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Youth Sports Misconduct Extends To Social Media

And includes cyberbullying

The excitement of a new school year brings enthusiasm for the beginning of many youth sports seasons. As competitions get underway, coaches, activity directors and athletic staff also may become aware of instances of bullying and cyberbullying.

Children’s sports team coaches and athletic staff may be surprised to learn that the fundamentals of sportsmanship now extend to participants’ online behavior.

In the past, emphasis has been on exercising good sportsmanship on the playing field or court. Today, participants can endanger themselves or their organization with sports misconduct while online.

Examples of cyberbullying violations

It is a violation of Safe Sport risk management programs if a staff member knows or should have known of bullying behavior, but takes no action to intervene. Athletic staff need training to recognize, address and prevent such behavior.

Youth sports misconduct includes using electronic communication against someone to:

Harass
Frighten
Intimidate
Humiliate
Threaten
Socially isolate

Prohibited cyberbullying behavior also includes attempts to diminish or exclude another participant physically, emotionally or sexually.

According to StopBullying.gov the most common places where cyberbullying occurs are:

Social Media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tik Tok
Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
Email
Online gaming communities

State laws address cyberbullying

While there is no Federal law that specifically applies to cyberbullying, individual states have laws to protect people from bullying. Click here to see your state’s laws.

Often, it is not the staff, but other participants – such as parents or guardians – who perpetrate bullying. School sports and activity programs need to be aware that good sportsmanship applies, whether in the sport or activity itself, or online.

It is important to note that bullying does not include group or team behaviors to encourage a culture of team unity and/or harder training effort. To learn more about what constitutes bullying, see the Sadler Child Abuse Protection Program.

A participant or parent/guardian who participates in any act of bullying should be subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, permanent ban, and referral to law enforcement authorities.

League organizers, sports complex managers, board members, coaches, athletes, umpires and performers involved in youth sports face unique risks.

Types of cyberbullying lawsuits

As the ease of digital communication evolves, an environment conducive to cyberbullying flourishes. A single inappropriate post or action can put you and your organization at risk. At any moment, an accusation of negligence, abuse, neglect or misconduct can be alleged, along with a lawsuit alleging bodily injury, emotional distress, personal injury, or failure to follow your own rules and bylaws if you don’t take action to address a prohibited activity.

Protect Yourself

The best way to protect yourself is to formally adopt and implement a Child Abuse Protection Plan such as the one that we have customized for our clients. In addition, you should protect yourself and your organization with the purchase of both General Liability and Directors & Officers Liability insurance. Call Sadler Sports & Recreation Insurance at (800) 622-7370 to learn more or click on “get quote” in the top navigation bar above to find the custom program which best fits your needs.

COVID-19 and Return-to-Play Webinar

Sadler Sports Insurance and Go4Ellis Webinar Recording

Sadler Sports Insurance partnered with Go4Ellis (on demand per diem access to athletic trainers) to produce a fantastic webinar on COVID-19 and return to sports. It was very well received by the live audience. Many of the participants said they received real value for the first time in the form of an actionable return to sports plan.

In the webinar, John Sadler covers the major COVID-19 issues to be considered:

Liability risk for transmission
Difficulty in proving a case
Legal defenses that are available
COVID-19 waiver/release
COVID-19 warning signage
Will General Liability cover a transmission lawsuit?

Ellis Mair, the chief medical officer for Go4Ellis, presented the role that an athletic trainer can provide as you factor the COVID-19 risks into planning and implementation of your events. Athletic trainers are not only experts in sports injuries, but also in dealing with diseases such as COVID-19. Their ability to be your COVID Coordinator in executing the safest events possible could be immeasurable.

