In the Winter 1998 edition of their newsletter, CAPS Matters, the Coalition of Americans to Protect Sports identifies the Nine Legal Duties of a Coach. They are:

1. Properly plan the activity.
2. Provide proper instruction.
3. Provide safe physical environment.
4. Provide adequate and proper equipment.
5. Match your athletes.
6. Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity.
7. Supervise the activity closely.
8. Warn of inherent risks.
9. Provide appropriate emergency assistance.

The risk of injuries in youth sports will never be eliminated, but it can be managed. Coaches who practice risk management by fulfilling the nine legal duties listed above can take a significant step in reducing the risk of injury and liability in their programs. Following these nine legal duties will not necessarily prevent litigation should an injury occur, but failing to follow them can open you to a charge of negligence. Negligence is defined as failing to act as a reasonably careful person would act in the same situation. You do not have to be perfect but you do have to be careful.

In the past, issues related to facilities and equipment have received the most attention. Recently, however, the trend seems to have turned more towards the actions of the coaches themselves. Looking at the list above you see issues such as planning the activity and proper instruction. These items emphasize that coaches must know what they are doing. Activities and instructional procedures must be developmentally appropriate, meaning that they suit the chronological and developmental status of the athletes.

This discussion is by no means meant to discourage or scare you away you from coaching. Quite the contrary! It encourages you to always do a good job and be attentive to your athletes. After all, you are there for the athletes and need to remember that the athletes are our number one priority.

Resource: Sport Injury Risk Management & The Keys to Safety, Second Edition, Coalition of Americans to Protect Sports, 1998

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Stratton, Ph.D., is the Associate Professor of Health and Physical Education at the College of Human Resources and Education, Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Dr. Stratton is the editor of the monthly online newsletter Coaching Youth Sports.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------