Stop YouthBullyingin Sports
Every child deserves to play in an environment where they feel safe, respected, and valued. Bullying in youth sports is not a rite of passage — it is a failure of leadership. Coach Winn has spent over 40 years building cultures where athletes thrive.
"In 44 years of coaching and youth sports administration, I have seen what bullying does to a young person's love of the game — and their belief in themselves. It doesn't just hurt in the moment. It follows them. The good news is that coaches, parents, and administrators have more power to stop it than they realize. This resource exists because every child deserves a coach who sees them, protects them, and believes in them."
I don't do questionnaires. I show up. I meet coaches, parents, and kids in person and I listen firsthand to what they're actually experiencing. Across 10 years of showing up to municipal leagues, school districts, AAU programs, and high school associations, bullying was the most consistently reported challenge. Coaches told me they didn't know how to intervene without making it worse. Parents told me they feared speaking up because they worried their kid would pay for it. Athletes told me they stayed silent because they didn't think anyone would believe them.
This wing was built from what I saw and heard firsthand — not from a survey, not from an assumption.
Find Your Path
Stopping bullying requires everyone in the youth sports ecosystem to play their role. Select your role for targeted guidance, tools, and resources.
Coaches
Recognize the signs, intervene effectively, and build a culture where every athlete feels safe and valued.
Parents
Know what to watch for, how to talk to your child, and when and how to involve the coach or school.
Athletes
You deserve to play in a safe environment. Learn what bullying looks like, how to speak up, and how to support teammates.
Administrators
Build organization-wide policies, reporting systems, and training programs that make zero tolerance real — not just a slogan.
The 4 S's of Bullying Prevention
A simple, memorable framework for every adult in youth sports to act on.
See It
Most bullying in sports happens in plain sight — in locker rooms, on the bench, during drills. Train yourself to recognize it.
Say It
Silence is permission. When you witness bullying and say nothing, you have chosen a side. Choose the right one.
Stop It
Intervene immediately, privately address the bully, and follow up with the target. Document everything.
Support It
Create a culture of belonging — team rituals, inclusion practices, and clear expectations that make bullying socially unacceptable.
Warning Signs to Watch For
An athlete may be experiencing bullying if you notice:
Athlete becomes withdrawn or reluctant to attend practice
Unexplained injuries or damaged equipment
Changes in mood, sleep, or appetite after games/practice
Sudden drop in performance without clear cause
Avoids certain teammates or refuses to ride in carpool
Talks negatively about themselves or their abilities
Quits the team without a clear reason
Go Deeper in the Academy
The Youth Sports Toolkit Academy includes dedicated chapters on Boundaries, Protective Gear, Safety Glasses, and the STOP Campaign — all directly relevant to bullying prevention.