Safety Checklist: For the Coach

Author: NCSS Information Team

Emergency Planning is an integral part of every sports program that outlines the responsibilities all those involved in the care of an athlete including all facility staff, coaches and players' parents. Each of these components should be included to ensure the safety of youth athletes.

Have emergency contact information on each player.
Have signed medical release forms on file for each player.
Have an accessible, working phone is at practice and at games to ensure that emergency personnel can be contacted quickly in case of an emergency.
Have a first aid kit present at all practices and games.
Provide water or sports drinks available for the athletes.
Give numerous breaks to prevent dehydration.
Examine playing fields, courts and other surfaces before practice and games for potentially dangerous obstacles such as holes, loose tiles, buckled wood, wet spots and sharp objects.
Routinely check player’s safety equipment before practice to make sure it is put on correctly and that nothing is cracked or missing pieces. If equipment is damaged, the athlete should not use it.
Properly store unused equipment away from the playing field so that no one trips over it while playing.
Ensure that youth athletes are aware of any unsafe playing conditions and report them to you.