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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 9:11:02 GMT -6
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Post by jpdaley25 on Mar 12, 2015 9:11:02 GMT -6
I'm working on my list of things to cover with my staff to avoid ending up in a courtroom, and I thought I would ask for your input to see if I was leaving anything out. What do you guys emphasize with your assistants?
Also, I read about a school near here that requires the parents of players to sign a waiver. Do any of y'all do that at your schools? And if so, would you mind sharing it?
Thanks in advance for your responses!
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Post by woodyboyd on Mar 12, 2015 9:23:12 GMT -6
Every year we film the first day we teach tackling. We've never had to use it in a court of law, but I think it's a fantastic idea.
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toke
Freshmen Member
Posts: 38
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 12:13:22 GMT -6
Post by toke on Mar 12, 2015 12:13:22 GMT -6
As an european coach, I'm really surprised to see a post like this. Is this really something you have to think about and be proactive, to avoid being in such a situation? Do players/parents sue the coach if the player gets injured? Or is in other situations? I understand in situations like Jerry Sandusky, but beside criminal activity, what could as a coach bring you in a court room?
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Post by bigmoot on Mar 12, 2015 12:23:33 GMT -6
people in USA will sue for anything. recording how you teach tackling is a great idea. also have a notebook with heat policies, emergency action plans, practice schedules including water breaks, player physicals (be sure to read them, never know if johnny had issue in the past), transportation plans, locker room supervision, field supervision. there is a few off the top of my head.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 12:23:37 GMT -6
Post by Yash on Mar 12, 2015 12:23:37 GMT -6
As an european coach, I'm really surprised to see a post like this. Is this really something you have to think about and be proactive, to avoid being in such a situation? Do players/parents sue the coach if the player gets injured? Or is in other situations? I understand in situations like Jerry Sandusky, but beside criminal activity, what could as a coach bring you in a court room? If something goes wrong, sue the person in charge! It's the American way. Sadly, this is something we find ourselves having to look for often. We film the first day of tackling as well. We read the helmet sticker warning label to the kids and make them read it with us. Seems silly and petty but anything to be proactive. 5 minutes of protection now is probably worth $25,000 in lawyer defense fees later.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 12:31:09 GMT -6
Post by rsmith627 on Mar 12, 2015 12:31:09 GMT -6
We make sure that parents understand that they may not transport their athlete back to school from an away game. They must ride the bus as per district policy. If that parent gets into an accident the school is still liable, at least that's my understanding.
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Post by Coach Bennett on Mar 12, 2015 12:59:52 GMT -6
On our practice plan I write "water available to athletes anytime" in footer.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 13:22:05 GMT -6
Post by coachorm on Mar 12, 2015 13:22:05 GMT -6
One big thing we have to do especially in May - Aug is worry about the Heat index. So we keep a notebook and every day that is even questionable we check it as often as our state and district policy requires and document the time and what the reading was. It can be a pain but like someone else said it is documentation to prove you are doing all you can should you ever need it.
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toke
Freshmen Member
Posts: 38
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 14:26:31 GMT -6
Post by toke on Mar 12, 2015 14:26:31 GMT -6
Well. We remove the warning labels, when we have to paint the helmets. Have never really given any thought to any of this.
We all know the american way of suing everyone, but I always looked at it like a stereotype and never really thought to take it this literal, not even of my trips over the pond.
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Post by mhcoach on Mar 12, 2015 14:33:54 GMT -6
Toke
Removing the sticker voids the warranty, definitely a no-no here.
Joe
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Post by fantom on Mar 12, 2015 15:46:57 GMT -6
Even though I don't love our neck machine we use it once a week if only to show that we were doing something to prevent neck injuries and concussions.
