Physical force is not the only type of force. Psychological force is also force.
Threatening to hit someone is just as much a crime as actually hitting them. This is why "assault and battery" are two different crimes, even though a lot of people think they are one. Assault is the threat, and battery is the physical action. (Different terminology might be used in some jurisdictions, but the concepts are the same.)
The legal definition of Coercion is:
The intimidation of a victim to compel the individual to do some act against his or her will by the use of psychological pressure, physical force, or threats.
Physical force is not the only type of force. Psychological force is also force.
Threatening to hit someone is just as much a crime as actually hitting them. This is why "assault and battery" are two different crimes, even though a lot of people think they are one. Assault is the threat, and battery is the physical action. (Different terminology might be used in some jurisdictions, but the concepts are the same.)
The legal definition of Coersion is:
The intimidation of a victim to compel the individual to do some act against his or her will by the use of psychological pressure, physical force, or threats.