1. Risk Management Special Thanks to the American Sport Education Program for Allowing Us to Use Their Coaching Principles Course, Successful Coaching, Rainer Martins, Copyright 1997 Les GreeveyPhone: (570) 326-6561 1460 Washington BlvdEmail: les@greevy.com Williamsport, PA 17701 1 NRA Coach School: Risk Management

2. Objectives Discuss the definition of risk management Discuss the nine responsibilities of a coach Discuss the need for good records keeping NRA Coach School: Risk Management 2

3. What Is Risk Management? Attention on Athletes First, Winning Second Planning ahead for the uncertainties of potential loss Loss relates to: – Health and safety of persons – Protection of facilities – Prudent action NRA Coach School: Risk Management 3

4. Risk Management Process Risk Identification Risk Evaluation a)Frequency b)Severity Approach Selection a)Avoid b)Reduce or eliminate c)Transfer d)Accept Approach Implementation – Must execute and enforce every time NRA Coach School: Risk Management 4

5. Negligence and a Coach’s Responsibilities Coaches have responsibilities. – Failing to fulfill a responsibility is considered negligence When coaching, you are negligent if you fail to exercise skill and knowledge normally possessed by fellow coaches in working with those to whom you have a responsibility Classic definition of negligence NRA Coach School: Risk Management 5

6. Determining Negligence Four key questions: – Did you have a responsibility to the injured party in this situation? – Duty – Did you fail to fulfill this responsibility ?– Breach – Was there an injury to the party to whom you owed the responsibility?– Damages – Did your failure to fulfill the responsibility cause the injury? - Causation NRA Coach School: Risk Management 6

7. Responsibilities of a Coach Properly plan the activity Provide proper instruction Warn of inherent risks Provide a safe physical environment Provide adequate and proper equipment Match your athletes appropriately Evaluate athletes for injury or incapacity Supervise the activity closely Provide appropriate emergency assistance NRA Coach School: Risk Management 7

8. 1. Properly Plan the Activity Develop season plans Determine shooters’ physical capabilities Develop written training plans Adapt plans to shooters’ needs Don’t deviate from written plans without good cause (written) Keep all records of plans NRA Coach School: Risk Management 8

9. 2. Provide Proper Instruction Know current instructional methodologies (Standard of Care). Teach skills, strategies and rules in accordance with the customary methods of the shooting sport and developmental level of the shooter. Make instructions clear, complete, and consistent – Don’t Speak in Jargon NRA Coach School: Risk Management 9

10. 3. Warn of Inherent Risks Warn athletes of inherent risks so they know, understand, and appreciate them. Explain risks, followed by repeated warnings in practice and in tournaments. Discuss risks in team meetings and in parent orientation programs. Use participation agreements signed by the parents and athletes. Show films or tapes showing risks. Voluntary assumption of a known risk. NRA Coach School: Risk Management 10

11. 4. Provide a Safe Physical Environment Note and resolve hazardous conditions through regular inspections Develop a Facilities Inspection Checklist and use it Change any dangerous conditions that you can, reduce hazards if you cannot remove them Give precise rules for using the facility Enforce the rules NRA Coach School: Risk Management 11

12. 5. Provide Adequate and Proper Equipment Obtain the best equipment your club can afford, considering the age and ability of your shooters Teach your shooters how to fit, use and inspect their equipment Inspect equipment regularly Only allow qualified people to install, fit, adjust and repair equipment Warn shooters of potentially hazardous equipment or give verbal and written instructions NRA Coach School: Risk Management 12

13. 6. Match Your Athletes Appropriately Match shooters in size, maturity, skill, and experience Enforce eligibility rules Modify the drill or practice structure if needed Be alert to mismatches between the sexes, shooters recovering from injuries and those with disabilities NRA Coach School: Risk Management 13

14. 7. Evaluate Athletes for Injury or Incapacity Require a physical exam (2 yrs) Keep a medical history of each shooter such as allergies – bee stings Use good judgment in allowing shooters who are injured or ill to compete Get parent and doctor’s approval before allowing injured athletes back into competition NRA Coach School: Risk Management 14

15. 8. Supervise the Activity Closely Always provide adequate supervision to all areas of your facility Provide specific supervision when teaching new skills and when the risk of injury increases Know your sport so you can anticipate potentially dangerous situations Never allow reckless or overly aggressive behavior on the line or off NRA Coach School: Risk Management 15

16. 9. Provide Appropriate Emergency Assistance Protect the injured athlete from further harm. Provide appropriate first aid Attempt to maintain or restore life sustaining when required Comfort and reassure the shooter Activate your emergency plan NRA Coach School: Risk Management 16

17. Proper Training of Coaches Coaches have the responsibility to their athletes Head coach is responsible to ensure that assistants are qualified Certification is no guarantee, but it is a big step in the right direction NRA Coach School: Risk Management 17

18. Participation Agreements A Contract Waivers have limited legal value Participation agreements clearly establish the coach’s responsibility to warn of inherent risks – Athlete understands the dangers of the sport – Athlete appreciates the consequences of the risks involved – Athlete knows the rules and procedures of the sport – Athlete asks to participate in the sport – “Voluntary assumption of a known risk” NRA Coach School: Risk Management 18

19. Coaching Ethics Code Standards define acceptable and unacceptable categories of behavior Created to help protect: – Coach – Athlete – Shooting Club – Associations NRA Coach School: Risk Management 19

20. Insurance We have a litigious society – insurance is essential Find out from your sponsoring agency what insurance is available or what they offer General Commercial Liability You can purchase a separate personal liability insurance policy Home Owners – if volunteer NRA Coach School: Risk Management 20

21. Corporation Limited liability Indemnity 501(c)(3) – Qualified Amateur Athletic Organization – Charitable deductions – Immunities NRA Coach School: Risk Management 21

22. Immunities Volunteer Protection Act of 1997, 42 USC 14051 – Federal preemptive act – Provides qualified personal immunity to volunteers of non-profit Acting within scope of responsibility Certified or licensed if required Not motor vehicle – Different & lower standard of care Willful, gross negligent, reckless, criminal conduct – Uncompensated volunteers – expenses and $500/year – 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corp. – some states may require insurance NRA Coach School: Risk Management 22

23. Immunities (cont.) Agent of the State – 4–H – JROTC Good Samaritan Rule – Renders emergency care NRA Coach School: Risk Management 23

24. Summary Be positive and do what is best for your shooters – Key concept You have nine responsibilities as a coach – Standard of care You can reduce your risk by getting proper training, providing a safe environment and keeping good records Consider having personal liability insurance Consider 501(c)(3) corporation Learn more about Risk Management by taking the ASEP Coaching Principles Course NRA Coach School: Risk Management 24