Bullying is an epidemic in sports, just as it is in schools and other places. The many sports parents who have written us about bullying say their young athletes are teased, harassed and threatened by bullies.
Bullies might exclude young athletes from social groups or try to intimidate them into quitting sports. But that’s not all. Young athletes must also cope with “bully coaches,” coaches who threaten, yell and intimidate.
Athletes who are subjected to bullying will often feel angry or frustrated, lose focus, play or perform tentatively, feel anxious, drop out of tournaments or competitions, or quit sports altogether.
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