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Post by coachg13 on Mar 12, 2015 16:08:26 GMT -6
We also videotape reading the warning label on the back of the helmet.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 16:25:37 GMT -6
Post by jlenwood on Mar 12, 2015 16:25:37 GMT -6
We had an unwritten, or maybe it was written, rule that we were never to give a kid a ride home. Another was one that wasn't a rule, but something I made sure to do to cover myself was to never be in an area of the school with a player that wasn't covered by the security cameras. For example, somebody needs something from the training room, I'll get it and the kid stood in the hall way.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 16:50:18 GMT -6
Post by CoachM58 on Mar 12, 2015 16:50:18 GMT -6
We had an unwritten, or maybe it was written, rule that we were never to give a kid a ride home. Another was one that wasn't a rule, but something I made sure to do to cover myself was to never be in an area of the school with a player that wasn't covered by the security cameras. For example, somebody needs something from the training room, I'll get it and the kid stood in the hall way. We all understand what could happen here, but does that hurt your attendance any? Our school covers such a large area mileage wise. Actually we are located in the second biggest county east of the Mississippi, and naturally a lot of kids travel 45-1 hour+ (one way) for practice and other activities. Some of the other coaches have to take the kids home for many different socioeconomic reasons. Anybody else deal with this?
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Post by lions23 on Mar 12, 2015 17:10:21 GMT -6
We had an unwritten, or maybe it was written, rule that we were never to give a kid a ride home. Another was one that wasn't a rule, but something I made sure to do to cover myself was to never be in an area of the school with a player that wasn't covered by the security cameras. For example, somebody needs something from the training room, I'll get it and the kid stood in the hall way. We all understand what could happen here, but does that hurt your attendance any? Our school covers such a large area mileage wise. Actually we are located in the second biggest county east of the Mississippi, and naturally a lot of kids travel 45-1 hour+ (one way) for practice and other activities. Some of the other coaches have to take the kids home for many different socioeconomic reasons. Anybody else deal with this? I'm in a rough area. We take kids home all the time. We sometimes feel like we would be more liable if we let a kid walk home at 1 am after a road game and he was to get hurt. Our AD tells us not to do it tongue and cheek but we all do. I know what the book says but half our kids have nothing. Sometimes we are feeding them and everything else. I don't like being in our parking lot late at night so I'm sure as he'll not gonna send a kid home walking at night.
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Post by coachbdud on Mar 12, 2015 17:37:38 GMT -6
Keep practice plans to document time spent tackling
Film a few days teaching safe play Keep the film Documentation you showed them the correct way
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 18:25:59 GMT -6
Post by jlenwood on Mar 12, 2015 18:25:59 GMT -6
We all understand what could happen here, but does that hurt your attendance any? Our school covers such a large area mileage wise. Actually we are located in the second biggest county east of the Mississippi, and naturally a lot of kids travel 45-1 hour+ (one way) for practice and other activities. Some of the other coaches have to take the kids home for many different socioeconomic reasons. Anybody else deal with this? I'm in a rough area. We take kids home all the time. We sometimes feel like we would be more liable if we let a kid walk home at 1 am after a road game and he was to get hurt. Our AD tells us not to do it tongue and cheek but we all do. I know what the book says but half our kids have nothing. Sometimes we are feeding them and everything else. I don't like being in our parking lot late at night so I'm sure as he'll not gonna send a kid home walking at night. I coached in the community I lived in, so I actually would give some kids a ride on occasion if I knew their parents.
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CYA
Mar 12, 2015 18:53:10 GMT -6
Post by coachwoodall on Mar 12, 2015 18:53:10 GMT -6
As an european coach, I'm really surprised to see a post like this. Is this really something you have to think about and be proactive, to avoid being in such a situation? Do players/parents sue the coach if the player gets injured? Or is in other situations? I understand in situations like Jerry Sandusky, but beside criminal activity, what could as a coach bring you in a court room? In the good ole US of A we have the highest per capita of lawyers in the world..... by a long shot. There are over 280 attorneys for every 100,000 people. The next highest is Britain with a 1/3 that number, France 1/9... Over 55 million people sought legal consul last year. 1 out of 12 adults will be sued this year. Yep, we have to worry about it, but then again you can't blame a guy for trying to make a buck.
