Who is Responsible for Safety in Youth Sports?
Players
Parents
Coaches
Referees
Host Org
Pre-Season
checkBe sure to be fit enough for the stresses of youth sports on the body and mind. If you need help addressing any of these items, seek help from a parent or coach.
In-Season
checkHydrate the day before youth sports activities. Not only will you be able to maintain your body core temperature better, but you will help to prevent injuries, and keep your energy level high. See Episode #6 _The real and profound impact of dehydration on performance.
checkProtect your team mates and your opponents from injury. This means not doing anything that could put another player at risk.
checkRemove anything that might get caught or cut another player.
checkWear all safety equipment as required or recommended by your club.
checkPick your teammates up during games and practices. There is no good reason to let a fellow teammate get down on themselves for making mistakes. We all make mistakes - that's part of the growth process. If we're not making mistakes, we're not learning at our full capacity. Celebrate when others make mistakes - it shows that they are trying.
checkCommunicate with parents and coaches. Don't assume everyone else will get stuff done for you.
checkRecover when needed - from after events - from after injuries - from whenever a head injury might be suspected.
Pre-Season
checkGetting physicals
checkRegistration
checkInsurance information
checkWaivers signed
In-Season
checkGetting physicals, registration, insurance information, and waivers signed
checkTransportation (including youth protection and in-transit safety), drop-off or stay?
checkBeing "on-call" during events incase help is needed.
checkPurchase of proper safety equipment.
checkBe there at pickup time.
checkFollowing rehab procedures.
checkHelping encourage stretching, sleep, nutrition, and hydration.
Pre-Season
checkGetting registered, background investigations,
checkEducation - make sure you know what is age appropriate, the appropriate 17-laws for your age group, sports medicine/ first aid, nutrition/hydration...
checkPlanning for emergencies - know where the hospitals are and how to activate EMS - most people would just dial 911, but in some areas, EMS can't treat minors without parental consent. Do you know your area's laws?
checkSetting up the coach's clipboard: roster, emergency contacts, medical waivers and conditions, emergency procedures for venues.
checkPre-season parent meeting
In-Season
checkPre-activity field safety check
checkPre-activity player safety check - are they healthy? former concussions? Hydrated? wearing safety equipment. Not wearing unsafe items (casts, jewelry, etc)
checkCarrying the coach's clipboard to every activity.
checkEnsuring YPT and physical security for all of your players. Enlisting the help of parents.
checkKeeping an eye out for player's welfare (hydration status, physical injury, emotional stress, parent interventions, concussion protocols)
checkMaintaining supervision and safety for all players until relieved by parent or guardian.
Pre-Season
checkEducation
checkMentoring
checkFitness
checkExperience
checkJudgement
In-Season
checkOnce the referee arrives, they have control over the venue, game, and surrounding activities. This continues for the duration of the game.
checkSafety checks of field and conditions.
checkSafety checks of players.
checkIdentifying others with leadership roles: AR's coaches, managers
checkApplying good judgment when enforcing the rules to manage the pace and aggression of the game.
Pre-Season
checkField selection, collecting and distributing registration info, purchasing/repairing equipment and fields, documenting and publishing standards, setting up and communicating league rules, hiring officials and coaches, coach's orientation, training, and oversight, cultural standards, grievance procedures, insurance, staffing...
In-Season
checkSideline culture
checkMonitoring coaches
checkMonitoring officials
checkPre-game weather calls
checkReporting
checkInsurance claims
Emotional Safety
We are come together in youth sports to push one another to succeed. To be successful, we must fail and make mistakes. It's up to all of us to ensure that the environment we create for our kids is one where it is safe to fail. Failures that are criticized or condemned are going to be avoided. Aversion to failure will result in kids not trying. This is the last thing we want.
If every member of the youth sports community embraces the idea that it's okay - and even expected for failures to occur along the way to greatness, the culture will become a safe one in which kids strive to become the best they can become - without artificial limitations.
This Episode is Sponsored In Part By...
The Damascus Soccer Club has been serving kids and their families from 3-18 years old in the Damascus, Clarksburg, and Germantown region of Maryland since 1988. Their motto is Character, Development, and Fun Through Youth Sports.
The Club serves Academy (ages 3-6), Transition Academy (ages 7-8), Recreations (ages 9-18), Classic (ages 9-18), and Select Travel (ages 9-18). They are the Maryland partner with the Stoke City Potters and Global Image Sports, and offer ID and Development camps in the summer.
The Damascus Soccer Club co-owns two major tournaments in the Maryland area: August Cup and Rush for the Cup.
You can find more information about registering for programs, camps, and tournaments at http://DamascusSoccer.org.
