1. They make you feel bad about yourself. Your coach should be someone who makes you feel good about yourself, not someone who puts you down all the time. If your coach is always making negative comments about your playing or how you look, that’s a sign of abuse.
2. They force you to do things you don’t want to do. If your coach is making you do things you’re not comfortable with, that’s a sign of abuse. Forcing you to play in tournaments you don’t want to play in, or practice for hours on end when you’re injured, are both examples of this.
3. They put their own needs above yours. A good coach will always put your needs first, but an abusive coach will only care about their own needs. If your coach is always making decisions that benefit them and not you, that’s a sign of abuse.
4. They try to control every aspect of your life. An abusive coach will try to control every aspect of your life, both on and off the court. If they’re always telling you what to do, who to talk to, and where to go, that’s a sign of abuse.
5. They use fear as a way to control you. An abusive coach may use fear as a way to control you. This can include making threats, such as threatening to bench you or kick you off the team, if you don’t do what they say.
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If you’re noticing any of these signs in your coach, it’s possible that they’re abusive. If you’re uncomfortable or feel like you’re being mistreated, it’s important to reach out to someone you trust for help.
what is emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is defined as any behavior that is intended to control, manipulate, humiliate, or scare someone. Emotional abuse can be verbal, nonverbal, or physical.
Examples of emotional abuse
1. Name-calling or put-downs
2. criticising or mocking
3. threatening or intimidating
4. controlling or manipulating
5. making someone feel guilty or responsible for the abuser’s actions
6. isolation or emotional blackmail
7. Gaslighting or other forms of psychological manipulation
8. Constant monitoring or checking up on someone
9. Withholding affection or love as a way to control someone
10. Using children, pets, or other people to threaten, intimidate, or control someone
If you’re experiencing any of these forms of emotional abuse from your coach, it’s important to reach out for help. Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse, and you deserve to be treated with respect.
