Notes: Violence and

Form 5

Term 2

What is Violence?

Violence is the use of excessive physical force which causes or has the potential to cause harm or destruction (Coakley, 2004).

What is Aggression?

Aggression is any behaviour that aims to dominate, control or harm another individual through physical actions that are hostile, destructive and/or violent.

What is Intimidation?

Intimidation is the use of words, gestures and actions that threaten the fear of injury or harm through acts of violence or aggression.

Reactive and Intentional Violence

Reactive Violence

This is an instantaneous violent act brought about as a result of an accident or intentional act of violence by an opponent. It is commonly found in contact sports.

Intentional Violence

This is a deliberate act of violence against an opponent that is planned and calculated. In a game of football, for example, a member of the opposing team may be targeted for acts of violence.

Trash Talk

Trash talk is the practice of boasting and insulting one’s foes on and off the field. This is done in an attempt to intimidate other players by getting into their heads. Sports psychologists sometimes feel that athletes are putting time and energy into something that distracts them from playing at their best, when playing well is the most intimidating factor.

Types of Violent Behaviour in Sports

Brutal Body Contact

This type of aggressive behaviour is an expected part of the game by team members, coaches and officials. Examples of brutal body contact include collision with opposing players, body checks (ice-) and sliding tackles (football). Some sports glorify brutal body contact. These sports include , and .

Borderline Violence

These are violent practices that breach the official rules of the games but are considered as normal and accepted as a legitimate part of the game by players and fans. It is frequently used as a strategy in competitive sports. Examples include elbowing a player in basketball and an intentional in football. Such violence is usually penalised by officials (referees and umpires).

Quasi Violence

These are violent acts that contravene the formal rules of the and acceptable behaviours by players. They also violate public laws. Late challenges in football, elbow hits to the head and eye gouging are all examples of quasi violence. These acts can endanger the safety of the players. Athletes who perform these acts are severely penalised, through suspension and payment of fines.

Criminal Violence

These violent acts go beyond the laws of society. They are extremely violent and can result in severely disabling an athlete or even death. They are so dangerous that athletes have no problem in condemning them without question. They are crimes that can be prosecuted by law. Examples of these can be found in .

Media and

Power and performance sports, where winning is the ultimate goal, have promoted the attitude of aggression, violence, hostility, hate and revenge. Examples of these can be found in wrestling, the weighing-in ceremony of boxers as well as in interviews of some athletes.

Some media houses, in their promotion of sporting events, edit their videos to the extent that they glorify violence in sports. They use close-up pictures and slow-motion to showcase violent acts, including collisions among athletes, painful facial expressions, the sound of body crashes and the cries of pain. They know that violence sells and that brutal body contact is what fans want to see.

Violence and Masculinity

Males cherish the thought of being considered as manly by peers, coaches and fans. To achieve this status, many are willing to engage in violent acts to prove their masculinity. Having the ability to withstand physical acts of brutal body contact, borderline violence and also produce such acts unto an opponent is sometimes viewed as a hallmark for proving one’s masculinity. Also, such acts will disprove of a male individual being considered a “fag”, “wimp” or “wuss”. Acts of violence can also endorse an athlete’s position in a team or within a group. Causes of Spectator Violence

Spectator violence may occur when one or more of the following are present:

 Alcohol is present- especially when it is consumed in large quantities.  Types of events- some sports are more likely to incite violence.  Performance quality- fans may react due to a disappointing performance by their team.  The meaning and importance of the event- imagine having your worst performance in a final.  There is the belief that the officials are cheating.  Historical rivalries between the teams and spectators.  High racial and ethnic tensions  Celebration of achievement  Crowd size and the standing or seating arrangements

Please answer the following questions:

1) Define violence, aggression and intimidation. Give an example of each case. 2) Explain the following terms: - Reactive violence - Intentional violence 3) What constitutes criminal violence in sports? Give examples to support your answer. 4) Explain the difference between borderline violence and brutal body contact in sports. 5) Identify and explain some of the causes of spectator violence. 6) Explain the relationship between violence and masculinity in sports. 7) Give examples of situations that can lead to on-field violence between teams. 8) What is thrash-talk and how can this lead to violence?