Below is the Zoom meeting link to the the previously-recorded webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/4cFRLIPRx15OGJX_9m_gV5J5Fau8eaa80CIc_vUKyR5Rnkkg0NT1o4R624XHsR_m

Outline of Topics Covered

COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Panelists

Objectives

Follow the Lead of Authority Sources

Risk Identification Checklist

Sport
Age Group
Event Type
Expected Attendance
Location
Local or Interstate

Insurance and Liability

Legal Theories of Recovery for COVID-19 Transmission
Elements Of COVID-19 Negligence Claim
Legal Risk Compared with Child Abuse or Concussions
Does General Liability Cover COVID-19 Transmission Lawsuits?
COVID-19 Waiver/Release
COVID-19 Warning Signage
Other Legal Defenses
Homeowners Liability and Personal Umbrella

How Hiring an Athletic Trainer helps Sports Organizations Execute Mitigation Strategies and Support Event Operators

COVID Coordinator
Pre-event Communication
PPE
Temperature Screening
Monitoring
State / Local Compliance Documentation
Participant Evaluation And Response

Q&A

NAYS Presents 16th Annual Youth Sports Congress

Guest post by the National Alliance for Youth Sports*

The National Alliance for Youth Sports is proud to announce the 16th annual Youth Sports Congress scheduled for November 8 to 11 in Orlando, Florida. Registration is currently underway.

This four-day comprehensive educational experience is developed specifically for youth sports administrators. Registrants will attend the welcome reception, NAYS Congress, Athletic Business Expo and keynote address. They will also have the opportunity to earn or maintain their credentials as a Certified Youth Sports Administrator (CYSA).

The keynote address on day one focuses on professionalism for youth sports administrators. We’ll also be presenting the Excellence in Youth Sports Award, and recognizing the NAYS Volunteer Coach of the Year and the NAYS Youth Sports Parent of the Year.

Other sessions include:

Building Your Shield Part 1: Screening and Protecting from Adults Who Bully
Building Your Shield Part 2: Emergency, Crisis and Conflict Readiness
Developing Character via Youth Sports
Coaching the Coaches on Mental Toughness
A Roundtable Discussion of Current Youth Sports Issues
A Moral Compass Guiding Youth Sports Programs
Embracing Youth Sport: Attack the Issues
Positioning Yourself as the Leader in Youth Sports – Creating Partnerships that Work!

The keynote speaker will be Charles Duhigg, bestselling author of “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business.” Duhigg is also a New York Times Pulitzer prize-winning investigative reporter. His talk will focus on the science of habit formation in individuals, businesses and societies.

Over 250 exhibitors will be displaying their products at the Athletic Business Expo. NAYS sponsors will be in a separate pavilion where attendees can meet and greet supporters of the NAYS program.

Lafayette’s Restaurant and Bar is hosting the Athletic Business welcome reception. Attendees can connect with one another, exhibitors and speakers while enjoying live music and Southern-inspired dishes.

Register now to be a part of this event. If you have questions please email us at yscongress@nays.org or visit Youth Sports Congress.

* Sadler Sports Insurance and NAYS have been long-term partners for over 20 years. I can personally attest to the high quality of all their programming. We provide an endorsed insurance program for teams/leagues that choose to have their coaches trained by NAYS. We also provide separate coach liability insurance for the trained coaches.

— John M. Sadler

Boundary Dispute Fells Little League Champs

When adults cheat, it’s the kids who pay

Fraud and cheating occur too frequently in government, business, education, mediaand, sadly, even youth sports organizations.

Little League stripped the Jackie Robinson West team of its U.S. championship and suspended its coach for violating the league’s team boundary rule. In what can only be called a team-building effort, team officials altered a league map that determines the areas from which players can be recruited.

In addition to the team being relieved of its international tournament wins, the team manager was suspended the administrator of Illinois District 4 was removed. But it was the players, who were unaware of the team’s manipulation, who paid the highest price. Mountain Ridge Little League was awarded the championship.

It was an agonizing decision but critical in upholding the integrity of Little League, according to Stephen Keener, Little League International president and CEO.

