ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the health-compromising behaviours that typically occur off the playing field, specifically alcohol consumption, marijuana use, hazing, and gambling. It aims to frame these issues within the power and performance model of sport, with particular attention to athletic identity and social norms. Coaches play an important role in creating team climates that are conducive to the optimal development of their athletes and have a duty to care toward the health and well-being of their athletes. From the power and performance model of sport, athletic identity and social norms emerge as critical concepts impacting engagement in health-compromising behaviours. Social norms theory has two major principles. First, is that many individuals overestimate the degree of health-compromising behaviours of their peers. Second is the belief that many athletes on the team support the health-compromising behaviour. The spectre of health-compromising behaviours will likely remain at all levels of athletics, including collegiate and professional athletes.
