YOUTH SPORTS ARE MEANT TO BUILD CONFIDENCE, CHARACTER, AND COMMUNITY.
Strategies to Create Safer, Stronger, and More Inclusive Teams
Youth sports are meant to build confidence, character, and community. But when bullying creeps into the locker room, field, or court, it can do the opposite — eroding trust, damaging mental health, and even pushing kids to quit the sport altogether.
This blog explores the real impact of bullying in youth sports and what athletes, coaches, and parents can do to create safer, healthier environments.
What Bullying Looks Like in Sports
Bullying isn’t always obvious. It can show up as:
-
Verbal taunts or constant criticism
-
Exclusion from team activities
-
Mocking mistakes during practice
-
Social media harassment by teammates
-
Overly aggressive behavior from peers or even coaches
Research shows that repeated negative treatment in sports can lead to increased anxiety, low self-esteem, and a drop in motivation.
The Impact on Young Athletes
Bullying in sports is linked to:
-
Lower performance due to stress and fear of failure
-
Increased dropout rates from sports
-
Symptoms of anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal
-
Poor team cohesion and declining morale
The damage often extends beyond the sport — affecting academics, sleep, and relationships with family and friends.
What Coaches and Parents Can Do
1. Set the Tone Early
Coaches must clearly define what is and isn’t acceptable. Team rules should include expectations for respectful behavior, on and off the court.
2. Watch for Warning Signs
Is a player suddenly withdrawn? Hesitant to come to practice? These could be signs of bullying.
3. Empower Bystanders
Athletes should be taught to support teammates and report harmful behavior without fear of retaliation.
4. Respond Immediately
Silence protects the bully. Coaches and parents must address issues quickly, calmly, and directly.
Conclusion
Bullying in youth sports isn’t just a team issue — it’s a performance issue, a mental health issue, and often, a turning point in an athlete’s life. Creating a positive team culture where everyone feels safe and supported is not optional — it’s essential.
Because when athletes feel respected, they don’t just perform better — they stay in the game longer.
Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg. Luc has been coaching volleyball for 30+ years with athletes of all age classes and all abilities. He has developed most of the training techniques used by VISION coaches and is responsible for the coach development program at Volleyball Winnipeg. For more details on our Coach Resources, click here.