TrueSport
TrueSport – Learn
TrueSport – Learn
  • About
    • Ambassadors
    • Partnerships
    • Sponsors
  • True Voices
    • True Stories
    • True Experts
  • Media
  • Resources
    • TrueFood
    • Publications
    • Teach
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
    • Learn
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
      • Trending
    • Shop TrueSport
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeLinkedinVimeo
  • About
    • Ambassadors
    • Partnerships
    • Sponsors
  • True Voices
    • True Stories
    • True Experts
  • Media
  • Resources
    • TrueFood
    • Publications
    • Teach
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
    • Learn
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
      • Trending
    • Shop TrueSport

Warning Signs of Bullying in Youth Sports

Youth sports are a great environment for learning teamwork, developing confidence, and building character, but unfortunately it is not an environment immune to bullying. Despite increased awareness and education about bullying, coaches may not always notice it and kids may not want to talk about it.

Here are seven signs your young athlete is experiencing bullying in youth sports.

 

Sudden loss of interest in sport or activity

It is perfectly normal for kids’ interests to change over time, but a sudden loss of interest in sport or activity may have a more acute cause. Kids are drawn to sports to have fun, spend time with their friends, improve their skills, and compete. If that environment no longer feels safe or welcoming due to bullying from a teammate or coach, the activity is no longer fun or appealing and they may try to avoid the environment altogether.

 

Inexplicably lost or damaged equipment

In a non-sports environment, lost or destroyed clothing, electronics, toys, or school supplies are common signs of bullying. In youth sports, the list expands to include lost or destroyed apparel or equipment, particularly if you notice an increase in frequency.

 

Not wanting to change clothes or shower in locker room

Bullying often occurs when there is less supervision and greater vulnerability, making bathrooms and locker rooms particularly uncomfortable. Young athletes who are being bullied may suddenly start avoiding the locker room or waiting until they are home to use the bathroom or shower. This can also extend to not wanting to ride the bus to away games.

 

Complaining of illness or non-visible injury

The stress and anxiety around being bullied can sometimes manifest as real physical symptoms, including headaches and stomach aches. To avoid being around a bully, kids may also fabricate illnesses or minor injuries to get out of going to practice or a game.

 

Starts bullying siblings or friends

Bullying is about exerting control and power, leaving victims to feel they have neither. One response is to attempt to regain control and power by bullying someone else, often a sibling or sometimes a friend.

 

Doesn’t want to talk about practice or games

Sports are exciting, fun, and social, so it can be a sign of trouble if your young athlete is suddenly withdrawn and reluctant to talk about practices or games. This is particularly the case if they are equally sullen after wins and losses, or good performances and bad.

 

Outbursts and mood swings

Bullies feed off of their victims’ emotional responses, so kids who are being bullied often try to keep their emotions bottled up. Parents and coaches may inadvertently encourage this response by telling kids to simply ignore their tormentors. Those emotions eventually come spilling out, sometimes as angry outbursts, sudden tears, or exaggerated responses to minor stressors.

 

Takeaway

Exhibiting one or more of the signs above doesn’t automatically mean your young athlete is being bullied, but these signs should not be ignored. Talk with your child, ask open-ended questions, and listen with empathy. Stopping a bully works best with a community approach; consult the coach and school/league officials to come up with a plan of action.

FacebookTwitter
Category: Bullying Prevention
Tags: bullyingbullying preventioncoachesparents

Post navigation

PreviousPrevious post:Coaching Your Athlete Through Positive Self-TalkNextNext post:Sport Performance Anxiety in Youth Sports

Related posts

young boy swimming in lane with missing left forearm
Disability Etiquette: What You Need to Know
October 1, 2019
parents watching game from sidelines
Why It’s Important to Avoid Tension on the Sidelines
October 1, 2019
young boy on blocks of pool about to compete
8 Ways Athletes Can Resolve Conflicts Without Bullying
October 1, 2019
Preventing Bullying In Youth Sports
October 19, 2017
Do Many Bystanders Stop Bullying?
October 19, 2017
Remember This If You’re Being Bullied
October 19, 2017
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our Newsletter to stay informed on the latest TrueSport updates.

