As parents and coaches, here are some things you can do to curb trash talk.

DON’T WAIT

Your youth athlete may first encounter trash talking, verbal taunting, or showboating from friends, watching professional sports, or during league/scholastic sports. No matter the circumstances, use that first instance as an opportunity for discussion. Peers often have more influence than parents or coaches on a young athlete’s behavior, but that doesn’t mean you should be silent. Be clear your athlete understands your view on trash talk and showboating, right from the beginning.

SET THE TONE

Parents, and especially coaches, can set the tone for individual players and an entire team. Athletes in youth sports will encounter verbal taunting from other players and teams, but they need to know how you expect them to respond. In the absence of guidance, kids are more likely to get flustered and upset by trash talking, or respond to verbal taunting by trash talking right back. This will be even more likely if your kids watch or listen to you initiate or participate in trash talking or verbal taunting – in any environment.