Hazing can be a difficult term to precisely define as the hazing activity may be engaged in on a voluntary basis or be seemingly “light-hearted” in nature. Typically in the high school setting, older members of the group force new members to show subservience to the veteran team members. As a result, the self-esteem of the new members is lowered because of being forced to complete humiliating acts or to endure intimidation. Hazing is an act, including physical, mental, or psychological, which subjects another person, voluntarily or involuntarily, to anything that may abuse, mistreat, degrade, humiliate, harass, or intimidate him/her, or which may, in any fashion, compromise his/her inherent dignity as a person. In most hazing incidents, student athletes are asked to violate school policies and state or federal law (i.e., use of tobacco or alcohol).

Definition of hazing from the NFHS’ Interscholastic Athletic Administration magazine (Winter, 2002):
Hazing can be defined as: any act or ceremony which creates the risk of harm to the student or to any other party and that is committed as a form of initiation into a particular club or activity. Hazing includes, but is not limited to, activities that involve the risk of physical harm, whipping, branding, ingesting vile substances, sleep deprivation, over-exposure to heat or old, restraint, nudity, or kidnapping. Hazing could also include actions or simulations of a sexual nature, activities that create a hostile, abusive, or intimidating environment for the student.