7.2.B. PRSR 12-12-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Standard #7 Safe Playing Environment Youth sports programs must provide safe playing facilities and equipment, healthful playing situations and proper first aid applications, should the need arise. Background: Coaches and league administrators have the responsibility to inspect and ensure proper maintenance of facilities; to have knowledge of proper equipment selection and appropriate use; to understand the physical consequence of improper skill techniques; have the ability to modify rules for safe-playing situations; understand the physical need for a proper child-oriented conditioning program; and have knowledge of prevention and first aid for athletic injuries, including the ability to implement emergency procedures. Rationale: Children participating in youth sports are exposed to a variety of organized risk-taking opportunities. It is important for programs to take every precaution to protect participants from dangerous situations and in the event of an accident or emergency, everyone must be prepared to respond appropriately. Implementation: 1. Leagues must implement procedures for inspecting playing facilities for safety hazards before every youth sports activity. 2. Leagues should develop procedures for continual safety inspections of all playing equipment. 3. Leagues must not allow participation during unsafe conditions, such as lightning storms, darkness, playing sites in disrepair, etc. 4. Leagues should develop emergency action plans and these should be communicated to everyone involved at the beginning of the season or program. 5. Leagues should establish procedures to ensure that all teams and events have an emergency first aid plan for administering to injuries, as well as polices in place for dealing with dangerous weather conditions and hazards that pose injury risks. . 6. Leagues should require basic medical and injury treatment forms to be properly completed and signed by parents. 7. Leagues should require that at least one adult trained in CPR(cardiopulmonary resuscitation)and basic first aid is always on site at any practice or game. 8. Leagues should require coaches to carry each player's emergency contact and health information at all practices and games. 9. Leagues should demand that teams have a fully equipped first aid kit at all youth sports activities. 10. An AED (automated external defibrillator) should be located in proximity to all fields, courts and rinks. 11. Leagues should remove coaches that knowingly allow a player to play while having a serious injury or knowingly create unsafe play situations. 12. Leagues should enforce a policy that requires written permission from a doctor prior to allowing a child to participate following an injury. 13. Leagues should provide information to everyone regarding proper hydration techniques. 14. Children below the age of 11 should participate in activities that contain limited collision potential and feature modified rules that will significantly reduce the chances of injury. 15. Leagues should mandate that at least two adults are always present during practices, games and any other related activity. 16. Leagues must adopt rules/policies banning rapid weight loss/gain procedures used solely for participation in youth sports. 17. Leagues must select equipment designed to ensure injury reduction for participants, (i.e. baseballs designed to reduce injuries, soccer shin guards, approved protective equipment in contact sports). 4, National Standards for Youth Sports Copyright©2008 by NAYS