Subscribe
Most Recent
  • young male athlete jumping over a bar during practice
    How to Create Strong Habits to Help Your Athletes Achieve Goals
    December 1, 2019
  • young male soccer players stretching on a field
    Pivoting for the Goal: How to Help Athletes Through Mid-Season Adjustments
    December 1, 2019
  • coach instructing young athletes in a stretching position
    Role Modeling for Young Athletes: What Not to Do
    December 1, 2019
  • female coach speaking to two young female figure skating athletes
    What You Can Do to Stop the Cycle of Disrespect in Sports
    November 1, 2019
  • team of young male athlete holding trophy together
    Teach Your Athletes to Be Respectful Winners On the Field
    November 1, 2019
Explore Topics
  • A Good Sport
  • Accountability
  • Bullying Prevention
  • Clean Sport
  • Decision-Making
  • Goal-Setting
  • Hydration
  • Leadership
  • Nutrition
  • Preparation
  • Recovery
  • Respect
  • Self-Care
  • Shortcuts
  • Teamwork
  • Trending
  • Uncategorized
Facebook Feed

TrueSport

2 hours ago

TrueSport

A day full of surprises! We surprised Jose with a ceremony to celebrate his win of the Champion Coach award, his wife and daughter surprised him in the stands, and his dad surprised him by flying in from Chile!! 😭 Thank you Jose for being an awesome coach and role model to your athletes! 😀⚽ SportsEngine, an NBC Sports Group Company
truesport.org/sportsengine-inc-and-truesport-announce-winner-of-champion-coach-recognition-program/
... See MoreSee Less

A day full of surprises! We surprised Jose with a ceremony to celebrate his win of the Champion Coach award, his wife and daughter surprised him in the stands, and his dad surprised him by flying in from Chile!! 😭 Thank you Jose for being an awesome coach and role model to your athletes! 😀⚽ SportsEngine, an NBC Sports Group Company
https://truesport.org/sportsengine-inc-and-truesport-announce-winner-of-champion-coach-recognition-program/Image attachmentImage attachment+1Image attachment
View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

TrueSport shared a post.

4 hours ago

TrueSport

Catalyst Maria celebrates it's very own soccer coach Mr. Burgos as the 2019 champion coach TrueSport m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=451638392453676&id=100028225577352 ... See MoreSee Less

View on Facebook
·Share

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Google PlusShare on Linked InShare by Email

  • Likes: 1
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

 

Comment on Facebook

Load more
View on Facebook
Explore Topics
  • A Good Sport
  • Accountability
  • Bullying Prevention
  • Clean Sport
  • Decision-Making
  • Goal-Setting
  • Hydration
  • Leadership
  • Nutrition
  • Preparation
  • Recovery
  • Respect
  • Self-Care
  • Shortcuts
  • Teamwork
  • Trending
  • Uncategorized
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Subscribe to our Newsletter to stay informed on the latest TrueSport updates.

Subscribe
Tag Cloud
accountability Ambassadors anxiety Ask the expert athletes best practices bullying bullying prevention burnout clean and healthy performance clean sport coaches Coaching coaching strategies communication confidence decision making Elizabeth Beisel Goals goal setting Good Sport healthy performance Hydration injuries leadership mental health nutrition pain management parents Peter Vanderkaay positivity preparation recovery Respect responsibility role model self-care shortcuts sport injury Sportsmanship supplements support teamwork Video wellness
Copyright © 2014-2016 USADA - Privacy Policy - truesport@truesport.org - 719.323.6868
  • About
    • Ambassadors
    • Partnerships
    • Sponsors
  • True Voices
    • True Stories
    • True Experts
  • Media
  • Resources
    • TrueFood
    • Publications
    • Teach
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
    • Learn
      • A Good Sport
      • Accountability
      • Bullying Prevention
      • Clean Sport
      • Goal-Setting
      • Hydration
      • Leadership
      • Nutrition
      • Preparation
      • Recovery
      • Respect
      • Shortcuts
      • Teamwork
      • Trending
    • Shop TrueSport
TrueSport
FacebookTwitterInstagramYouTubeLinkedin