{"id":12222,"date":"2022-04-07T13:31:50","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T13:31:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/?p=12222"},"modified":"2022-09-08T13:21:24","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T13:21:24","slug":"when-does-tough-coaching-cross-the-line-into-abuse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diamondlaw.ca\/when-does-tough-coaching-cross-the-line-into-abuse\/","title":{"rendered":"When Does Tough Coaching Cross the Line Into Abuse?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Many people put a premium on excellence in sports. Employers often favour applicants who have participated in team or individual sports in schools because they typically have more discipline and drive than those without such experience. In most cases, athletic prowess is a combination of talent and tough coaching practice.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, people are becoming<\/span> aware of the potential for athlete abuse<\/span><\/a> by coaches in youth sports training, particularly in injury-prone sports, such as basketball, football and gymnastics. For example, alleged abusive gymnastics coach,<\/span> Elvira Saadi<\/span><\/a>, has been suspended pending an investigation for being psychologically abusive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Suppose your child sustains injuries or displays signs of <\/span>emotional and psychological trauma<\/span><\/a>. In that case, it may indicate that tough coaching has crossed the line into abusive behaviour. Your child may have been subjected to physical, sexual or emotional abuse.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Abusive Coaching?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The line separating a tough coach from an abusive coach is very fragile. Youth athletes may not realise that their training and treatment are unacceptable or unsafe and tantamount to emotional abuse. Many may think it is just the style of their baseball or football coach. In fairness, it is usually the intent of the coach for their athletes to reach their full potential.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, that is not always true. Some coaches and trainers push their athletes to extreme lengths because they enjoy the power.<\/span> Grade school children<\/span><\/a> are particularly vulnerable to emotional abuse from coaches, which can scar them for life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sports coaches owe a duty to youth athletes to ensure that they do not sustain serious injuries that have lifelong effects. Parents and children need to learn the difference between tough love and emotional abuse. Abusive coach behaviours follow a prolonged and deliberate pattern and may involve the following:<\/span>
\nUndermining the athlete\u2019s self-esteem
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