Over the past 10 years, a number of Sadler Sports Insurance sports league clients were sued over boundary disputes involving the eligibility of a particular player (usually a superstar). Disqualification of an ineligible player by a sanctioning body prior to a tournament can result in a legal challenge for injunctive relief asking to halt the tournament until the judge can rule on eligibility. Due to the legal expenses and inconvenience involved, it is recommended that sanctioning bodies have tight boundary rules that are not subject to alternate interpretations. And, of course, they must always follow their own rules when making a decision.

Source: Tom Farrey, “Little League punishes Chicago team,” espn.go.com. 11 Feb. 2015.

Coach Abuse in Youth Sports

It’s much broader than just sex abuse/molestation

Sex abuse and molestation by coaches tends to get the most attention in the media and cause a lot of outrage, but there are many other forms of coach abuse. Sports administrators and parents can protect youth by being aware of physical,, emotional, and/or verbal abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, and hazing or initiation rituals. Such behaviors have resulted in many lawsuits against coaches and administrators.

A quality risk management plan that deal with sex abuse and molestation will also incorporate these other types of abuse. We offer many articles on abuse in youth sports, which we encourage you to read. Click on the link below for an excellent article that provides a full definition and examples of each of these types of abuse.

Source: “What Every Parent Should Know About Athlete Abuse: What Parents Can Do To Help Prevent Abuse,” Safe4Athletes.org.

Medical Emergencies in Youth Sports

CPR and first aid training for coaches is critical

Sadler Sports and Recreation Insurance has always been a strong advocate of youth sports coaches and volunteers receiving first aid and emergency training. Injuries and medical emergencies can occur anywhere, at anytime to anyone, especially in a sporting environment. Coaches and other adults in attendance during practices and play have to be able to respond in such cases. Unfortunately, only 40 percent of youth coaches have any safety training, according to a 2012 SafeKids Worldwide survey.

There’s really no excuse for such lack of training because certification classes in first aid and CPR are offered in every community for free or very little cost. It’s the responsibility of the sports organization and local community to ensure that coaches and volunteers have access to the training needed to respond appropriately to an injury or life-threatening event.

Empowering your volunteers

In particular, the education of volunteers in safety procedures strengthens the sports program. Volunteers offer their time and energy in so many capacities. They should be given the tools they need to be an even greater help, which means safety training or recertification at no cost to them. And it’s important to remember that coaches and volunteers serve as safety role models for the youth with whom they’re working. Older athletes should be encouraged to register for CPR and first aid certification courses, as well.

No matter what sport you’re involved with, the unexpected can occur. Here are a few examples of emergency situations where immediate administration of first-aid made all the difference to the injured person.

An Alabama high school football player collapsed during the first practice of the season. Coaches and the athletic trainer sprang into action, quickly determining a case of cardiac arrest after seeing no signs of concussion, heat stroke or dehydration. The trainer used the school’s AED while waiting for EMTs to arrive on the scene. The teen survived, thanks to the safety training his coaches had received.
An Oregon varsity high school basketball game was unexpectedly interrupted when an official collapsed on the court. Quick thinking staff, students and medical professionals in the stands rushed to his aid, administering CPR until an ambulance arrived.
An 8-year-old youth baseball player collapsed after being hit in the chest by a batted ball. It was his good fortune that two off-duty paramedics who were in the stands were able to administer CPR until paramedics arrived and transported him to the hospital.

You can’t count on there being someone nearby who will know what to do in a medical emergency. Whether the injured person is one of the athletes, a trainer, an official or a fan in the stands, the coaches are who people will look to for help in an emergency.

Getting the necessary training

The American Red Cross offers CPR/AED training as well as specific first aid, health and safety training for sports coaches. Because CPR techniques and use of AEDs on children and adults differ, it’s important that coaches receive training for medical assistance for both age groups

The National Alliance for Youth Sports encourages all volunteer coaches get CPR training. Their website offers member coaches access to a first aid and CPR section full of safety information, including how to develop an emergency action plan. NAYS also offers free concussion training for coaches and volunteers.

