at, tease, humiliate and intimidate kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bullying is a sure-fire way to hurt young athletes\u2019 <strong>confidence<\/strong> and enjoyment of sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"In_fact_many_kids_who_are_bullied_drop_out_of_sports\"><\/span>In fact, many kids who are bullied drop out of sports.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Parents have told us they don\u2019t know what to do to help their kids deal with bullies&#8211;or how to prevent them from quitting when they\u2019re targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paul Coughlin, a sports dad and coach, says his son quit playing soccer because two of the kids on the team picked on his son repeatedly. <em>\u201cThey made fun of his hair and what he was wearing,\u201d<\/em> he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this case, the bullies were physically advanced, and used that power to put other kids down, he says. <em>\u201cIt was awful for us as parents. We felt powerless,\u201d<\/em> says Coughlin, now an anti-bullying advocate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only are the less physically advanced athletes targets of bullies. So are gifted athletes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bullies_try_to_hurt_gifted_athletes_because_theyre_jealous\"><\/span>Bullies try to hurt gifted athletes because they\u2019re jealous.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Kirsten, a sports mom, says a group of jealous boys tried to beat up her son. They also stole his belongings, damaged his belongings, and described sexual acts to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kids, parents and coaches should not tolerate bullies. But dealing with them is tricky. That\u2019s because kids are afraid and embarrassed to talk about being bullied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s more, bullies are crafty and it\u2019s hard to catch them. And schools, sports teams and other organizations often turn a blind eye to bullies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here at the Ultimate Sports Parent, we\u2019re developing a series of resources to show parents and coaches how to help kids stay <strong>mentally tough<\/strong> in the face of bullies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re also working on resources specifically for young athletes, aimed at helping them stay <strong>mentally tough<\/strong> in the likely event that they\u2019ll deal with this challenge at some point in sports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;ll reveal more details of our new program later, but our aim is to provide practical, proven <strong>sports psychology<\/strong> tips for helping kids stay <strong>confident<\/strong>, <strong>focused<\/strong> and on track when bullies target them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Right now, we need your help!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Do_you_have_any_stories_to_share_with_us_about_bullying\"><\/span>Do you have any stories to share with us about bullying?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You might discuss the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have your kids or any of their friends ever been the target of bullies\u2014peers or coaches&#8211;in sports?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How did this treatment affect the young athletes? How did it influence their <strong>confidence<\/strong> or <strong>focus?<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How did you as parents and your kids\u2019 coaches deal with this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Were your efforts successful in putting an end to the bullying?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019d appreciate it if you post your comments on our blog below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thanks for your input. Stay tuned for more bullying resources very soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>P.S. <strong>One last question:<\/strong> Do you suspect or worry your young athlete may be bullied in sports, but feel he or she is too embarrassed to tell you? Please post your comments below!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"related-articles-on-hockey-mental-game\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Articles_on_Kids_Mental_Game\"><\/span>Related Articles on Kids&#8217; Mental Game:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/can-you-spot-the-signs-of-bullying-in-sports\/\"><strong>Can You Spot the Signs of Bullying in Sports?<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/addressing-anxiety-mistakes-and-low-confidence-in-youth-sports\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-girls-in-sports-overcome-bullying\/\"><strong>Help Girls In Sports Overcome Bullying<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/helping-athletes-prepare-for-bullying-in-sports\/\"><strong>Helping Athletes Prepare for Bullying in Sports\u2026<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p id=\"block-f49818fa-7c7a-4ee3-b5ee-66581aad2c71\">*Subscribe to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/sports-psychology-podcast-by-peaksports-com\/id152566009\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0on iTunes<br>*Subscribe to <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0ynyaalKxbnNmsoeL8gF5X?si=8224669de9b3435b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Sports Psychology Podcast<\/a> <\/strong>on Spotify<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Improve_Your_Mental_Game_From_Anywhere_In_The_World\"><\/span><strong>Improve Your Mental Game From Anywhere In The World<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/mental-training-for-young-athletes.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6868\" style=\"width:138px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re certain that, as a parent,&nbsp;you want to help your child develop confidence and discipline in sports and life.&nbsp;And as a sports parent, you\u2019d love for your children to reach their potential in sports.&nbsp;But encouraging your child to <strong>strive for greatness without pressuring them<\/strong> can be a challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get expert mental coaching with us from anywhere. Meet with us via Zoom, Skype, FaceTime or phone call. With today\u2019s video technology, we are able to connect with athletes and coaches all over the globe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Call Us Today to Schedule Your Free 15-Minute Session.<\/strong><br><strong>Find Out How Your Athlete Can Benefit From One-on-One Mental Coaching!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Taking Steps To Prevent Bullying in Sports Kids Bullying is an epidemic in our society today. Bullying is especially rampant in sports. A recent survey of high school students across the U.S. found that 48% of respondents had been subjected to hazing&#8211;a form of bullying in which kids are humiliated &#8230; <a title=\"Help us Fight Bullying in Sports\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/help-us-fight-bullying-in-sports\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Help us Fight Bullying in Sports\">Read Sport Psychology Tip<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,9,18,6],"tags":[91,134,136,138,137,133,39,135],"class_list":["post-621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-in-sports","category-sports-dropouts","category-young-athletes-pressure","category-youth-sports-psychology-blog","tag-bullying","tag-bullying-in-sports","tag-bullying-talented-athletes","tag-fighting-bullying-in-sports","tag-jealousy-and-bullying-in-sports","tag-jealousy","tag-kids-sports-psychology","tag-kids-who-bully-teammates","resize-featured-image"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.youthsportspsychology.com\/youth_sports_psychology_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}