USA Table Tennis holds a firm policy that there shall be no emotional abuse of any minor involved in
USA Table Tennis by any employee, volunteer, coach, member or other participant.
Emotional abuse is defined as a pattern of non-contact behavior towards any participant that results
in or is designed to result in psychological or emotional harm towards any USA Table Tennis
participant inclusive of members, coaches, players, volunteers, employees or directors.
This pattern of behaviors may include for example, verbal attacks (such as name calling, degrading
comments to them or about them or shouting at an individual in a manner that provides no
motivational or other genuine playing reasoning). It may also consist of physical aggressive behavior
short of physical abuse (e.g. punching walls or throwing sports equipment) that is designed to
intimidate the individual.
Age appropriate coaching methods is not considered emotional abuse.
It is noted that those who are in violation of USA Table Tennis’s policy on Bullying, Threats and
Harassment may or may not also be in violation of USA Table Tennis’s emotional abuse policy.
Upon proof of violation of USA Table Tennis’s Emotional Abuse policy, the offender will be subject to
appropriate disciplinary action. Normally this action will be permanent exclusion from USA Table
Tennis and referral to law enforcement authorities.