Coach Berating Players

[Adam]

Originally Posted by griblets

When working a summer tournament about 20 years, a coach was berating his 13-14 year old players terribly. It wasn't in an effort to help them. He was simply crushing their spirit. It was absolutely atrocious the way he belittled his players. I've always carried regret for not giving him an unsporting T for his behavior. I think the team's parents would have applauded.

Fast forward 20 years, and I had a similar situation last night with a BJV coach. It was obvious that the kids were not learning anything because the coach couldn't say anything positive. They were visibly upset with the treatment they were getting. It was sickening how he was treating them. He's going to drive many of those kids away from playing next year. I almost got an opportunity to rectify my regret from 20 years ago, but couldn't find the right situation to give him an unsporting T.

I wonder if anyone else has or would T a coach for the way that he treats and/or speaks to his team?

Short answer: No.

MTD's situations are different, IMO. I'd be very quick to deal with a case of physical assault. Verbal stuff is on the parents, IMO.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Adam

Short answer: No.

MTD's situations are different, IMO. I'd be very quick to deal with a case of physical assault. Verbal stuff is on the parents, IMO.

Adam:

I do not think that verbal abuse should not be ignored in a JrHS or HS setting. Remember we are dealing with adolescents not adults.

Children are taught to not challenge adult authority figures. Child care advocates know that in certain situations will feel too intimidated to report the verbal abuse by their coach. Parents can also feel that intimidation. The coach-player dynamic can be a difficult one to navigate for children especially at the JrHS age. As officials we are neutral observers in the game and therefore in a better position to take action when verbal abuse is observed.

I would like to think that we as officials would be able to say that they know what is inappropriate conduct by a coach and will take the initiative to stop such conduct by a coach.

MTD, Sr.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Adam:

I do not think that verbal abuse should not be ignored in a JrHS or HS setting. Remember we are dealing with adolescents not adults.

Children are taught to not challenge adult authority figures. Child care advocates know that in certain situations will feel too intimidated to report the verbal abuse by their coach. Parents can also feel that intimidation. The coach-player dynamic can be a difficult one to navigate for children especially at the JrHS age. As officials we are neutral observers in the game and therefore in a better position to take action when verbal abuse is observed.

I would like to think that we as officials would be able to say that they know what is inappropriate conduct by a coach and will take the initiative to stop such conduct by a coach.

MTD, Sr.

Then report it to the governing body, or let the parents deal with it (like you did). If it's egregious enough to get my attention and make me uncomfortable, I'll report it to whomever governs that program.

I'm not a lawyer nor a DHS professional, so I don't know what constitutes verbal abuse. I won't pretend to make any such declarations, either.

AAU-style (non-scholastic) ball, I'll be willing to bet that he'd start it with me as well. I'm not all that likely to give him the "I'm not one of your players" warning, I may just stick him as soon as he gets inappropriate with me.