Coaches' Legal Issues & Safety Responsibilities

COACHES' LEGAL ISSUES & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES

Safety Responsibilities

General Policy: The effectiveness of safety and accident prevention relies on the sincerity of purpose of the coaches and leaders of an organization.

Responsibility: The responsibility for a sound safety and accident prevention program rests with everyone in the organization.

Specific Safety Issues: The coach should remember he/she always has the final say in whether or not a facility is safe for his/her players, even if this may initially require him/her to forfeit a game.

Develop a plan to effectively deal with emergencies should they arise.
After an injury, do not return an athlete to participation until they are truly ready.
Allocate sufficient time before practice to check the facilities for unsafe conditions and all playing equipment for defects.
Develop a plan for every practice and inform assistants of what their duties are during practice. The lesson plan should include:
1. Loosening-up drills at the beginning of practices and games.
2. Pairing players by similar skills.
3. Teach fundamentals in a progression.
4. Provide as many repetitions of basic skills as possible.
5. Minimize listening and lecture time.
6. Keep players active.
7. Use positive reinforcement generously.
8. Be patient, persistent, flexible and maintain a sense of humor.
Take action to ensure unsafe practices are corrected during practice.
Ensure that an emergency first aid kit is readily available.
Ensure that the parents of each player complete an "Authorization for Emergency Treatment" form and ensure that the form is immediately available at each practice or game.
Make plans to have adequate supplies of water or other fluids available.
Inspect field/facilities before every practice/game to eliminate/correct dangerous situations.
Make sure each assistant coach knows his or her responsibilities in the event a player is injured.

Legal Issues Associated with Coaching Youth Sport

Be Prepared to Answer Two Questions Concering Injuries
1. Did I do all that could be expected to prevent the injury from occurring before it occurred?
2. Did I do all that should have been done to minimize the impact of the injury?
To Be Safe from Litigation, You Must Be Able to Prove:
1. That you did all that could be expected to prevent the injury from occurring.
2. That you did all that could be expect to render the appropriate care after the injury occurred.
3. That you did not do more than a person with your training should do when providing first aid.
REMEMBER: If you are not qualified to deal with an injury, DON'T! Get medical assistance immediately.
Take an Aggressive Approach to Preventing Injuries & Follow Regulations.
1. Comply with all established rules and regulations.
2. Teach proper techniques.
Musts
1. Have each player and parent complete and sign an authorization for emergency treatment.
2. Always have these forms at all times and during all activities.
3. Develop a plan to quickly and effectively deal with emergencies, which should cover the following:
  1. How to contact help immediately if needed.
  2. Provide an outline of what each player, coach and parent will do.
  3. How to contact parents.
  4. Always tape enough change inside of the medical kit or carry a cell phone in case an emergency phone call is requried. Identify where change is located.
  5. Identify which parents attending practices and games carry cell phones.
  6. Have key emergency phone numbers & location of nearest phone.
  7. Outline procedures to deal with typical onfield emergencies.
Protection from Litigation
1. You must constantly be aware so you can correct or terminate any situation or activity that poses a potential for injury.
2. You must be able to answer affirmatively such questions as "did you comply with all established rules and regulations and did you do all that was possible to minimize the potential for injury?"
3. If your league has developed safety policies and procedures or has developed other guidelines for coaches, have you reviewed them and planned for compliance?