How Bully Coaches Affect an Athletes Mental Game Sports Psychology Today. Below is a quote from one of our athletes who is a 1. Going into high school I was a standout athlete with high confidence but after my freshman year I started to lose interest. Photo Print Wizard. It just wasnt fun anymore. I hated practice because I was always worrying about messing up and being embarrassed by the coach. In games I worried about what he would do or say if I made a mistake so I became less aggressive. When I thought I did something right he thought it was wrong, and when I tried to work hard and gain his approval it was never good enough. It got to the point where I was making up excuses to get out of practice, and I even hoped I would be benched so I didnt have to worry anymore. I knew the coach was tough, and I have no problems doing extra work or having someone push me to do better. But when he gets in my face, calls me out, embarrasses me in front of the team, and has a problem with me every day it makes me question why I still play. I use to play to learn, compete, be with friends, and have fun. Now I cant wait for the season to be over, and practice is always the worst part of my day. I dont tell anyone how it affects my motivation and confidence because its football, and everyone complains about the coach. You just have to quit or accept it. Youth coaches are critical to kids sport experiences. They can influence whether young athletes enjoy sports and want to continue playing. Some coaches can get kids excited about sports, while other coaches may discourage kids or take the fun out of the game. A good coach can keep kids interest in sports alive. Bullied kids think there is something the matter with them. This deflates them and creates a lack of comfort and security in sports. It is possible young athletes are afraid to talk about being bullied by coaches. Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' title='Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' />Often, young athletes first reaction to being treated this way is shame. They feel as if they somehow caused the coach to treat them badly. Bullying can hurt an athletes confidencein and out of sports. When athletes are being bullied, and singled out by coaches they begin to have doubts about their ability to perform which cause them to question their role in sports. Athletes who are bullied experience difficulty focusing on what they should focus on. Like this young athlete, they sometimes obsess on the bully. I was a highranking member of a South Philadelphia skinhead gang. Ive seen almost every part of the movement, and things do look a little different from the inside. Monitoringstring 81f1107463d5e188739a27bccd18dab9monitoringstring e515715cc11bfd2d7009dd73cfdbe162monitoringstring 630c2418a1cab4c8f99991b8657516a3. The old saying, Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never harm me is more or less exactly backwards. For the most part, physical dam. Thank you, Terry. Later today, I will get you a link to Church Answers. It is a community of over 1,100 pastors and church leaders helping one another. It never ceases to amaze me the way the left attempts to rewrite history. I find it especially dangerous that our millennial generation is so misinformed about the. Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' title='Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' />The kids are also afraid. They think, Should I shoot the ball Should I pass the ball Should I get rid of the ball fast for example. They focus on the wrong things during sports because they are preoccupied with gaining approval from the coach. Disney Mickey Mouse Kindergarten Game. Often they are afraid of how the coach will react if they make the wrong decision. Capture_2885530c.jpg' alt='Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' title='Game Over Dealing With Bullies In The Church' />Fear doesnt enhance an athletes sports experience. And its not good motivatorsalthough some coaches try to rely on it. Fear is a mental game killer. To really benefit from and enjoy sports, young athletes need to feel confident and safe. Thats where you, as sports parents come in. You, as parents and coaches, can do a lot to help kids who are bullied by their coaches. The best opinions, comments and analysis from The Telegraph. QUOTE In Wolfensteins case, its pure coincidence that Nazis are marching in the streets of America this year. And its disturbing that the game can be. The church I attend and am an elder in is presently dealing with this exact issue. We have one individual on the team of elders that fits nearly all of the mentioned. Please visit our Discussion Forum and Message Board  to share your story and comments and for more opinions from our experts on how to deal with bully coaches in sports. You can calls contact us to learn more about our Sports Parenting Programs. Our Bully Programs for parents will teach you  how to identify the characteristics of a bully coach, and how to stand up to coaches who put your athletes confidence, focus, self esteem, motivation, and enjoyment of sports at risk. Please share your comments, questions, and opinions in our discussion forummessage board. We added this component to Sport Psychology Today to allow parents, athletes, coaches, students, and professionals the opportunity to submit any questions, topics, and advice publicly. You can visit the Discussion Forum through the Discussion tab on the Homepage menu. Once you click Discussion you can register for FREE and log in and share your thoughts and questions with unlimited access. 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