AWA - Aggressive without aggression. Educating basketball coaches in teaching their players in non violent aggression.

When we watch sports, especially in Basketball, we love when players compete to their highest abilities, as players we love teammates who will never stop fighting and as coaches we want our players to be aggressive and assertive. When two teams with equal talent meet, usually the one who wants it more wins. Therefore, it is natural that players are expected to be aggressive and to try to dominate their opponent. But sometimes players, coaches and, fans overreact. They get carried away in the moment and a healthy aggressive behaviour turns into one that is toxic, violent, and unfair. There is a fine line between a competitive spirit and a dangerous behaviour. With this project called "Aggressive without Aggression" the Vasas Basketball Academy from Budapest and the FRAPORT SKYLINERS e.V. from Frankfurt want to seek out where that line is and what needs to be done and taught to never cross it. Over a duration of 18 months starting from June 2022 and under the guidance of sports psychologists a selected group of coaches and players from both participants will elaborate what causes violent behaviour, how do coaches and players, in most cases unwillingly, amplify it and if cultural or linguistic differences have an impact on our behaviour. Furthermore, coaches and players will analyse their behaviour in high-pressure situations with the help of video recordings. In addition to two live and in-person camps, one in Frankfurt and one in Budapest, four events/ workshops between coaches, players and external experts will be held to work on topics such as body language, wording and behaviour. Two of these events/workshops will be online and together with both organisations. Two events/workshops will be held on site separately with the goal to prepare for the camps. Coaches and players will develop skills to advocate non-violent aggression and be aware of violent behaviour the second it occurs to intervene swiftly. All activities will be designed to be interactive.