Sports Safety Education


All youth athletes are at risk

Youth athletes, ages 14 and under, are at risk because many coaches are parent volunteers, who have not received adequate sports safety education. If an athlete became very thirsty, mentally confused and nauseated, he/she may have been suffering from a low insulin level which could lead to a diabetic coma, or it could have been a sign of dehydration. Would you or your coaches recognize either of these potentially hazardous conditions?


I don't think my athletes are at risk

After traveling the country speaking to numerous youth organizations, NCSS has found that it is common for organizations to be unaware of just how at-risk they and their athletes are.

Is your organization PREPARED? Take the NCSS quiz. [more]


Adopt sports safety education

NCSS recognizes that organizations can face challenges when incorporating different programs, but it is individuals like you who have the opportunity to make your sports program safer and fun for every athlete. Use tips from the NCSS to get PREPARE incorporated into your coaching curriculum. [more]


How will this benefit our program

The PREPARE course will not only make your athletes safer, it will benefit your organization as a whole. By being proactive and more knowledgeable, your coaches, staff and volunteers will be more equipped to avoid preventable injuries which can reduce risk. In addition, your group's commitment to sports safety education for its coaches will be another way to differentiate your program. [more]

 
National Coaches Registry

Reducing the Risk

The implementation of solid safety rules will not guarantee your athletes freedom from injury, but it will lower the chances of both common and serious catastrophic injuries. Decreasing the chance of injury lowers the chance of facing expensive, time-consuming, program-shattering lawsuits...
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Sports Participation in Children: When to Begin?

The spontaneous type of exercise and play of the past, which conjures up images of Norman Rockwell paintings of sandlot baseball, just does not occur nearly as much today
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Safety Checklist: For the Coach

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
[more]