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Post by coachwoodall on Mar 12, 2015 19:52:51 GMT -6
- Admins biggest nightmare is supervision, or lack thereof. No matter what happens, how stupid is was, they should have known better, why in the hale would you do that, etc......... The first thing that will be asked was, "What coach was there and what did they see?" When you answer is, " There wasn't anyone there....", the District Office attorney will ask the parent how many zeros will make this go away and the Admin will blame you. If you're lucky you will only get a reprimand. Make a duty roster and be sure to have every exit/waiting spot covered. Our HC basically has told the parents if you're not here within 30 minutes of the 'end time', you're kid can be removed from the team so we don't have to wait forever; and he will call the parent and make a fuss for his ACs. Make sure if a kid is 'going to walk home' you specify that they are to leave 'through this door and exit by this route', etc....
- Documented plans. You should have a notebook of all potential hazard situations and how you will handle them. What and who will: handle an injury at practice/ game follow an injured kid to hospital at practice/game notify parent in any injury if there is hazardous weather plan if the bus breaks down if there is a campus intruder threat if there is an unruly parent/spectator handle security at practice/games
Most districts have something in place in a notebook somewhere in a file cabinet of some secretary of some department in some wing of the district office. Pester the hades out of the person who makes things happen at the DO and get copies of all these procedures and put them in a notebook you can grab with your eyes closed.
- Team Rules. Only have rules that you WILL enforce and CAN enforce. Otherwise it will be a headache, if you're lucky. That parent of the kid that can't play dead in a cowboy movie will find a way to pin that 'at the coach's decrestion' rule up you arse because little Johnny isn't getting a fair shake. Have a written chain of command and always allow a means of appeal. Now you don't have to broadcast this, but have it written down. I'm not saying the 'buck can't stop here', but you have to have due process procedures in place. There should be more than 1 step in a dismissal.
- Assistant Coaches. Talk to them, preach to them, lecture them...... about what is expected and not to be done. Every district has it's 'definite No-Nos'; please make sure that you tell them what these are. Every year. Take the load off your back and have a coaches meeting where the DO big wig does the talking/preaching/lecturing. Most good ADs will make this a requirement for the whole athletic staff at the beginning of the year.
- Endorsements/Certifications. This again should be on the AD to make sure that all coaches have taken the required training needed by the district/association/state affiliation in order to coach kids. MAKE SURE EVERY COACH HAS HAD A BACK GROUND CHECK. Don't even recommend a coach to be hired by the district in any capacity unless YOU are sure he can pass a back ground check.
- Equipment. You should have a regular schedule for replacing and recertifying equipment. Make sure the equipment fits and if you need help your supplier should have a rep that will assist you in knowing how make sure each piece fits properly. Have a regular schedule for maintaining all your sleds, fields, and anything that a kid will hit, touch, walk on, lift, or use. Have a regular cleaning schedule for washing uniforms/towels, cleaning helmets/shoulder pads/cleats/etc... Also have a plan for disinfecting lockers, locker rooms, etc.... This should include the weight room benches. Something as simple as making a kid wear a shirt at all times in the weight room will CYA. If a kid touches it, it should be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. Some of this should be handled by the janitors in your school, but you should have written schedule on hand to take that off your back.
- Bus evacuations. Most schools make every kid go through a yearly drill to know how to evacuate a bus in an emergency, even if they don't ride a bus to school. This is done because a kid may take a field trip on a bus. You kid will take a field trip on a bus for every away game. You should have this on file to CYA.
- Fire drill/Tornado drill/Intruder drill procedures. Have this posted in all locker rooms, team rooms, the weight room, etc... and have a file to cover what you will in case of.....
- Forms. Make sure you have on file every form you are required to have and double/triple/quadruple check to make sure that all forms are turned in and verified. Your AD should assist you in this.
