COACHES LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Wishing all Gymnasts, Coaches and Officials of Sarawak High Perfromance Sports Schools Gymnastics Camps, shedule from 3rd - 5th October 2009 a Successful Camp. Happy Gymnastics !

Sports programs are associated with several well-established duties with regard to the participants in their programs. Each of the duties listed below should be considered part of what an instructor/coach MUST do, not SHOULD do.
Legal Duties of Coaches
1. Supervise the activity closely – The instructor should clearly establish his/her control over the situation, the participants, and the group at the outset. Performers should never be left in an unsupervised area.
2. Properly plan the activity – Develop clear written rules for participation, including expectations for proper behavior. In addition, the instructor should have a written plan for each training session.
3. Provide proper instruction – Recognize and understand the necessary skill progressions and the time that is required to master those skills. Instructors should be aware that they should only teach those skills within their own knowledge and experience level.
4. Provide a safe physical environment – Facilities and performance areas should be inspected regularly to ensure they are safe for the participants and other involved in the planned activity.
5. Provide adequate and proper equipment – Existing codes and standards for equipment should be met, and all equipment should be inspected and maintained. For general gymnastics, this includes using equipment and props only for the specific purpose for which they were designed.
6. Warn of inherent risks – The instructor must be familiar with the ordinary risks of the activity and the performance area. Risks that are integral to the activity should be explained to the participants in words they can clearly understand and appreciate.
7. Provide appropriate emergency assistance – Participants must be evaluated for injury. Instructors should have a knowledge of basic emergency first aid and injury management procedures, such as STOP and RICED, and keep-to-date on these and similar procedures.
8. Keep informed – Instructors, regardless of the level of activity, have a duty to regularly update their teaching knowledge and keep themselves informed of new developments.
9. Know your athletes – Instructors must have a complete understanding of the training and background of each participant including his/her limitations. Instructors must recognize the effect of peer pressure and coach acceptance pressure upon tryouts and individual performances.
10. Keep adequate records – Adequate records are useful aids and should be kept on all participants. These include relevant general and medical information, progress reports, and injury reports.