Preventing

WAYS TO CREATE A POSITIVE SPORT ENVIRONMENT

Principles for Positive Sport

You help set the tone and culture of safety in your sport activities. Whether you work with teams or individual athletes, your words, behaviors, and expectations establish an environment that can either promote or discourage misconduct. 

These principles will help you establish a positive sport environment. 

Set behavioral expectations with athletes (and parents or guardians of youth athletes) up front. Be sure your expectations are age- and developmentally appropriate.

Tip: If you tell athletes that you do not tolerate back talk, also let them know how and when to express questions or concerns about something you asked them to do.

Model appropriate and respectful behavior with athletes, parents, guardians, officials, and other coaches. Do not use slurs or other demeaning language when talking to or about others.

Tip: Do not refer to athletes without disabilities as “normal.” This implies that athletes with disabilities are not normal.

Create an environment that welcomes athletes of every background. For example, ask every athlete how to correctly pronounce their name. Actively encourage athletes to respect each other's cultural practices and unique identities.

Tip: Be sure that nicknames of athletes you coach are not offensive or hurtful.

Keep the age and developmental level of athletes in mind when talking to them.

Tip: Teenage athletes may understand that a raised voice is not always the same as yelling in anger, but younger athletes may not. You may need to simplify language (though when communicating with athletes with cognitive disabilities, be sure to choose language that is not condescending).

Pay attention to the safety needs of athletes from marginalized groups. They are at a higher risk for being abused, bullied, and harassed.^[2]

Tip: Be sure practice and competitions are accessible or that advance plans are made for spaces with access problems or inequities. When you travel, learn about local laws and attitudes that may be dangerous for athletes from marginalized groups and work with them to create a safety plan. Immediately address racist, homophobic, and other inappropriate language and actions from teammates, competitors, or fans.

Let athletes know winning is one part of sport. Their growth and well-being are also important.

Tip: Help athletes turn mistakes and losses into learning opportunities. Remind them that no one wins every game, match, or competition and that your goal is to also help them grow as athletes and as people.

Discuss core values, expectations, and policies often. Be consistent in holding people accountable for following them.

Tip: If a star athlete violates team policies or engages in misconduct, treat them as you would any other athlete, even if it makes you less competitive.

Respond to misconduct immediately and consistently.

Tip: Address all forms of misconduct you learn about. If you address a bullying incident but ignore a hazing ritual, you send mixed messages about acceptable behavior.

Talk to athletes about positive bystander intervention. Model bystander intervention by saying or doing something when you see abusive behaviors.

Tip: If someone tells an offensive or degrading joke, tell them the joke is not funny and you do not want that type of conversation around yourself or your team.

Learn more

Visit the below pages for resources and links to help you recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse and misconduct in your organization.

TOOLKIT RESOURCES

Use these Toolkit handouts and activities to help your team or colleagues discuss principles together and put them in action in your sport setting.

HELPFUL LINKS

A broad range of organizations and community resources are just a click away to help coaches, parents, and other athlete allies support individuals in need.

Ways to Create a Positive Sport Environment