Sports
Sports Safety Checklist for Parents and Coaches
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Aug 12, 2008 - 6:02:00 PM

Recommendations Designed to Ensure Safe Play During Recreational or School Sports Activities

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - DALLAS, – To underscore their commitment to secondary school sports injury prevention and treatment, the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) and the North American Booster Club Association (NABCA) have released a sports safety checklist as a guide for parents, coaches, administrators, athletic trainers and other health care professionals, to ensure safe and healthy play. The checklist can be viewed electronically at http://nata.org/youthsports/NATAcheklist9.pdf.

“We are excited to partner with NABCA to educate parents and coaches on how to help high school athletes avoid common sports-related injuries,” said NATA President Marjorie Albohm, MS, ATC. “After all, the safety of young athletes is a top priority for certified athletic trainers who specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries.”

“Teaming up with NATA is a natural fit for our organization,” said Steve Beden, president and CEO of NABCA. “We look forward to working with NATA on ongoing projects to reduce the number of injuries among children playing sports in the U.S.”

Sports Safety Checklist

Following are highlights of the NATA and NABCA sports safety guidelines.

1.Coaches should develop a written emergency action plan to prepare for possible sport-related injuries.

2. If there is no certified athletic trainer on staff, coaches, parents and officials should be trained in first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).

3. Make sure that athletes have their own water bottles and stay well hydrated.

4. Develop educational programs for parents and athletes regarding conditioning, strength training, hydration, nutrition, injury prevention and care, rules and fundamentals of the sport.

5. Plan a mock emergency to practice execution of the emergency action plan.

6. Determine what to include in a first aid kit for specific sports.

7. On a regular basis, perform a safety check of the facility.

8. Develop a sports/parent “code of conduct” and always show good sportsmanship.

9. Understand the fundamentals and rules of the sport, and be supportive of your child and the coach.

10. Coaches should always arrange a pre-season meeting for parents outlining the school’s or league’s philosophies and safety procedures.

For more information, visit the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (www.nata.org)and North American Booster Club Association (www.boosterclubs.org).

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