Coaches using Profanity on the field

[PLAYBALL]

Just a question, is it ever acceptable for a coach to drop the "F-bomb" on the field in front of a group of 9-10 year olds? Should there be consequences for the coach or should it be overlooked? Also, should the organization's president be notified? Been around travel ball for quite a few years and have seen my fair share of hot headed coaches. Should not be happening at the 10u level IMO. These girls should be having fun and learning the game, not worrying about the craziness of a coach.

 

[wow]

Agree at 10U not appropriate. Talk to the coach and tell him how you feel. If he continues or does not take responsibility, let the Org director know. There is nothing a 10U kid is gonna learn with vulgarities spewed at them. Passion yes, potty mouth no.

 

[coachjwb]

It should not be happening at any level in coaching youth ball in my opinion. Agree with wow that you should talk to the coach first. I'd be more concerned if this is a pattern or if the coach isn't embarrassed or apologetic in your discussion with them.

 

[MD 20/20]

While I agree that no coach needs to use that word with their team, I have heard coaches speak to their teams/players a whole lot worse and never use a curse word. I wouldn't say anything to anyone. My yard is not perfectly clean, why am I worried about their yard. While wrong, I think we stick our nose in others business too often. Either the parents don't like it and won't return or they don't care how their children are treated. Who am I to police the coaching community? Like I said, I'm certainly not perfect. Ask Eddie from the Wolfpack!!LOL

 

[Hilliarddad3]

My dad was a sailor and truck driver , so I am guilty as anyone, but yes a time and place and age appropriate. Now directed at one at any age not appropriate, Mine used to laugh with all the ones they'd hear strung together by some coaches.....

 

[yossarian]

If you think a behavior or action by someone is out of line and damaging to your child in some way, why wouldn't you say something? But, the right thing to do is talk to the guy directly first before going above his head.

 

[sedgwick17]

My 12U daughter heard a coach tell there catcher to get her lazy a$$ up and get a passed ball at a tournament this weekend. Mind you it was 85+ degrees out, she had all that catchers equipment on and was trying her best. But it was not good enough for him I guess. It was loud enough the umpire heard it and warned the coach and told him that was not called for.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Good for the ump!

 

[daboss]

When you wear the hat it comes with responsibility. You take on the roll of a mentor and that decision should not be made lightly. If you can't set the example than stay out of the uniform. Don't try to separate the responsibilities and try to justify them. I know many will not agree with me but I know what I know and if you influence even 1 of your girls that this behavior is acceptable you are doing the coaching profession an injustice.

Look, I'm a grown man. I get it. People cuss even myself but not in front of people I'm not comfortable with or children---------especially other's children. Have some respct for the families that are supporting you and show some class. Learn how to communicate without the cuss words and everyone around you will respect you just a little more. Again, it comes with the hat. don't take the responsibility lightly. You may be teaching life lessons to our next president.

 

[Shane]

I have been in the 8U and 10U world, coaching, for about 3 years now. I can not think of any situation where the use of profanity would have been anything other than degrading. Nothing I would want to have included in the my 'coaching toolbox'.

 

[wow]

When you wear the hat it comes with responsibility. You take on the roll of a mentor and that decision should not be made lightly. If you can't set the example Learn how to communicate without the cuss words and everyone around you will respect you just a little more. .

Daboss well said!- Coaches wont get any more of a message across with a tapestry of obscenities.

 

[JoeA1010]

Just a question, is it ever acceptable for a coach to drop the "F-bomb" on the field in front of a group of 9-10 year olds?

I know this is a serious post and topic, so I'm not making light of it, but I find myself laughing when thinking about the possibility of someone coming on here and saying, "Yes, here is a situation when it's appropriate to drop the F-bomb on the field in a 10-U game."