- Communication. Make sure all your coaches know the procedures and how they should handle a phone call/visit/conversation with: parents media 'concerned' individuals fans administration law enforcement
and make sure they know the chain of command.
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CYA
Mar 13, 2015 8:27:49 GMT -6
Post by chipprjonz10 on Mar 13, 2015 8:27:49 GMT -6
Make sure any drills you do carry over to a game...You better be able to back up in a court of law why your kid got hurt doing "bull in the ring" or "monkey rolls"
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Post by piratefootball on Mar 14, 2015 11:32:51 GMT -6
1. We video when we teach tackling and we teach everyone, QB and kickers included (although they don't do the close quarter tackle box). 2. We have a trainer and she is the final say on injuries. To prevent fake injuries, kids that have an injury or concussion do not travel or stand on the sidelines during home games unless they are a senior. (This has drastically cut down on the number concussions or those claiming to have them). 3. We have posted in the locker rooms the poster from the state declaring rule changes and safety reminders. 4. We are by the book with concussion protocols, heat acclimatization, etc... 5. Trainer takes the helmet of aplayer with a concussion and I keep it until he is cleared. When cleared, he is issued a different helmet (that one stays with me and only me until I send it back for recon as I don't want the helmet taken somewhere and a lawyer or Doc and let them pick it apart). 6. I fit every helmet in the pre-season and every shoulder pad and an assistant confirms that it is good. In season, the assistant fits it (only 1 guy does it... not just any assistant) and I confirm it is good (we have both done the USA football fitting and have the manufacturer send a rep to teach us how to fit their helmets and shoulder pads.)
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CYA
Mar 16, 2015 8:42:50 GMT -6
Rooster likes this
Post by larrymoe on Mar 16, 2015 8:42:50 GMT -6
We also videotape reading the warning label on the back of the helmet. I think it's getting close to time for me to buy that shack in the middle of Montana.
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Post by coachg13 on Mar 16, 2015 20:05:36 GMT -6
We also videotape reading the warning label on the back of the helmet. I think it's getting close to time for me to buy that shack in the middle of Montana. I need a couple more years for retirement but if there's if it's a 2 bedroom I'll join you. A parent today complained about our head coach - said he's been doing the kids wrong because they can't wear anything black on Friday night...we give them EVERYTHING, cleats, socks, undershirts (long or short)...and our colors are red and white....
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CYA
Mar 16, 2015 22:17:00 GMT -6
Post by coachmonkey on Mar 16, 2015 22:17:00 GMT -6
I'm working on my list of things to cover with my staff to avoid ending up in a courtroom, and I thought I would ask for your input to see if I was leaving anything out. What do you guys emphasize with your assistants? Also, I read about a school near here that requires the parents of players to sign a waiver. Do any of y'all do that at your schools? And if so, would you mind sharing it? Thanks in advance for your responses! Waiver do not prevent lawsuits. You cannot waive your rights in this country. They may help parents think they can't sue you, but they really can, even if they signed a waiver. I learned this in a coaching class.
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Post by larrymoe on Mar 17, 2015 5:43:04 GMT -6
A parent today complained about our head coach - said he's been doing the kids wrong because they can't wear anything black on Friday night...we give them EVERYTHING, cleats, socks, undershirts (long or short)...and our colors are red and white.... You oppressive bastards!! Did she happen to complain that you're infringing upon his Constitutional rights to dress however he chooses? I love it when people misquote the Constitution. A SUPERINTENDENT at a district bordering mine said on the radio one day that a student has a Constitutional right to a free ride to and from school every morning. I must have missed that amendment.
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Post by Rooster on Mar 17, 2015 7:42:22 GMT -6
There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence.
Rooster
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CYA
Mar 20, 2015 13:35:16 GMT -6
Post by gabehc16 on Mar 20, 2015 13:35:16 GMT -6
Every year we film the first day we teach tackling. We've never had to use it in a court of law, but I think it's a fantastic idea. This...we did this too...never had to use it thank God
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