{"id":2040,"date":"2014-08-17T05:14:49","date_gmt":"2014-08-17T13:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/?p=2040"},"modified":"2014-08-23T10:08:33","modified_gmt":"2014-08-23T18:08:33","slug":"tips-strategies-august-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hooptactics.net\/news\/2014\/08\/tips-strategies-august-2014\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips & Strategies – August 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"

Caution: A Mandatory read before stepping out onto the court!!!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Personal Liabilities Inherited with Coaching<\/h1>\n

\"Coaching<\/h1>\n

As a coach, doing what you love to do is awesome and rewarding. However, it can really come back and haunt you if you do not adhere to your legal responsibilities.\u00a0With the alarming increase in the number of sports lawsuits in recent years, coaches on all levels of the game, paid or volunteer, must be acutely aware of the legal ramifications and responsibilities that accompany coaching. These personal liabilities cannot be ignored or avoided. Criminal charges and civic lawsuits, no matter how frivolous and unjustified, are very serious matters that can be devastating and costly,\u00a0even when they are won or dismissed.<\/p>\n

Liability laws have been enacted to protect athletes and to provide for a safe and healthy environment. Legal liability is established through negligent or intentional\u00a0acts that harm a third party either through omission (not performing an act that is expected to be performed by a prudent person) or by commission (performing an intentional act that results in harm). Examples of coaches\u2019 personal liability can include: Failure to Stay within Job Description, Faulty Equipment or Usage, Insufficient Supervision, Inadequate Instruction, Failure to Act Prudently During a Medical Emergency, Failure to Report Harassment (Bullying), Hazing or Sexual Misconduct, Failure to Supervise Volunteers, and Improper Transportation.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/abbr>12 Ways to Protect Yourself Against Legal Liabilities<\/h2>\n

By addressing the following 12 coaching obligations and responsibilities, it will not only help protect you from lawsuits and legal challenges, but it will also insure your players of\u00a0a wholesome participation and safe environment.<\/p>\n

1. Have Personal Liability Insurance<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Personal liability can and does result in civil lawsuits, criminal charges, exposed personal assets, loss of careers and reputation damage. Therefore, coaches must have appropriate insurance that covers both public liability and personal accidents. Do NOT go on the court without it. The risks are too great!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure that all volunteer coaches are aware of their need for liability insurance. You will also need personal liability insurance\u00a0that covers\u00a0basketball camps, off season (summer) coaching, open gyms and any personal training since schools\u00a0 require proof of liability insurance for non-school facility usage.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a02. Stay within the Job Description following school\/district policies and Federal laws.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As a coach, you\u00a0are acting as an agent of your employer, as long as you stay within the course and scope of\u00a0your designated and assigned duties. Acting outside of a job description will expose you to personal liability. Do not assume duties, make sure that you have a written contract and\/or job description. Also, make sure that your entire coaching staff, paid and volunteer, are aware of their duties and personal liabilities.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3. Warn Participants of Risks<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Players must be warned of the risks in playing basketball. Provide a written document warning parents and players of the inherent risks unique to basketball. Obtain a signed acknowledgement of the risk warning document from parent and athlete prior to participation.<\/span><\/span> Be sure to alert and warn players of any changes in equipment, rules, techniques\u00a0or strategy. Keep a written record of time, place, subject and method of these changes.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a04. Require Proof of Physical Exams, Medical Insurance and Treatment Consent<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Require proof of physical exams prior to participation. Court decisions have held that coaches have the duty to be aware of all players\u2019 physical fitness, medical conditions, and skill level. Also, require evidence of medical insurance.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

CAUTION: Health care providers cannot lawfully render treatment to a patient without consent. When a minor is involved, consent must be obtained from a parent or legal guardian. Having a “consent form” on file not only expedites medical care,\u00a0but also provides some protection against a parent\u2019s claim that emergency care was not authorized. Consent forms should list any allergies to medications along with specifying who to notify in the event of a medical emergency.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5. Provide Proper Supervision<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Basic rule: If you cannot see them, you are not supervising them!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Provide proper supervision of players at all times. This includes waiting time prior to practice. As a coach you must also reasonably foresee potential dangers along with watching out for and prohibiting players to practice or play with injuries. Be particularly alert and cautious of players exhibiting any concussion symptoms.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Concussions – A must read for all coaches!<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a06. Provide Safe Equipment & Facilities<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/abbr><\/p>\n

\u00a0Prior to any practice, game or open gym, make sure the facility is safe. Adhere to the first aid adage, “Ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”<\/em> Learn to be cognizant of potential dangers and hazards around the court area at all times. Double check to see that all standards are stowed out of the way, balls remained picked up, water is not on the floor, etc. <\/span><\/span>Make routine equipment inspections. List and post rules & warnings for equipment usage especially in weight rooms.\u00a0 Have all equipment installed and repaired by qualified personnel only. Make sure that a first aid kit and supplies including ice or cold packs are available for\u00a0practices as well as games.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a07. Provide Proper Instruction<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0Coaches must follow the accepted practices for teaching specific basketball skills and techniques. Certain drills and other methods that are standard for basketball instruction should be followed. It is especially important that coaches focus on the more hazardous areas of basketball training, such as proper techniques for taking a charge or diving for a loose balls. Coaches must also keep a record of daily practice plans documenting all training activities by time, place, subject and method. <\/span><\/span>Coaches should constantly update their coaching knowledge and expertise by attending classes, seminars, clinics\u00a0and through online resources such as<\/span> HoopTactics<\/span><\/span>. If coaching certification is required, keep it up to date.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a08. Follow prudent and approved protocols during an emergency<\/b><\/p>\n

Coaches are legally responsible for the safety of their players. Unfortunately basketball injuries do occur. Each year, more than 1.6 million basketball-related injuries are treated in hospitals, doctors\u2019 offices, clinics, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital emergency rooms. Therefore, all coaches\u00a0must be certified in basic first aid and in CPR. Prior to every practice or game, make sure that you have access to first aid facilities and a means by which to contact emergency services.\u00a0A first aid kit and supplies including ice or cold packs should also be available at all times. Once an athlete has suffered an injury, clearance to return to play\u00a0must be\u00a0provided by a doctor in writing. Do not play hurt or injured players.<\/p>\n

Organize and have in place an Emergency Medical Plan\u00a0tailored to the availability of school and local community resources. All coaches and players must be specifically trained how to activate and execute the Emergency Medical Plan. Also,\u00a0develop an alternative Emergency Medical Plan to be executed when traveling to another facility.<\/p>\n

\u00a09. Report Suspected Abuse Immediately<\/b><\/p>\n

It is the coach’s responsibility, and required by law, to protect players against all forms of abuse. Coaches must be able to recognize indicators that may signify abuse and take appropriate action if concerned.<\/p>\n