Cancer on the Team
Identifying, Addressing, and Curing Toxic Behaviour 

As a coach, nothing is more challenging than dealing with a player whose attitude or behaviour negatively impacts the rest of the team—a problem often referred to as a "cancer." While it can be tempting to simply cut these athletes from the team, a more rewarding and educational path is to try to "cure" the cancer by addressing the behaviour and helping the athlete grow. Since the Covid pandemic there has been an increasing focus on mental health, inclusivity, and holistic development. Curing the “cancer” is not only possible but necessary in today’s sport environment.

The Role of Coaches: Teachers, Not Judges

Coaches wear many hats—they are not just strategists, but also teachers, mentors, and role models. Our role is to teach young athletes how to change and improve. By exceling at a sport, the young athlete’s self-image will change – leading to increased confidence. For coaches to guide athletes effectively on this journey they cannot judge or condemn athletes as they experience the struggles of a competitive environment. It is easy to throw in the towel and remove a problem player from the team, but a key part of coaching is helping athletes develop as people, learning from their mistakes, and guiding them toward better behaviour.

Steps to Address and Cure Negative Behaviour

If you’re ready to take on the challenge of helping a troubled athlete, follow these steps:

1. Initiate a Private, Honest Conversation

First, approach the player privately. Never surprise them with public ultimatums or emotional outbursts, as this will only escalate the issue. Instead, share your observations. Let them know how their behavior is being perceived by teammates, parents, or even spectators.

We strongly recommend every coach adhere to the “Rule of Two” and include an assistant coach or parent volunteer in these discussions. Young athletes may misinterpret what was said or misread tone and body language in a way that was not intentional. A second adult can ensure that the conversation is supportive and non-confrontational. And quite frankly, it will serve to protect the coach against claims by the athlete should things go wrong.
 

Focus on the behaviour, not the person—make it clear that they’re not a "bad player," but that certain actions are hurting the team. Be firm, but express that your goal is to keep them on the team and help them improve. For example, say, "I’m concerned about your behavior, and this conversation is my way of preventing a situation where I might have to take more drastic action. Let’s work on this together."

2. Outline the Necessary Changes

Once the problem has been discussed, provide clear, actionable steps to address it. Write down two or three specific behaviors that need to change, and make sure the athlete understands what’s expected. These should be non-negotiable behaviors that you’ve noticed over time.

Tell the player, “You’re a valuable part of the team, but these changes are essential for our success.” Empower the athlete by reminding them of their potential and your belief in their ability to improve.

While it might be tempting to involve parents, try to solve the problem directly with the player first. Involving parents too early can complicate the situation. They might become defensive, or worse, add pressure to the player by handling it harshly. Allow the athlete to take responsibility for their behavior and give them the chance to earn your trust by making the necessary changes themselves.

4. Expect a Range of Reactions

Be prepared for various responses—some athletes may be stunned, some might be defensive, and others may even cry. Support them through their reaction but stand firm in your expectations. Remind them, “I’m here to help you, not criticize you. This is about helping you grow as an athlete and teammate.”

Rarely will a difficult conversation go perfectly, so patience is key. Just ensure that the player knows your intention is to help them, not to condemn them.

Once the conversation has happened, your work is far from over. Actively monitor the player’s progress and reinforce their efforts when you see improvement. Praise positive behaviors as soon as you notice them, and gently correct any relapses by reminding the player of the goals you set.

For example, if you see a player rolling their eyes or raising their voice, quickly and calmly intervene: “Remember, we talked about avoiding that behavior for the good of the team. Let’s work on that.”

6. Address the Lack of Improvement, if Necessary

If after a week or so you’re still not seeing enough progress, it’s time for another conversation. This follow-up discussion should involve a review of what you’ve both observed. Ask the athlete how they feel about their progress and whether they think they’re making the necessary changes. If they are struggling, offer more support. If they’re not willing to try, consider whether more serious consequences are necessary.

At this point, if the behaviour persists, you may need to involve the parents or administration. You can also consider giving the player a "time-out" from the team to reflect, ensuring they stay active with conditioning during that time. This gives them a chance to return refreshed and more committed to change.

7. When All Else Fails

If all efforts to fix the problem fail, and the player's attitude is still detrimental to the team, you may be faced with the difficult decision of removing the player from the team. However, this should always be a last resort. Communicate with the parents and school administrators before taking action and document all steps taken to try and resolve the issue.

You may try suspending the player for a period of time, say a week, and ask to meet with the athlete and his/her parents before allowing the athlete to return to the team. This meeting should give you a clear indication of whether the athlete is committed to improving their behaviour or not.

Today, more than ever, coaching young athletes goes beyond developing their volleyball skills—it’s about developing their character. Athletes may come to you with behaviors that aren’t conducive to team success, but by patiently guiding them through these challenges, you have the opportunity to not only make them better players but better people.

Coaching isn’t just about winning games—it’s about nurturing growth and helping athletes learn how to face adversity and improve. And while it can be difficult, never give up on a kid—you might be the person who changes their life.

Coach Luc Tremblay is the Founder and Head Coach of Volleyball Winnipeg. Luc has been coaching volleyball for 30+ years with athletes of all age classes and all abilities. He has developed most of the training techniques used by VISION coaches and is responsible for the coach development program at Volleyball Winnipeg. For more details on our Coach Resources, click here.
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