quote:
Anger is always a reaction to fear.
Would that it were so. Sometimes, you just have someone who is malevolent to their core. And the only way to handle that guy is to get him as far away as possible, off the team if necessary (in this context).
The key thing is not to get baited into fighting or any other situation where you get yourself compromised. I'm not suggesting you be a wimp or anything, but why let this guy knock you out of what you have earned for yourself? You need to find another way to address things BEFORE you get so far down the road that you find yourself reacting impulsively to the provocation of the moment.
The bully will no doubt accuse you of "crying to the coaches" or some such BS, but you have no reason to care what he says. Lance the boil and let him deal with the mess he's made for himself.