It's Time for Coach Debby to Teach Her Players a Lesson

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
Episode: "It's Time for Coach Debby to Teach Her Players a Lesson"
Release Date: April 16, 2025

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Introduction

In the April 16, 2025 episode of "Dr. Laura Call of the Day," hosted by Dr. Laura Schlessinger on SiriusXM Triumph 111, listeners are presented with a poignant discussion centered around bullying within high school sports teams. The episode, titled "It's Time for Coach Debby to Teach Her Players a Lesson," features a caller who is a high school volleyball coach seeking advice on handling bullying among his players.

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Caller Introduction and Issue Presentation (00:16 - 00:59)

Dr. Laura opens the episode by welcoming Coach Debby to the program. Shortly after, a high school boys' volleyball coach calls in, expressing concern over a bullying incident he discovered among his team members. He explains that two boys were bullying another teammate, making derogatory comments such as telling him "he stinks and shouldn't be on the team."

Notable Quote:

"I coach high school boys and yesterday we were coming home from one of our competitions and it came to my attention this morning that two of the boys on the bus was bullying one of the other boys."
— Volleyball Coach Caller [00:31]

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Dr. Laura’s Initial Response and Challenge (00:59 - 01:21)

Dr. Laura probes deeper into the nature of the bullying, questioning the specifics to understand the situation better. She emphasizes the importance of having male coaches who can effectively manage and discipline young male athletes.

Notable Quote:

"Coaches for boys need to be men, not women. They don't fear you."
— Dr. Laura [01:07]

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Detailed Advice on Addressing Bullying (01:21 - 05:43)

Dr. Laura provides a comprehensive strategy for Coach Debby to handle the bullying issue firmly and ethically. She advises bringing the involved players together and imposing strict consequences, such as benching the bullies for a set number of games. Her approach underscores the importance of character-building in sports, advocating for accountability and personal responsibility over mere performance.

Key Points:

• Immediate Consequences: Bench the offending players for two games to reinforce that bullying is unacceptable.

  Quote:

  "You bring the three of them in and you say to the two who did that, you can't play the next four games."
  — Dr. Laura [01:45]

• Focus on Team Unity: Emphasizes that the team's success relies on the collective effort and moral integrity of all players.

  Quote:

  "A team is not about any one player. The team is about everybody contributing."
  — Dr. Laura [02:18]

• Consistent Enforcement: Stresses the need for Dr. Laura to act forcefully and consistently, without succumbing to emotional pleas or excuses from the players or their parents.

  Quote:

  "Don't smile, don't be sweet when you do this. Be strong."
  — Dr. Laura [02:37]

• Long-Term Impact: Highlights the long-term benefits of such disciplinary actions in fostering a respectful and supportive team environment.

  Quote:

  "You have to earn it. You have to earn it."
  — Dr. Laura [05:00]

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Broader Implications and Additional Insights (05:43 - 08:05)

Dr. Laura extends the conversation beyond the immediate issue, drawing parallels with other instances of misconduct and the importance of setting firm boundaries. She references a viral video of a violent incident in a track race to illustrate the broader societal challenges in enforcing accountability among youth.

Notable Quote:

"You tell somebody how bad they are next time they have the ball, they're not going to be able to do anything with it because they're going to be so self-conscious."
— Dr. Laura [05:50]

She underscores the necessity of not tolerating abusive behavior and the role of parents and authorities in reinforcing these standards.

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Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dr. Laura wraps up the episode by reiterating the importance of strong, principled leadership in youth sports. She encourages coaches and parents to uphold ethical standards and to be unwavering in their commitment to fostering positive environments for young athletes.

Closing Quote:

"That's how it needs to be run. Forcefully, strongly, with principles, no catering to feelings, nonsense, explanations."
— Dr. Laura [05:43]

She also invites listeners to rate and share the podcast, emphasizing community engagement and the dissemination of valuable advice.

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Takeaways

• Firm Discipline: Implement immediate and consistent consequences for bullying to uphold team integrity.
• Team Unity: Foster a culture where every member contributes positively, ensuring collective success.
• Ethical Leadership: Leaders, especially male coaches for boys, should exemplify strength and accountability.
• Long-Term Character Building: Emphasize personal responsibility and ethical behavior over temporary performance gains.