Coach Certification Liability Insurance

Several of the coach certification training organizations offer General Liability insurance as a membership benefit to the coaches. This is a great benefit that is designed to act as a safety net in the event that the sports organization neglects to provide its own insurance or if its insurance contains unacceptable exclusions.

Some sports organizations that require all of their coaches to be certified mistakenly interpret this membership benefit as a green light to forgo purchasing their own General Liability insurance. This is a dangerous mistake. Individual coach certification General Liability insurance will not provide protection under the following circumstances:

It won’t cover the sports organization as an entity. As a result, the assets of the entity are unprotected if a lawsuit results in legal defense costs, settlement, or an adverse jury verdict. This can be catastrophic; even small sports organizations can have many thousands of dollars of asset value in their bank accounts, equipment, real estate, etc.

It won’t allow for the issuance of a certificate of insurance under the name of the sports organization, which may be a property owner’s requirement for field or facility access.

When a youth participant is injured, it is customary for all adult volunteers in close proximity to the injury to be shotgunned into the lawsuit based on negligent supervision. This includes the head coach, assistant coach, manager, umpire, referee, team mother, etc. In addition, the organization’s board members and officers will normally be included based on lack of general supervision. It’s likely that not all these volunteers are certified coaches and therefore won’t be protected.

Most coach certification liability policies only cover lawsuits arising out of direct coaching activities. However, many lawsuits in the youth sports context arise out of non-sport activities and outings such as swimming parties, restaurant celebrations, backyard cookouts, banquets, fundraisers, etc.

The bottom line is that all sports organizations need their own General Liability policy. If you have questions, or want assistance in determining your insurance needs, please call us at (800) 622-7370.

Review: TackleSure Coach Training Program Endorsed by AYF

Why is a change in tackling techniques necessary now?

Heightened awareness on the dangers of concussions and long term brain injury from sub concussive impacts has brought to the forefront the need to change the culture of youth tackle football to protect the future of the sport by addressing injury, liability, and insurance concerns. Traditional risk management techniques of concussion education, recognition, removal, treatment, and return-to-play protocols don’t address the risk of an accumulation of sub concussive impacts over multiple seasons. Therefore, programs like TackleSure have emerged to remove the head from tackling and to introduce tackling drills that don’t require pads and can be executed with limited contact. I strongly recommend the TackleSure program as a part of a comprehensive concussion/brain injury risk management program for youth tackle football.

Description of TackleSure online training course

TackleSure, an official licensed partner of NFL Players, is an online course that consists of 11 class segments which are followed by an online multiple choice test. After registering and paying the reduced $5.00 course fee for AYF members, registrants view videos with instruction by Thurmond Moore (college and NFL defensive coach) and Jared Allen (All-Pro defensive end) where they define the problem, introduce the correct tackling technique and terminology, introduce drills to reinforce each aspect of the technique, and demonstrate the step-by-step coaching process in the field on inexperienced youth players. In addition, segments include concussion education and introduce the new Reebok Check Light Skull Cap product. Most will not complete the course in a single sitting, but it’is easy to log back in and start the next segment. The course includes a 100-page PDF document that is a great reference tool for coaches as it explains and illustrates all drills.

Why I reviewed the course

As a leader in sports insurance and risk management for youth tackle football, I decided to take the

TackleSure course to gain a better education and to experience what my clients would experience. After all, how could I recommend a course without having experienced it myself? I do need to add the disclaimer that I never played organized football and have never coached it.

However, my son played as a 7th grader, so I have observed a number of youth practices and games. Therefore, my observations on TackleSure are from the perspective of a neophyte but that may not be

Screenshot of my final score

too far off as many coaches are dads who have unexpectedly found themselves in a coaching position.

What is wrong with the traditional tackling technique?

The traditional tackling technique of putting the head to side and wrapping up the ball carrier with the arms tends to result in reaching, a bending forward at the waist, and all too often leading with the head. The hammer metaphor of being a hammer (knees bent – power angle – back straight) as opposed to being a nail (bend at the waist) has also been used to describe the correct tackling technique. Unfortunately, the traditional tackling technique is usually taught and practiced at full contact, which results in a greater probability of head contact, more sub concussive impacts, and a greater chance of concussions.

