Providing proper supervision of the environment and activity is the most important duty of the coach. The lack of proper supervision in the team environment is the most litigated area in all sports and recreational activities. The coach is responsible for providing general as well as specific supervision any time the coach assumes responsibility for the players. General supervision includes overall direction of the players and activities of the team. Specific supervision is employed when the coach is working with one or several players, in close proximity, and directly supervising the specific skill and technique the players are performing. (Ref. Supervision, Lucenko)

Among the important roles of the coach with respect to supervision are the following:

a. Recognition that passive presence is not supervision.

b. Active presence and control of the environment and the players throughout the activity session and until players depart. Constant vigilance of all activities in the coaching environment.

c. Development, publishing and implementation of the supervisory plan.

d. Equipment and facility inspection to detect hazards and to anticipate problems.

e. Alert to developing dangerous situations and conditions.

f. Immediate intervention when necessary.

g. Use of general supervision and direct or intensive supervision throughout the session or game.

The instruction, coaching, or teaching process includes knowing the proper techniques and tactics and presenting them in a safe and proper pedagogical progression, and then providing feedback to the players. A recommended progression for teaching fundamental, game related or game condition aspects includes the following:

a. Proper and safe organization of the team for practice so that no player is at risk for injury. Avoid multiple activities going on at the same time without an assistant coach at each location. Provide an adequate buffer zone between groups and between permanent objects such as screens or posts. Make certain that the buffer zone will enable the player to stop prior to contact with the fence or post. Make sure appropriate padding of stationary object in proximity of play protects the player.

b. Introduction of topic and communication of importance in game and related safety aspects.

c. Correct demonstration of skill to be learned: "A picture is worth a thousand words".

d. Repeat demonstration - Solidify the proper and safe aspects of the skill.

e. Short and clear explanation. Avoid verbocity/logorrhea.

f. Provide sufficient time for practice.

g. Positive feedback, solidification, modification.

h. Teachable moment - Use the moment to make an important point.

I. Review.

Instruction also includes team safety rules and discussion so that each player understands all rules.

This duty includes the use of safe equipment on safe facilities. All necessary and required protective equipment must be worn by the players. The coach must make certain that the equipment, itself, is safe and fits properly. An inspection system should be implemented to inspect the facility and to check the equipment on a regular basis.

A risk management evaluation of the facility should include bases, home plate, the infield surface, outfield, fencing, bats, and protective equipment. The spectator areas also should be inspected. A daily check is more appropriate than only a pre-season or post-season inspection. Any facility defect should be repaired and defective equipment should be replaced. Coaches should warn players not to misuse or abuse the equipment and to use it only for the purpose intendedDescription goes here

Many injuries have been suffered by players and spectators due to indiscriminate swinging of bats which slipped out of the hands of the player. The coach should make certain that bat swinging only takes place in "on deck circles' and that these circles are located a proper distance from player or spectator seating or traffic areas. Additionally, the "on deck' area should be protected from foul balls and should be away from the dugout and home plate. The focus of the swing should be away from player and spectator areas. Helmets should be worn in the "on deck circle' area. ere

There are reports of pitching machine injuries and deaths due to young players being struck in the chest with the ball. Thus, young players should wear a chest protector when using a pitching machine. Chest protectors will protect young players from experiencing "commotio cordis" if they are violently struck with the pitched ball. "Commotio cordis" is a condition caused by a sudden blow to the chest wall caused by a baseball or other blunt object. This condition is most often observed in children and is usually lethal. The mechanism of the sudden death from "commotio cordis" is not well understood.

No program player should be permitted to operate the pitching machine. Only the adult coach should do so. The rules for pitching machine use and operation should be explained to the players and should be posted.

When using the machine, make certain it is electrically grounded. Only an adult coach should feed the machine by showing the ball to the batter. The ball should be held above the machine and then should be brought slowly to the machine. The ball should not be placed into the machine unless the batter is alert and is properly dressed and addressing the pitch.

1. Place the bleachers a sufficient distance from the field to prevent the ball or bat from striking people. Inspect the bleachers on a regular basis and report problems to facility management.
2. Understand what is the most dangerous area for foul balls and protect the spectators.
3. Do not design or set up snack bar and concession areas that are unprotected from foul ball line of flight.
4. Do not schedule other distracting activities in area of frequent foul ball flight. In multiple field facility, install netting or fencing to prevent striking persons playing or watching the game at other adjacent fields. Inspect and replace any netting which includes holes or rips which may not stop a ball.

