blank wrote:
I used to make excuses for my coach when he ignored me during my races, realizing I wasn't performing well enough for his attention or energy. But after all the injuries and pain emotionally and physically I have gone through, for him to turn his back to me 2 laps into my race (consistently) is really starting to get me angry. You're a coach and I am your athlete. You should coach me regardless, especially when I am not giving up, and putting in my best effort every day. When he gives up on me, a part of me gives up on myself. Thoughts?
From the USATF Safe Sports Guidebook:
"Emotional Misconduct - Acts that Deny Attention and Support. A pattern of (a) ignoring an athlete for extended periods of time or (b) routinely or arbitrarily exclude participants from practice."
There's more in the USATF documentation discussing improper behavior by a coach. Read it and if your coach fits the description then they are not just a bad coach, they are violating rules of being a coach and should be removed. There are ethics associated with being a coach and the USATF guidelines are the authority for that in our sport.