Two million youth sports coaches are volunteers. You d think it s great that so many parents are giving up their time to coach, but only a handful really know how. Many youth sports coaches are inexperienced and have no training at all. They develop macho attitudes, using phrases like Be a man, and No pain, no gain. Coaches like this turn a fun game into an intense competition often inspiring violent behavior.
Some coaches use actions that can be considered child abuse.
For example, a mother came early to pick up her son from football practice. When she asked the coach where he was, the coach told her that her son was in his car, trying to make the 98-lb. weight limit. She found her son wrapped in plastic garbage bags sitting in the car. The engine was running and the heater on high. The misbehavior of adults has a tremendous effect on children and teens.