Sports parents report to us that their young athletes are teased harassed and threatened by bullies. Bullies will also exclude young athletes from social groups or try to intimidate them into quitting sports. Athletes who are subjected to bullying will often lose focus, play or perform tentatively, feel anxious, or quit sports altogether.
As sports parents you can help your young athletes stay mentally tough in the face of bullies and learn critical life lessons from this experience. Let your athletes know that it is ok to feel afraid of bullies, but it’s important not to show it. When young athletes step up and respond to bullies with seeming confidence, they will likely throw the bully off guard.
Check out The Ultimate Sports Parent workbook for more sports parenting tips.