Coaching Boys Into Men
Help young athletes build healthy relationships and lead with respect. Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) equips high school coaches to teach male athletes skills to recognize harmful behavior, support one another, and help prevent relationship abuse.
Features
Age Level
High school male athletes
Duration
2-hour coach training, followed by 12 weekly, 15-minute team discussions
Instruction
Coach-led, interactive
About the Lesson
Coaching Boys Into Men (CBIM) is an evidence-based violence prevention program developed by Futures Without Violence. Through brief, consistent conversations during the sports season, coaches help young male athletes practice respect, understand consent, and build healthy relationship skills.
The program draws on the trust between coaches and athletes to make prevention education part of everyday team life. Athletes learn how their words and actions affect others and how to respond when they witness disrespectful or abusive behavior.
Building Respect On and Off the Field
Guided discussions address personal responsibility, mental health, harmful language, respect for women and girls, digital behavior, and consent. Athletes also explore sexual reputation, anger and aggression, relationship abuse, conflict resolution, and communication before making a commitment to respect.
These conversations help young people connect the values they practice as teammates with the relationships they build beyond sports.
How the Program Works
Coaches begin with a two-hour Coaches Clinic led by a trained community prevention advocate. They then use the CBIM Training Cards to guide 12 weekly discussions, each lasting approximately 15 minutes.
Throughout the season, coaches stay connected with their community advocate for guidance and support. This partnership helps coaches navigate sensitive topics and create an environment where athletes can talk openly without judgment.
Why We Love It
- Builds on trusted relationships. Gives coaches practical tools to model respect and guide meaningful conversations.
- Fits into the sports season. Short, weekly discussions make prevention education part of the team’s routine.
- Encourages athletes to take action. Helps young people speak up when they witness harmful behavior.
- Supports the whole athlete. Connects mental health, communication, and healthy relationships with personal growth.
- Extends beyond the field. Helps athletes carry respect and positive leadership into their schools and communities.
Bring Coaching Boys Into Men to your school.
Carly Morris
Community Prevention Education Supervisor
