Awareness of concussions and the significant health issues they pose is just the tip of the iceberg for coaches. This question also raises the specter of a growing list of legal concerns that coaches need to be aware of. Tom White, director and founder of the Master of Coaching and Sports Administration program at Concordia Irvine University, says, "In today`s controversial society, it is becoming increasingly important that coaches, administrators and athletic directors have a good understanding of the law." As injuries and sport-related issues continue to dominate the headlines and affect programs across the country, laws like "return to play" are becoming a sign of the times when it comes to protecting players and sports programs. The world of athletics is experiencing a significant shift in the perception of roles and responsibilities of coaches, schools and sport staff. Anyone in a position that may impact the well-being of children, including a youth coach, has a legitimate (and legal) responsibility to provide a safe experience so that sport administrators are aware of the legal issues in high school sport, they must first understand the structure of civil procedures. Unlike criminal law, civil law usually involves a monetary judgment or changes to laws or regulations. To prove negligence, four standards must be met: bring your sports leaders together, communicate the plan, and make sure everyone follows it. Interscholastic sport administrators oversee all aspects of elementary and secondary school sport programs, from hiring and supervising coaches to budgeting and planning. Sport administrators are also responsible for managing and mitigating risks and legal concerns that may arise from sport programs. Keep a close eye on all teaching, exercise and competition activities at all times, even when others are given a leadership role Coaches need to be aware of their legal responsibilities, particularly with respect to the advice they give to their athletes and how they manage and monitor participation in sport. Coaches have a legal obligation to their athletes and should: In recent decades, school districts and legislators have made changes to rules and regulations aimed at protecting students from injuries caused by interscholastic sports. Many of the changes and improvements are the result of litigation.
Lawsuits are now a way of life and no one, not even coaches, is exempt. The purpose here is to let you know some basic information about legal liability in coaching and give some suggestions that will help you avoid legal problems. The advice given here is not a substitute for extensive legal research on the laws and regulations in your area. As the clock kicked off the new year earlier this month, all but one state joined the growing legal effort to protect and prevent concussions and head injuries among young Americans. When faced with legal issues in high school sport, sport administrators need to understand the potential problems and pitfalls in interscholastic sports. Major educational programs, including Ohio University`s online master`s degree in sports administration, emphasize the importance of risk management in athletics. Interschool athletic directors should also keep abreast of changes in district, state, and federal regulations and laws that may impact legal issues in high school sports. At Ohio University, online master`s students in sports administration delve deeper into the legal requirements of the interscholastic athletic program through the Legal Foundations of Risk Management in Athletics course. Students study topics such as constitutional law, the law of negligence and tort, and federal law for interscholastic sport. Failure to warn. It is essential to warn players of their injury potential. However, coaches often ignore this warning as it will have a negative impact on players, especially in contact sports.
Nevertheless, parents and players should be informed of the risks involved and given written materials describing how injuries can be prevented. To educate the coaching community about the importance of their roles, duties and obligations, White and CUI`s MCAA team developed the "14 Legal Duties of Sport Personnel." It is an evolving coaching "credo" that encourages coaches to develop and communicate a robust risk management plan while sharpening their sensitivity and awareness of their legal responsibilities. Observe changing sport environments and make prudent judgments about continuing to participate when conditions become unsafe Athletic directors are expected to ensure that student-athletes, coaches, spectators and others are not injured by sporting events.