Enrolling your child in a school sport is a great way for your child to develop both motor skills and social skills. Your child will love building the teamwork mentality while developing skills for their favorite sport. Unfortunately, bullying can happen during school sports. As a parent, you can take certain steps to help deal with your child being bullied.
Dealing with Bullying in School Sports
What is Bullying?
Before you can deal with bullying in school sports, you need to know what bullying actually is. Bullying is repeated physical and verbal behavior that causes harm to your child. Anyone can be a bully, including teammates, as well as coaches. If your child feels like they’re being bullied, talk about the reasons behind this. Do a little research and see if what your child is experience fits the definition of bullying. If it does, then you’re ready to solve the problem.
Talk to the Coach
If your child is being bullied during school sports, your first step is to talk to the coach. Your child’s coach is on the front lines, so to speak, so they should be able to directly deal with any bullying behavior if they know what to look for. Let your child’s coach know what’s going on and who is involved so that they have the information they need.
Talk to the School
If talking to the coach doesn’t help the issue, you can talk to the school. Because the sport is offered by the school system, they are supposed to follow the same anti-bullying guidelines that your district has in place. If you feel like the coach isn’t following these policies, then talk to the principal at your child’s school or go directly to the district’s administration office.
Volunteer
Another great way to deal with bullying in school sports is to volunteer. There are a lot of kids involved in a sport, making it harder for coaches to catch negative behavior and deal with it. You can lend a helping hand on your child’s team, allowing more adults to be on the lookout for bullying.
What are some ways you deal with bullying in school sports?
This is so important especially since my oldest likes to participate in sports but isn’t aggressive or particularly athletic!
We have already seen this in our son’s basketball league – he is 4!! Just SAD!
I had no idea. It really is a problem and I am glad there is awareness out there now for parents who need it!
Good post – recently there was a serious bullying problem from one of the schools my grandson played basketball against. The coach promoted bullying with his players. I was so proud my daughter. She watched then bullying – she got up and removed Caleb from the game. After she did numerous other parents also removed their sons and they forfeited the game. The other team was furious! Caleb’s coach stated to everyone at the game – that “Bullying is not allowed at this school” – “This game is forfeited – winning is not as important as stopping bullying” PRICELESS MOMENT!
We have not had that happen so far. We have a very proactive approach .
I think sadly this has quickly become such a huge issue everywhere! I can see how bullying would be even more found in a competitive space such a sports.
I dread this. We actually have kindergarten registration today, so we have a lot ahead of us. I just hope that what I’ve been teaching my son about standing up to bullies is getting through! I remember what it’s like, and the damage it can do.
There are actually Teachers who know and do nothing about it. Principals included . Its sad how many great kids have to get picked on by other Kids
I like to see schools that are active in their conflict resolution. We really lucked out when it came to sports.
It’s sad that kids have to deal with bullying. If a kid has fun playing sports, they shouldn’t be made fun of constantly for doing so.
thankfully we haven’t encountered any issues in our kids’ sports. I really like your tips here though and I think it’s important we all know how to deal with bullies
I had a friend who dealt wth this. The young 6th grader who was better ranked in tennis than his 8th grade team mates. NOt sure how they resolved it but these are great suggestions.
We’ve had a few incidents, but nothing that the coach couldn’t handle. Thanks for bringing awareness to this issue!
Bullying is getting so out of hand. I am glad all of son’s friends are kind hearted.
Great tips for dealing with bullying, thanks!
My kids were in team sports for only one year. My youngest has special needs and he could not take the pressure. I am sure we would have been bullied had we stayed.
Luckily I haven’t seen this in my kids sports. We are a tight knit community, though.