Sports bullying a problem for many young athletes

Bullying has become a major problem for kids of all ages both on and off of the playing fields.

Active.com reports that a recent survey of 22,000 high school students found that 48 percent had been targets of hazing, a type of bullying meant to humiliate someone or force him or her to take part in a dangerous activity.

The website reports that bullying can cause young athletes to "lose focus, play or perform tentatively, feel anxious, drop out of tournaments or competitions, or quit sports altogether."

While parents can help ensure their kids stay physically safe by purchasing the required new or used sports equipment, they often feel helpless when it comes to protecting their children against the effects of bullies on their team or opposing teams.

Experts say that both parents and coaches are crucial to preventing and stopping sports bullying.

Coaches should ensure their players understand that bullying of any kind will not be tolerated and that players should feel comfortable bringing incidences of bullying to his or her attention.

Parents can partner with coaches to create a positive environment for all team activities. They can also help their own children learn to spot bullying and help to stop it.

In addition, the parent of a child that is the target of bullies can help him or her come up with responses and actions to end the negative behavior.

For instance, psychologist Dr. Carl Pickhardt recommends via Active.com that parents encourage bullied athletes to respond with confidence, as bullies often back off when their targets "fight" back.