[A qualitative study of the violence in hockey: perceptions of trainers and players]

During semistructured interviews, coaches and players have expressed their perception of violence in hockey through several game situations. The responses reveal that coaches disapprove and even sanction players receiving too many useless penalties, but occasionally congratulate them for a penalized action executed to save a goal. During matches, verbal intimidation is high and not always criticized, especially when it causes the opponent to lose concentration and take a penalty. Body checks have been identified as a main generator of frustration and lack of discipline among players. Data analysis suggests two interventions in training programmes for coaches: the development of teaching material on body checking and on individual counselling techniques to impart sportsmanship attitudes to young players.