Bullying in Sports: A Guide for Parents and Athletes

What to do if your budding athlete is being bullied.

2. They Really Understand Your Home Life - Sure, you may tell your friends what goes on at home and about the fight you had with your parents, but the only people that really understand what you're going through are your siblings. (Photo: Blend Images/Kris Timken/Getty Images)

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Bullying in Sports - Bullying is a national issue in schools, in the office and even in professional sports. On the last day of National Bulling Prevention Month, Oct. 31, Miami Dolphins tackle Jonathan Martin left the NFL amid rumors that he was bullied by teammates. While the NFL Players Association is investigating claims of “rookie tax” or hazing, parents can’t help but wonder if bullying is going on in professional sports, is it also happening on the high school, college and even peewee-league level? What you need to know about bullying in sports. —Dominique Zonyéé(Photo: Blend Images/Kris Timken/Getty Images)

What to Do When You Are Being Bullied? - If you are being bullied, don’t take the abuse:— Tell them to stop.  — Walk away. Do not let them get to you. If you walk away or ignore them, they will not feel the satisfaction of getting a rise out of you. — Protect yourself. Sometimes you cannot walk away. If you are being physically hurt, protect yourself so that you can get away. — Tell an adult you trust. Talking to someone could help you figure out the best ways to deal with the problem. In some cases, adults need to get involved for the bullying to stop. — Find a safe place. Go somewhere that you feel safe and secure, like the school library, a favorite teacher’s classroom or the office.— Stick together. Stay with a group or individuals that you trust. — Find opportunities to make new fri...

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What Is Bullying? - Bullying is intimidation, plain and simple. Bullies typically have one agenda to control and make a “weaker” person they deem inferior do what they want them to do. In school environments, on many occasions bullying can lead to “hazing,” forcing people to earn acceptance by doing humiliating acts. At least 1.5 million high school students have been hazed. (Photo: Fuse/Getty Images)

What Does Bullying in Sports Look Like? - If your child is being bullied on the field, on the court or in any sport, it can come in many forms such as a bully targeting your child for team mistakes, unwarranted screaming or yelling directed at your child, or repeated insults and/or threats. Bullying in sports can also go beyond the arena with emails or cyber-bullying via social media platforms.(Photo: Ocala Star-Banner /Landov)

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What Does Bullying in Sports Look Like? - If your child is being bullied on the field, on the court or in any sport, it can come in many forms such as a bully targeting your child for team mistakes, unwarranted screaming or yelling directed at your child, or repeated insults and/or threats. Bullying in sports can also go beyond the arena with emails or cyber-bullying via social media platforms.(Photo: Ocala Star-Banner /Landov)

Who Are Vulnerable Targets? - It is important to talk to your child about their self worth and self-esteem, as bullies typically pick on people who they not only deem physically weak but also emotionally and mentally weak. Exemplifying high self-esteem and knowing when to lead and when to follow can deter bullies from picking your child as a target.  (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images).

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Who Are Vulnerable Targets? - It is important to talk to your child about their self worth and self-esteem, as bullies typically pick on people who they not only deem physically weak but also emotionally and mentally weak. Exemplifying high self-esteem and knowing when to lead and when to follow can deter bullies from picking your child as a target.  (Photo: Elsa/Getty Images).

Motivating Your Child - Motivation can go a long away. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement in their youth will be creative, adventurous learners throughout their lives. Parents should lead by example showing support for their star athletes by attending games, cheering and showing interest in sports and activities that are important to their children.(Photo: Scott Halleran /Allsport)

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Motivating Your Child - Motivation can go a long away. Children who receive the right sort of support and encouragement in their youth will be creative, adventurous learners throughout their lives. Parents should lead by example showing support for their star athletes by attending games, cheering and showing interest in sports and activities that are important to their children.(Photo: Scott Halleran /Allsport)

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What Can Parents Do? - Parents should always maintain role-model status with their children and have open conversations with coaches and their children about appropriate sportsmanship. If you feel as though your child is being bullied, attend practices, inquire weather the coach is certified and a member of a provincial sport governing body with a code of ethics and harassment policy.(Photo: Daniel H. Bailey/Getty Images)

What Can Coaches Do? - Coaches are essentially role models for the team and should also lead by example. Sports are competitive and gaming environments can be saturated in emotion. It is important for coaches to know how to keep his or her emotions in check and also be aware of the team’s feelings as well. Coaches should also establish open lines of communication with the team and parents, if need be. (Photo: Larry French/Getty Images)

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What Can Coaches Do? - Coaches are essentially role models for the team and should also lead by example. Sports are competitive and gaming environments can be saturated in emotion. It is important for coaches to know how to keep his or her emotions in check and also be aware of the team’s feelings as well. Coaches should also establish open lines of communication with the team and parents, if need be. (Photo: Larry French/Getty Images)

How Can Teammates Help? - Knowing that your teammates have your back is a great feeling. For example when the Philadelphia Eagles lost three games in a row in 2011, instead of blaming one another they focused their energy on supporting teammate DeSean Jackson’s anti-bullying campaign. Players should stand up for one another and report bullying to someone they trust.(Photo: Ocala Star-Banner /Landov)

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How Can Teammates Help? - Knowing that your teammates have your back is a great feeling. For example when the Philadelphia Eagles lost three games in a row in 2011, instead of blaming one another they focused their energy on supporting teammate DeSean Jackson’s anti-bullying campaign. Players should stand up for one another and report bullying to someone they trust.(Photo: Ocala Star-Banner /Landov)

I Tried Everything, But My Child Is Still Being Bullied - If your child is being bullied and they need to speak to someone there are several outlets for them to get help. They can call the 24-hour Bullying Prevention Helpline at 1-888-456-2323, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the CyberBully Hotline here. (Photo: Emergency Communications Network)

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I Tried Everything, But My Child Is Still Being Bullied - If your child is being bullied and they need to speak to someone there are several outlets for them to get help. They can call the 24-hour Bullying Prevention Helpline at 1-888-456-2323, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or visit the CyberBully Hotline here. (Photo: Emergency Communications Network)