Working with young athletes can be tricky. As they’re still developing their social skills, some of them may resort to bullying. Bullying gives them a false sense of pride, but it can have adverse mental effects on the ones who are on the receiving end.
Good teamwork is achieved through trust and the bonds of sportsmanship. If you’re a coach of a young team, you need to understand that bullying is serious and must be dealt with immediately.
- It can create divisions in your team:
While kids are competitive, sometimes it can go over the edge. A lot of children form their own cliques within the team, and this can cause a rift which could affect play.
- It demoralizes them:
Teammates who aren’t pushing each other positively can have negative effects on you as a coach. You’ll see a team that’s dejected and not willing to put their 100%. You need to nip it in the bud and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
How can you create a positive environment?
You can create a more positive environment by being willing to listen to members of your team. Encourage players to speak honestly about their experiences with the coach. If they do it in private, respect their decision.
Emphasize the importance of trust and teamwork. Let it be clear that bullying will not be tolerated because everyone on the team matters and that kind of behavior is, frankly, a distraction from the hard work of practice and playing. Also, keep mixing up practice groups so they spend equal time with one another in drills and exercises.
With a diligent eye and some good management, your team will soon appreciate one another and start playing and behaving the right way!