This episode serves as a valuable resource for coaches, parents, and individuals involved in youth sports, highlighting effective strategies for addressing and preventing bullying while promoting a healthy and supportive team environment.

Transcript

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[Dr. Laura]

Thanks for downloading my Call of the Day podcast. You too can participate in my live radio program heard weekdays from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111. Debbie, welcome to the program.

[Volleyball Coach Caller]

Hi, Dr. Laura. Hi. I. Hello. So I am on my way. I'm a volleyball coach and I'm on my way to practice right now. I coach high school boys and yesterday we were coming home from one of our competitions and it came to my attention this morning that two of the boys on the bus was bullying one of the other boys. So.

[Dr. Laura]

And what was called bullying? What is called bullying? These are boys on a bus. What was the bullying?

[Volleyball Coach Caller]

Yeah.

[Dr. Laura]

This is why coaches for boys. I'm going to say something you're not going to like, and I'm sorry. Coaches for boys need to be men, not women. They don't fear you.

[Volleyball Coach Caller]

Well, we do have a man coach also.

[Dr. Laura]

Oh, good. So tell me how the man coach missed out that there was some shenanigans. And what were the shenanigans? Because boys kid each other.

[Volleyball Coach Caller]

They were.

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[Volleyball Coach Caller]

I mean, they're. They were making fun of him. Making. Telling him he. He stinks and shouldn't be on the team. And like, just rude.

[Dr. Laura]

The answer to that is you bring the three of them in and you say to the two who did that, you can't play the next four games. This is not just about who's the best. This is about who's the best people. Sports, especially with boys, are supposed to build character. And you're demonstrating. That is something you need to practice. So for two games, three games, whatever, pick two games. At first you have to show up or you're kicked off the team. But you will sit on the bench and you will cheer on this boy that you say stinks. That way you can help him be better. Because a team is not about any one player. The team is about everybody contributing. Everybody wins the game. Everybody loses the game. So that's it. Twice now if you want to get. And you have to. Don't smile, don't be sweet when you do this. Be strong.

[Volleyball Coach Caller]

Right? Right.

[Dr. Laura]

Good. That's what I think you ought to do. That's it. You don't listen to that. Well, he said. And she said, you go, I hear this. You're off two weeks. No playing. Don't bring your parents in to annoy me either. I would throw that in. I don't want your parents here going I want my baby boy to play. No, he acted like a little shit. Straighten him up at home, tell him you want to play. You have to earn it. You have to earn it. Skechers has come up with something wonderful. Hands free Skechers slip ins they revolutionize how you put on and take off your shoes. Just step into the Skechers slip ins and they're on. No bending, no struggling. An invisible built in shoe horn helps your foot gently slide in and their exclusive heel pillow keeps your foot secure. They're comfy, great looking with athletic and casual styles for men, women and kids. Slip ins even come in sandals perfect for the summer with features like Skechers air cooled memory foam and special fits including arch fit, relaxed fit, wide fit. Once your feet have experienced hands free Skechers slip ins they won't want to wear any other shoe. You can find [e-mail] DrLora or Skechers.com and use the promo code DrLaura Valid for 20% off site wide Standard Exclusion Supply Valid March 5, 2025 through May 30, 2025. D.O.

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[Dr. Laura]

Now, guys in general of all ages do this crap to each other. But there's a line. And if there's no laughing and going back and forth, then a line has been crossed. Because that's not how a team can function. Because you tell somebody how bad they are next time they have the ball, they're not going to be able to do anything with it because they're going to be so self conscious. That's it. Those two boys don't play for two games, but they show up. And if they don't show up, they're off the team. That's it. That's how it needs to be run. Forcefully, strongly, with principles, no catering to feelings, nonsense, explanations. You all see that video where those girls are racing track? I've watched that video a number of times and they have video from different aspects. One girl has the baton. You know, they pass the baton and three times she whacks this girl on the head, cracked her skull. And they show her on TV her hair all nice, you know, tears in her face with her mommy or daddy or whoever the hell was there. I don't remember saying, I didn't mean to do that. Just in running, your hand goes up and comes down. No, you had to see how high it came up. You don't raise your hand that high when you're running. And that's when I thought, I hope the other family has not been intimidated. I hope the other family will ask for criminal charges. I doubt it'll happen. Why? My number 1-800-375-2872. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.

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