Theories of Violence in Hockey

Table of Contents

Executive Summary
Apparent Problem
Analysis
Real Problem
Alternatives
Recommendation
Reference List

Executive Summary

Violence during sports has been on the rise especially among the hockey players. Such was a case during a hockey match where a player was fined, suspended and arrested for criminal offences as a result of tackling an opponent in a violent manner leading to exchange of brawls. Among many sports experts, violence during sports is a normal occurrence and they have come up with three theories to explain the instances of violence and what leads to violence.

These theories are: psychological, biological, and social learning theories. These theories explain the reasons why players engage in violent activities during and after games although they dont offer solutions which can be found by applying strategies such as providing positive role models, integrating values oriented strategies in the curriculum, and finally supporting sportsmanship despite the results.

Apparent Problem

The problem arose during a hockey match where a defenseman of the club Anchorage Aces by the name of Dean Triboyevich cross checked an opposition player during a league game. As a result, the bench players of the opposing side who were in the bench turned violent with brawls being exchanged. Dean was penalized with their team conceding a penalty, as a result of the foul on Jacques Mailhot. Mailhot was not injured during the scuffle and in fact he went on and scored his first goal of the season.

Deans problems did not end with the penalty only; he was charged by police later for using a hockey stick as a weapon, fined and even suspended from playing other league games. Dean also faced another possible four year jail term because of the offence (Malloy, Ross, and Zakus, 2003).

To many people who have never been in a hockey match, we are informed they can view this as a crime but in contrast, according to those who have been playing or have attended hockey matches for a long time, this is a normal part of the game just as other players fight in other games such as ice skating.

The main dilemma confronting the decision maker is whether any foul which is violent in a way should be charged as a criminal offence or should it be the violence that takes place in the pitch that should be left in the pitch and as long as the sport authorities takes the necessary measures the cops should not be involved. Since the player can always claim that the foul was never intentional and it was just part of the game it thus becomes hard to solve such a problem.

Analysis

Sports are supposed to be uniting occasions; thus when sportsmen engage in violence it poses very serious social issues. Violence in sports occurs in different sports with hockey being the most hit and many analysts claim that these instances are usually perpetrated by either the coaches, spectators or even the media where it acts as a reinforcing force. Violence in sports has been covered under three theories, the biological theory which argues that when players engage in violence, it is usually an aspect of aggression and it is usually a human instinct and many view it as an acceptable way of discharging aggression (Ismat, 1989).

Psychological theory on violence during games states that aggression among many players is usually caused by frustrations where, for example, an attempt to score a certain goal is blocked. Match officials making questionable calls can also lead to frustration or instances where the players are heckled by the coach or spectators. If the players feel threatened, this will lead to frustration and violence in the end (Leonard, 1989).

The third theory is the social learning theory which maintains that the aggressive behavior seen among many players is usually learned through modeling and reinforced by rewards and punishment. Young athletes take sports heroes as role models and imitate their behavior; Parents, coaches and teammates are also models who may demonstrate support for an aggressive style of play (Ismat, 1989, par 7). From the above theories, since it is natural for human beings to react in an aggressive manner, violence during sports should be expected and thus ways of curbing it should be well established (Hellstedt, 1988).

Real Problem

The problem of violence among sportsmen during games is an issue of major concern for the reason that the main theme of games is uniting people. In order to address the problem, instances which might make the opponents frustrated or threatened should be addressed since if a player feels threatened by the crowd, he or she might vent his anger on opponents. If the problem is ever to be solved, all the stakeholders in the sports industry should ensure that decisions made by the officials, managers and coaches are genuine to avoid growth of frustration and aggression among players. The physical educators and the coaches should also lay a foundation of positive attitude towards sports and ensure that before players can play they are stress free as this can cause them to yield their frustrations on the opponents

Alternatives

Alternatives to achieving solutions in curbing the violence among players can be done through integrating values oriented intervention strategies in the learning curriculum. Teachers and the coaches and all those in charge should commit themselves in making the players learn and practice the positive aspects of the sports as this would lead to an improvement in the behavior, moral reasoning, and the perceptions of what sportsmanship should entail.

Another alternative is to provide the players with the present positive role models (people who are doing great in the sport). They can be encouraged by such players and finally, the players should be fostered in a way that there is a feeling of team ownership among the players.

Recommendation

I would recommend that those in the authority integrate value oriented intervention strategies in the learning curriculum in a bid to ensure all sportsmen who engage in sports know of the desired values and behaviors while in the playground. Early in the life of the player, he or she should be made aware on the values of a sportsman and what is required of them thus fostering positive relationships among opponents.