Aggression in hockey, comparisons of displayed aggression, coaches' and teams' perceptions of aggressions

by Loughead, Todd M.

Aggression in hockey: Comparisons of displayed aggression, coaches' and teams' perceptions of aggressions. Master of Science, 1999. Todd M. Loughead, Graduate Department of Community Health, University of Toronto. The purpose of this study was to examine minor hockey league coaches' and teams' perceptions of aggression and the recorded aggressive behaviour of those teams. Teams and coaches completed modified versions of the Bredemeier Athletic Aggression Inventory-Short Form (BAAGI-S). Game report sheets were used to determine recorded aggression levels. The Atom level were more approving of instrumental aggression, while the Peeweemantam group favoured the use of hostile aggression and received more hostile aggression penalties on the ice. Regardless of the Ievel of play, coaches displayed similar levels of aggression for both instrumental and hostile categories. Teamst views were unrelated to coachest attitudes on aggression. Coaches found instrumental aggression to be more acceptable than hostile aggression. Although teams also viewed instrumental aggression as more acceptable, their behaviour on the ice indicated otherwise by receiving more hostile-type penalties. Overall, the findings suggest that aggression continues to play a role in hockey.