Group work: Deviance by Kerrin Ford

kerrin_ford — 2026-05-26 21:27:10 UTC

E.g. A player hides concussion symptoms so they can stay on the field.
How would we identify it? Teammates notice confusion, dizziness, headache, slowed responses, or the player avoids medical staff.
Who should intervene? Coach, trainer/medical staff, teammates, officials.
What strategy could help? Clear concussion protocols, no penalty for self-reporting symptoms, and a team norm that values long-term health over “toughing it out”.

Negative deviance

2026-05-27 00:09:27 UTC

Deliberately tripping a player, negative behaviour that is intended on causing harm and unethical. As, there are many potential implications for not only the individual that is the victim but also the instigator.

Typically any negative behviours that goes against the ethics and rules are considered to be negative deviant examples. Thus, resulting in implications from the governing body, e.g. fouls, suspenisions etc.

2026-05-27 00:10:33 UTC

Example: Umpire abuse

How to identify: Players, coaches and spectators who are being verbally abusive (like swearing or yelling)

Who should intervene: Other players, coaches or spectators to try and get them to stop

What strategy could help: rules and regulations that result in some form of punishment when it happens

Spectator Abuse

2026-05-27 00:11:28 UTC

Identified by harmful or derogatory language towards a certain player or players. Could be racist, homophobic or sexist, or could be generally slurs towards them. Surrounding spectators should intervene and stop the abuse, rather than focusing on the negative of the opposing team, why not focus on positives from their own team. By taking away the focus on opposition team, they can help uplift their own team.

Negative deviance in sport refers to behaviour that goes against the rules, ethics, or values of sport in a harmful way. These behaviours can damage fairness, safety, and respect within competition. An example is doping, where athletes use banned performance-enhancing drugs to gain an unfair advantage.

2026-05-27 00:12:41 UTC

Player intentionally harms other teams best player in order to win.

2026-05-27 00:15:00 UTC

Goes outside the social expectations and what is considered normal in the sport. Could also be argued as positive deviance, as players are encouraged to "do whatever it takes to win" but in most settings its never expected or within the rules the intentionally injure an opponent.

who should intervene?

- In this case if someone intervenes and starts a fight trying to harm the player back, it doesn't help the situation and it becomes a bigger issue.

which strategy could help?

once the incident already happens theres not much you can do outside of punishment. Suspending the player that harmed them or applying a penalty in game.

To prevent this incident before it happens, players should be informed and encouraged on sportsmanship and what is considered a noble win. Thinking if winning against an injured team is as rewarding as winning against a complete team.

2026-05-27 00:15:50 UTC

A player attempts to play through injury so they can keep playing.

This can be identified by observing the athlete and whether there playing differently than they usually do or if they are moving differently.

coaches or medical staff should interviene.

Strategys that could help are self reporting , potential fitness tests pre game to see if anyone is injured.

striking another player

2026-05-27 00:16:59 UTC

how would we identify it?

players that are in a physical fight that may escalate and end up deliberately striking another.

who should intervene? if umpires see a player strike another player, umpires should intervene and break up the fight immediately.

what strategy could help: harsher sanctions could apply to players who strike. e.g 4 weeks suspension

2026-05-27 00:17:21 UTC

Player continues to play through injury in an important match.

How to identify it?

- Player not playing at full potential

- Avoiding medical attention

Who should intervene?

- Coach

- Trainer

- Teammates

What strategy could help?

- Team support behind player not playing regardless if they are needed the most

- Tests