Violence in Sport

Discussed Topics Definition of Violence in Sport and aggression History of Violence in sport Different types of violence and aggression Causes of violence and aggression in sports (When is it most likely to occur) Different Cases of violence in sport (Brashear and McSorley, Perezhogin, Bertuzzi on Steve Moore and the incident from the Indiana Pacers) Commercialization and Fan support Sheldon Kennedy story (Sexual Assault) How to control Violence and Aggression Spectator violence Controlling Spectator violence Violence among coaches Violence in Sport: Good or Bad?

Definition : What is Violence? Any type or form of excessive behavior with the goal of injuring or harming another individual against his or her will. Any type or form of excessive behavior with the goal of injuring or harming another individual against his or her will.

History of Violence in Sport Violence is not new to sport Violence is not new to sport During the Medieval period, there were blood sports among the Greeks throughout the Roman Empire. During the Medieval period, there were blood sports among the Greeks throughout the Roman Empire. However, this type of expressed violence has decreased over time while entertainment directed violence has increased or has taken over. However, this type of expressed violence has decreased over time while entertainment directed violence has increased or has taken over.

Types of Violence in Sport Continued.. #2. Borderline Violence: #2. Borderline Violence: Practices that violate the rules of the game but are accepted by most players and coaches. Practices that violate the rules of the game but are accepted by most players and coaches. Examples: Forcefully placed elbow (basketball or soccer), Fist-fight in hockey, or a forearm to the ribs in football. Examples: Forcefully placed elbow (basketball or soccer), Fist-fight in hockey, or a forearm to the ribs in football.

Types of Violence in Sports continued… #3. Quasi-criminal violence: #3. Quasi-criminal violence: This is a more serious type of violence. This is a more serious type of violence. It violates the formal rules of the game and public laws. It violates the formal rules of the game and public laws. Examples: cheap shot, late hits, sucker punches, dangerous fouls etc… Examples: cheap shot, late hits, sucker punches, dangerous fouls etc…

Types of Violence in Sport continued… #4. Criminal Violence: #4. Criminal Violence: Worst type of violence in sport Worst type of violence in sport These are extreme actions inflicted by players that are totally against the law and can be otherwise labeled as crimes. These are extreme actions inflicted by players that are totally against the law and can be otherwise labeled as crimes. Examples: assaults during the game that are intended to seriously injure another player or assaults outside the facility. Examples: assaults during the game that are intended to seriously injure another player or assaults outside the facility.

Pictures of the criminal violence type

Causes of aggression and When is it mostly likely to occur… The three basic causes of aggression are: The three basic causes of aggression are: #1. Build up of aggression until they finally let it all out #1. Build up of aggression until they finally let it all out #2. Frustration: goal blockage or failure #2. Frustration: goal blockage or failure Example: A goalie getting scored on too many times.

Causes of aggression continued… #3. Modeling Professional Athletes #3. Modeling Professional Athletes For instance, it is said that violence in hockey is modeled by young children. They watch their heroes on television and perform these violent acts in their everyday lives For instance, it is said that violence in hockey is modeled by young children. They watch their heroes on television and perform these violent acts in their everyday lives

Other examples of causes of aggression When a player is losing When a player is losing When officiating is bad When officiating is bad Player is not feeling up to par Player is not feeling up to par Player is not performing well Player is not performing well If the player feels embarrassed If the player feels embarrassed

Different cases of violence in sport html# html# html# html# McSorley and Brashear incident McSorley and Brashear incident A case of criminal violence? We want your opinions on this issue. A case of criminal violence? We want your opinions on this issue.

Continued… Bertuzzis hit on Steve Moore Bertuzzis hit on Steve Moore htv=12&htv=12 htv=12&htv=12 htv=12&htv=12 htv=12&htv=12

Continue… Alexander Perezhogin incident Alexander Perezhogin incident = &q=montreal+ca nadiens&pl=true = &q=montreal+ca nadiens&pl=true = &q=montreal+ca nadiens&pl=true = &q=montreal+ca nadiens&pl=true

Continue… The Indiana Pacers incident The Indiana Pacers incident 10.htm 10.htm 10.htm 10.htm

Commercialization and Fan support We see in a lot of incidents where players are paid to perform violent acts. We see in a lot of incidents where players are paid to perform violent acts. Our fan support and the media are both factors that are increasing boundaries of contact sport. Our fan support and the media are both factors that are increasing boundaries of contact sport. For example, Don Cherrys Rock em Sock em videos. For example, Don Cherrys Rock em Sock em videos.

Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse can also be associated with sport related violence Sexual abuse can also be associated with sport related violence Example: The Sheldon Kennedy story Example: The Sheldon Kennedy story Sheldon Kennedy was abused by his coach Graham James between the age of 14-19(junior hockey years) Sheldon Kennedy was abused by his coach Graham James between the age of 14-19(junior hockey years) Kennedy stated that he was abused about 350 times. Kennedy stated that he was abused about 350 times. "James pleaded guilty to the offences and admitted in a statement read to the court that; 'I offer no excuses. I blame nobody but myself. I was selfish.' But he added: "I am truly sorry that this happened.'" (Calgary Herald, 1/7/97) "James pleaded guilty to the offences and admitted in a statement read to the court that; 'I offer no excuses. I blame nobody but myself. I was selfish.' But he added: "I am truly sorry that this happened.'" (Calgary Herald, 1/7/97)

Controlling Violence Very hard to control violence, Brutal body contact being the hardest part to control because it is a natural part of the sport Very hard to control violence, Brutal body contact being the hardest part to control because it is a natural part of the sport Efforts to control brutal body contact will require a change in culture Efforts to control brutal body contact will require a change in culture Much easier to control other types of violence – Bordeline, Quasi-crominal and criminal violence Much easier to control other types of violence – Bordeline, Quasi-crominal and criminal violence

Spectator Violence Spectator violence seems to be on the rise Spectator violence seems to be on the rise Fans are very much involved in the game Fans are very much involved in the game Usually fans get more hostile at contact sports Usually fans get more hostile at contact sports More likely to occur with younger disadvantaged male spactators and especially if alcohol is involved More likely to occur with younger disadvantaged male spactators and especially if alcohol is involved

Strategies to control Spectator Aggression 1. Develop a rule to ban alcohol 1. Develop a rule to ban alcohol 2. Kick spectators out if using aggressive acts or under the influence 2. Kick spectators out if using aggressive acts or under the influence Hire officials that will not tolerate any aggression Hire officials that will not tolerate any aggression Inform coaches that aggressive displays on their part will not be tolerated Inform coaches that aggressive displays on their part will not be tolerated Work with media to not promote aggressive acts in sports coverage Work with media to not promote aggressive acts in sports coverage

Violence Among Coaches Coaches in some sports often pressure or persuade their players into violent acts Coaches in some sports often pressure or persuade their players into violent acts Players are then left with a tough choice Players are then left with a tough choice

Violence in Sport Good or bad? Ongoing debate for many years Ongoing debate for many years Would players continue to play without violence? Would players continue to play without violence?

The Four Types of Violence in Sport #1. Brutal Body Contact: #1. Brutal Body Contact: Physical practices are common in sports such as: collisions, hits, body checks, tackles etc. Physical practices are common in sports such as: collisions, hits, body checks, tackles etc.