F A L L

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S E A S O N

Risk Management
Duties of a Coach and Athletic Administrator

Basic Legal Duties

To properly plan the activity To offer appropriate equipment To offer appropriate facilities To offer appropriate instruction To offer appropriate supervision To appropriately condition the athlete To appropriately warn about the risks of the activity To offer appropriate post injury care To offer appropriate activities To maintain reasonable records To follow the appropriate rules and regulations

Coaches, like all professionals, are held to a certain level of performance or what is legally called a standard of care. That standard of care includes meeting certain legal duties. By meeting these duties we appreciably decrease the chance of injuries to athletes, the number of claims, and the chances of lawsuits against coaches and schools. It will also make the athletic experience worthwhile and enjoyable. The good news is that a coachs legal duties are fundamentally the same as his/hers coaching duties. If you are a good, caring coach you are also meeting your legal duties.

Athletic Administrator
When it comes to risk management, the athletic administrator is the point person. He/she is the coach of the coaches. If the athletic administrator doesnt make safety a top priority no one will. The A. A. is the role model, the seller of safety. The ability to communicate with coaches, faculty members, school administrators and parents is paramount to successful risk management. When people are working together towards mutual goals, it insures a successful risk management program. There is a section for athletic administrators that deals with the risk management responsibilities of the athletic administrator and is listed chronologically (duties by month).