Recognizing new members that join your team is a crucial step for team building. However, these rites-of-passage can turn into hazing if the activities involve exerting control over someone, or result in a person being humiliated, degraded, or abused.

Research indicates that coaches play a vital role in normalizing or preventing harmful practices among athletes. As a coach and leader, you are best positioned to help prevent hazing and create positive, healthy introductions for new players joining a team or organization.