Safety at the sacrifice of effectiveness?

The main objective of TackleSure is to get the head out of the tackle. Does this mean that the safer tackling technique is less effective? Not according to the experts. The TackleSure technique actually brings more force to the tackle due to the explosion of the hips, the throwing of the uppercuts, and the double-time leg drive. The traditional tackling technique of leaning forward from the waist and wrapping up does not have the same explosiveness because the lower body and core are not engaged and the wrapping of the arms to the side results in a misdirection of potential upper body force away from the ball carrier.

The major components of the TackleSure technique

TackleSure can be introduced to a team in three days and fully implemented in two weeks. In addition, the drills are designed for no pads and lessened contact so that they can be repeatedly practiced and reinforced to build muscle memory. The techniques are taught from simple to complex, from the end of the tackle forward, from teaching pace to full speed pace, and from left foot forward and right foot forward.

Clamp progression eliminates the head as a weapon and teaches the basics of tackling technique from finish stance (lower body positioning and engagement of hips forward), one legged take off, belly button/hips through, chest pop, clamp and claw (upper body engagement of getting head out of tackle by looking up at high hands and tying up ball carrier between elbows with hands grabbing cloth on back of ball carrier’s jersey), and machine gunning legs to provide power to finish off tackle.

Chest pop progression adds refinements to promote power in tackle with continued emphasis on removing the head. Starts with flat back stance and elbows back with guns in holsters, one legged take off, explode hips into ball carrier, shoot strong double upper cuts, make contact with chest, lift and tie up ball carrier, kick opposite leg high and wide, and double time high and wide with legs.

Shimmy progression adds open field positioning and footwork transitioning toward ball carrier includes sprinting, shimmy stance, break step, and fit position.

Near–foot progression adds the element of aiming near foot at ball carrier.

Specialty tackles: – lawnmower, tomahawk, and gator.

What you need to know before you take the course

The course is thorough, but it needs to be in order to explain, reinforce, and illustrate the techniques and

Screenshot of my TackleSure certificate of completion.

drills to the coaches. The last two course segments are repeats of earlier segments, but they are critical to see what is likely to happen when these concepts are introduced to inexperienced youth players and the corrections that need to be made in the field. All 11 segments take approximately 4.5 hours. to complete. However, not all segments are necessary viewing to pass the test. Also, remember that TackleSure does not require on-field instruction because the videos are so thorough and well-illustrated.

The major competing tackle course takes about 20 minutes online plus an on-the-field training clinic. The online portion doesn’t come close to approaching the thoroughness and effectiveness of the TackleSure program in terms of either safety or improved tackling. In addition, the on-field training clinic comes with the related hassles of travel, scheduling, and make ups.

Be sure to take notes as you watch the TackleSure videos so you can reference them during the exam. The exam is not a cakewalk.

TackleSure is just a part of a comprehensive concussion/brain injury risk management program. In addition, a basic concussion course should be required such as the CDC’s Heads Up or NAYS Concussion Awareness and all organizations should have written policies and procedures to address recognition, removal, treatment, and return-to-play protocol.

Conclusion

Overall, I give the TackleSure training a very high rating and believe that I would be able to teach the correct technique if I were to become a youth football coach. It’s important for the instruction be geared to first-time coaches. I also applaud their decision to offer the entire training program online as opposed to in-person coach clinics. We all know that with volunteer organizations, it is virtually impossible to coordinate live training for all coaches at the same time due to scheduling conflicts and the addition of new coaches later in the season.

Click here to access the TackleSure program.

For more information on a comprehensive football/cheer brain injury risk management program, visit the concussion section of our Risk Management page.

Click here for more information on AYF/AYC Insurance.

