Quiz the Coach - I Hate Hazing!

So ya dig sports but need some help with your game? Don't understand some of the rules of football, basketball or hockey? Got a gripe about P.E. class, skateboarders, cheerleading, coaches, or anything? Why not ?

Hey Coach,
I want to play football for the freshman team, but I have heard stories about all the hazing and how terrible it is. I don't want to do it, I just wanna play. Am I being a wimp?
drowens44

drowens44,
Hazing is a very controversial topic and there's a lot of room for debate. I'm a little torn on the subject as well. On the one hand, a little hazing can be fun and a good way to bond with your teammates. It is also a ritual or tradition at many schools, so if every class had to be subjected to a little initiation, then why shouldn't you? But on the other hand, hazing has emotionally scarred a lot of people. Some school's take it to the extreme - a lot of athletes have been physically hurt because of some of the things they were forced to do. In fact, a lot of schools have banned such practices from occurring.

So my advice to you? Try to find out what it is they make you do. If it's fun, innocent stuff like singing in the cafeteria or carrying your older teammates' books then yeah, you are being a wimp if you think that's too harsh. But if it's anything demeaning at all, such as drinking, doing something while you're naked or something that can cause you bodily harm, refuse to do it. If that kind of stuff is going on, make sure to tell your coach and your parents. If it costs you playing football, then who cares? I would much rather have my dignity and my health than play on a football team that would subject it's members to such abuse.

Do you need tips or advice on sports, fitness or health? to the Kidzworld Coach. Keep in mind peeps, the Kidzworld Coach isn't a doctor or a professional athlete or anything like that. He's just a dude who digs sports, plays 'em and knows a lot about 'em. You should always talk to your 'rents, a doctor or your school gym teacher before starting a new sport or a new exercise.

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