The coach usually has the responsibility of making certain that each player has met all health and physical examination requirements established by the school, league or association. The coach should not coerce a player to practice until the proper medical exam has been performed and parental permission has been obtained.

Unfortunately there are examples in high school sports where coaches coerced and intimidated players into engaging in pre season conditioning work without first obtaining medical clearance. In one case, a player had developed cardiac problems which would have been detected in a physical examination. Following the practice the young man died in his sleep due to a heart attack which was brought on by the strenuous workout.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, included in the reference section of this paper, has an excellent publication dealing with health topics.

Pre-participation Examinations

A. A pre-participation exam is necessary because it provides detailed information regarding the players' current health status, physical fitness, and a history of illness, injury, or surgery. If health problems are discovered during the exam, the player will be able to secure medical care to rehabilitate the cause. If it is not possible to treat the condition, and it is hazardous, the player will be so advised and prevented from participating. The coach must not coerce or pressure a player to engage in fitness or skill drills prior to being cleared by the pre-participation exam.

B. Emergency first aid care for an injured athlete will generally fall to the coach, unless an athletic trainer is present. In most youth coaching sessions there are no trainers present. There should be a First-Aid kit at every practice and game. The coach should be trained and certified in First Aid and CPR and should develop and establish an Emergency Action Plan to provide reasonable medical assistance to injured participants as quickly as possible. An emergency action plan is included in this paper.

Post Injury Rehabilitation Return to Play

When a player has been injured and has been under the care of a physician, the parents and the physician have the final say regarding clearance for the player to return to practice and competition. Coaches should not intimidate and coerce players and parents to return before the player has been medically cleared. There are examples of players suffering serious and career ending injuries due to the haste of the coach.

Prevention of Heat Illness

Recent reports of the heat-related deaths of players has focused on the need to instruct coaches about the potential catastrophic results of heat injury in sports. The youth coach must be knowledgeable about the effects of heat on the body and to understand when to practice and play and how much hydration the players should have. The coach should never prevent players from drinking water on demand and should make certain that plenty of water is available at the practice site.

Inclement Weather and Lightning Issues

There has been a lack of consistent education of coaches, at all levels, regarding the dangers of lightning storms. Many coaches have been left to their own resources and limited knowledge in dealing with storms. Recent information has focused on educating coaches about the dangers of lightning storms which can cause catastrophic and severe physical and emotional injuries. In 1997, the NCAA has added recommendations and requirements regarding the coach's responsibilities in the event of inclement weather and lightning. Some schools and athletic conferences have established recommendations regarding lightning. The coach should obtain the state of the art information and implement it into the risk management and safety plan.

The following are part of the NCAA guidelines, included in the Sports Medicine Handbook, in 1997:

1. Designate a chain of command as to who monitors threatening weather and who makes the decision to remove a team or individuals from an athletics site or event.
2. Obtain a weather report each day before a practice or event.
3. Be aware of National Weather Service-issued thunderstorm "watches" and "warnings" as well as signs of thunderstorms developing nearby.
4. Know where the closest "safe shelter" is to the field or playing area and know how long it takes to get to that safe shelter.
5. Be aware of how close lightning is occurring. The flash-to-bang method is the easiest and most convenient way to estimate how far away lightning is occurring.
6. People who have been struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge. Therefore, cardiopulmonary resuscitation is safe for the responder.

Comment: The best practice, in the event of thunder and lightning storms, is to immediately clear the field and take the players to a building until the storm passes and remain off the field for a minimum of 20 minutes interval between the last thunder or lightning bolt. Do not permit players to wait under a tree or in the dugout.

This plan should be developed specifically for the team, league, and practice or game facility and include communication requirements with the local physicians, the ambulance and hospital. It is important that when an ambulance service is used, that the ambulance not leave the site of the game until the game has been completed.

The following has been adapted from National Youth Sports Safety Foundation. The Emergency Medical Plan contains critical information necessary for appropriate immediate medical assistance. This plan can be adapted to your community and facility:cription goes here