Hotel Safety: Teams Traveling Overnight (Infographic)

Protecting athletes and staff from sex abuse/molestation incidents

All parents have the expectation that youth sports organizations provide a safe and fun environment for the athletes. Any organization that supervises kids has a clear mandate to incorporate policies to prevent injuries of any kind. Child abuse and molestation can take place anywhere, and any program where adults supervise children is fertile ground for predators.

Most child predators are “groomers” as opposed to “grabbers” and it’s their modus operandi to earn the trust of the child and parents prior to any abuse taking place. They create an emotional bond with the child, which works to prevent the child from reporting incidents. Youth sports programs are prime targets for perpetrators of these crimes.

Extra precautions need taken when youth sports teams travel out of town overnight for tournaments and camps. Below are basic tips to help protect young athletes from adults who intend to do them harm, and minimize the risk of coaches and chaperones being accused of improper or criminal behavior toward the children.

[sc:InfoGraphic imagealt=”Hotel safety” imageurl=”https://www.sadlersports.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Hotel-Precautions.jpg” imagewidth=”400″ imageheight=”650″ permalink=”https://www.sadlersports.com/blog/hotel-safety/” infographictitle=”hotel safety”]

Please visit our Risk Management page for more sports tips and safety information.

Protecting your team and league from liability claims

Did you know that liability protection is critical for all teams and leagues? It only takes one injury-related lawsuit to financially ruin your organization. Having the right insurance protection offers you peace of mind.

Getting the right insurance coverage does not have to be complicated if you work with an agency like SADLER. The insurance experts at SADLER understand your needs and the unique risks associated with your sports or recreation organization.

To learn more about liability prevention or get a customized insurance quote, you can apply online right now or call us at 1-800-622-7370. There are no obligations. Most quotes are sent in just a few hours. Since there no application fees and we offer the most competitive rates in the industry, what do you have to lose?

Swimming outings source of liability claims

Safety first at team pool parties

The swimming outing in a coach’s backyard or at a motel pool during a tournament is commonly the source of drowning or near-drowning incidents.

Drowning among youth baseball and softball players seems to be a prevalent problem in youth sports leagues. Of course, this is not isolated to just the baseball/softball arena, but more common most likely because of spring and summer activity.

An 8-year-old boy nearly drowned during his football team pool party in Arizona. His parents were in attendance but distracted for just long enough. Fortunately, the child was rescued by another alert parent. Unfortunately, most cases that we read about do not have such happy endings.

Vigilance is the key

Drowning is the second highest cause of accidental death in children under the age of 15, according to the Center for Disease Control.. Approximately 750 children will drown next year, 375 of whom will be within 25 yards of an adult.

Accidents cannot always be prevented. It’s critical, however, to be vigilant when dealing with children in youth sports organizations. Most of the time, not every one of the children has a parent or guardian with them, especially when the team travels. These parents trust that the coaches and volunteers that they leave their children with will be monitoring their safety and bringing them back home in one piece.

Steps toward prevention

Simple precautions can be taken to lessen the risk of drowning.

Participation requires passing a swim test.

Instill in team members “the buddy system” so they’re accountable for each other.
Have at least one CPR-trained adult in attendance.
Prohibit alcohol consumption by adults at all youth parties.
Adults should not be involved in any distracting activity (such as grilling, reading, talking on phone)
Hire a certified lifeguard and require them to provide proof of adequate General Liability insurance.

The avoidance alternative

A number of Sadler Sports insurance clients have been sued for drowning or near drowning incidents resulting in very costly settlements. I’ve personally witnessed a number of incidents around pools where parents get caught up in conversations and lose their concentration for just a split second, and that’s all it takes.

In my opinion, the risks of serious injury and resulting lawsuits are so significant with swimming parties that such activities should be avoided as their risks outweigh their benefits. Avoidance of high risk activities is sports risk management 101 and I put swimming parties right up there with the use of 15 passenger vans (tip-over risks) and sleepovers (sex abuse and molestation risk).

You can find further information on pool safety on the American Red Cross website. If you have questions, please contact us.