Fourteen Legal Duties of Athletic Personnel – Duties #3 and #4 [NIAAA]

By: John Evers | NIAAA

DUTY TO ASSESS AN ATHLETE'S READINESS FOR PRACTICE AND COMPETITION

Coaches are required to access the health and physical or maturational readiness skills and physical condition of athletes

• Athletic department should develop a packet for all prospective student-athletes
• Athletic department should develop a Student Athletic Handbooks for all parents and athletes
• All forms should include clear designations for all needed signatures
• Prospective Student Athlete packets should include:
  • Official state high school athletic associated physical examination form
  • All medical clearance forms required by the state association
  • Emergency contacts forms as required by the athletic department
  • Permission to participate forms approved by the state association and school
  • Proof of insurance
  • Any other forms required by the school and/or state athletic association

Injured Athlete Protocol

• Coaches must keep accurate records of all injures and practice attendance
• Athletic Department should develop methodology for return to practice and/or play

Athletic Transfers

• All athletic transfers must comply with school and state association rules
• Athletic department must develop protocol to track all athletic transfers
• Athletic department must develop policy for any contact with prospective transfers
• Athletic department must work with Guidance department to develop communication

Academic Tracking

• Athletic department must develop protocol to track all grades for all athletes
• Athletic department must develop protocol for reporting of grades
• Athletic department must develop protocol for certification of all grades

Legal Issues

• Athletic department must develop policies for tracking illegal activity of athletes
• Athletic department must develop protocol for tracking violation of code of conduct
• Athletic department must always protect the privacy rights of all student-athletes

DUTY TO MAINTAIN SAFE PLAYING CONDITIONS

Coaches are considered trained professionals who possess a higher level of knowledge and skill that permits them to identify foreseeable causes of injury inherent in defective equipment or hazardous environments

Safety rules should be developed and communicated to ALL parties that enter or use facilities.

• Place in ALL athletic facilities
  • Laminate rules
  • Use font as large as possible
• Share in all pre-season parent meetings
• Share in all pre-season athlete meetings
• Share in all coaches handbooks

Checklists should be develop for safety and security inspections of ALL facilities

• Game and practice facilities (including parking and restrooms)
• Locker rooms and training rooms
• Weight rooms
• Parking lots and public area associated with athletic facilities

Reporting System must be develop to respond to safety issues

• Reporting forms must be developed and shared with all staff
• Develop system of reporting all issues to appropriate maintenance staff
• Develop system of communication of completed work to all supervisory staff
• Reporting system must be developed to track reports over time

Develop an Emergency Plan for all Sites

• Protocol for tracking and communicating severe weather events
• Protocol for communication of any other dangerous events
• System for communication of emergency information to all media, parents and the public
• System for communication at each venue used for practice and/or game
• System for communication to coaches and athletes in transit (bus or van)
• System for communication to officials and game workers
• Develop Management and Safety plans for all venues. Educate and share with:
  • Student-Athletes and Coaches
  • Parents, patrons and general public
  • All staff and personnel
  • Local EMS services