 

[wvanalmsick]

Short story.....Stingray tournament 5 years ago. All coaches were warned in the instructions and by the umpires that no cussing on the field will be tolerated and would result in an ejection. A 16U elimination bracket game after the coaches meeting with the ump. Plate umpire is standing beside the head coach from an out-of country team when an errant throw by the infielders warming-up came whizzing by the coach's head. The coach drops the f-bomb. The umpire looks at the coach in disbelief and then ejects him. The coach throws a tizzy, umpire has none of it and tells him to leave. That coach then proceeds to come to the concession stand to find the TD and voice his displeasure but first runs into a coach from SW Ohio, a friend of mine, who was known by all to have quite a few melt-downs on the field and cuss. I hear this SW Ohio coach tell the other coach "You can't cuss like that in this tournament, they'll throw your butt outta here." I just about fell out of my chair laughing. Love ya Rob.

 

[yossarian]

Daboss well said!- Coaches wont get any more of a message across with a tapestry of obscenities.

A Christmas Story reference. Nice!

 

[The3dm]

I spent 9 years in the USN and developed quite a vocabulary (mouth like a sailor), but that was simply how we communicated (too much testosterone).

With that being said, I never thought once of using that profanity in all the years I coached. It wasn't simply that it was totally inappropriate, it was that I had too much respect for my players, parents, organization and myself. How can you expect anyone to take you seriously if you cannot express yourself (even when upset) in a articulate manner. Mind you, it's not that those words weren't swirling around my head. I just never let them make to my mouth.

 

[wow]

A Christmas Story reference. Nice!

Ha you got it!!!!! Yes sir...

Classic movie!

 

[PLAYBALL]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their input. I understand the game can get a little heated at times and crazy things can happen. I didn't want to come on here and bash a coach or organization but instead wanted to see how others felt about this type of behavior. I guess if you're around sports long enough you should expect this type of language to happen every now and again. The situation I was initially talking about involved what one coach thought was a bad call and carried into the dugout with the "F-bomb." The head coach has since handled it and all is good.

With that said I have received several private messages from a member on here that uses the name Liberal Lion. I'm not quite sure what this persons intentions were. The first message I received from this member asked me if the situation I was referencing took place at the Laser Nation tournament. This member said he/she witnessed and heard something similar from across the field. The second message I received from Liberal Lion stated that he/she had received more details and that the profanity was not directed at any of the players. Liberal Lion went on to say the profanity was meant for a meddling parent and none of the kids heard anything. The moral of the story from what I can gather from Liberal Lion is, I guess it is ok to drop the F-bomb as long as it isn't directed at a player.

 

[yossarian]

Ha you got it!!!!! Yes sir...

Classic movie!

Maybe your reference is better suited for the rant going on in the coach's poll thread. Maybe there should be a major award for the team who most consistently gets voted at the top:

 

[FastBat]

Agree...passion yes, potty mouth no. It's never ok to use this kind of language around children, coaches should be the best role models for all players including opposing team and their team, it comes with the territory.

 

[CARDS]

My feeling is it is unacceptable at any age male or female sports to cuss at players. A youth or young adult coach can have a lifetime positive or negative impact on a player with their demeanor and choice of words.

Coaches that feel they need to use profanity to motivate or emphasize a point generally come from a background where this practice was acceptable. They played under coaches where using colorful metaphors was used regularly or come from homes where profanity was a normal part of the day. I have been on some teams as a player where teammates and coaches seemed to drop the F bomb with every sentence and it did not motivate me to play any harder. Most coaches who practice this behavior do not understand or have the ability to find sentence enhancing or motivational words to change their behavior.

I know a lot of GREAT coaches that did not have to use profanity to lead. My DD played three years of little CARD football under Bill Hawkins. He has since passed away but he was a very successful coach that respected his players and coaches. Coach Hawk had years of developing many fine players for our HS programs. Some players lost their way while on the journey to college but the vast majority are individuals that respect others and have a clear vision of what they want and how they plan to impact the world. My DD still quotes Coach Hawk as she helps coach the HS Softball team and has his picture sitting with all of her trophies, ribbons, medals etc from her youth sport days. That is a coach that had a positive impact on a player...