Wake Forest Titans ’ Risk Management Plan

Introduction:

The Wake Forest Titans is a youth football organization that competes in the Pop Warner football program. The organization itself focuses on creating a safe and fun environment for the youth of Wake Forest and the surrounding area to learn the game of football. While it does push for a fun and safe envi-ronment they also try and makes sure that the competition is strong and competitive. All practices and home games are held at Wake Forest high school. The Titans organization has 11 football teams total. They consist of 1 flag, 1 Tiny Mite, 3 Mitey Mite, 2 Jr. Peewee, 2 Peewee, 1 Jr. Midget and 1 Midget team. A child is allowed to be on the team if they meet the age and weight requirement. However, there are some rules about weight in the Pop Warner football leagues. Some children may meet the age require-ment, but may have developed and matured a little bit sooner than his peers. If the child does not meet the maximum weight requirement of a certain league. That child may have to move up into a more developed division of the Pop Warner organization.

The Pop Warner organization pushes for a safe environment for everyone involved with the games and practices. All participants whether player, coach, referee, fan etc.. are at these games to enjoy a safe and fun environment. It is the Wake Forest Titans goal to keep this environment at all times during practices and games. However, when it comes down to it the safety of the players is the number one goal of the Wake Forest Titans organization. However, there are always risks with playing a contact sport like football. Different physical injuries can occur while playing football for the Wake Forest Titans. Injuries such as concussions, broken bones and other bumps and bruises are likely to occur when a child deciders to play with this organization. Concussions are a big issue at any level of football, however it becomes an even bigger risk for children that are young and brains have not fully developed. Older more developed brains can return to the playing field much sooner than a young and undeveloped child after a concussion occurs.

According to the Mayo Clinic “Children can develop complications if they return to sports and other activities before a concussion has healed. Another blow to the head while the initial concussion is healing can occasionally result in longer lasting symptoms or more-permanent damage.” However the

Wake Forest Titans push their coaches to teach effective, but also safe blocking techniques to their play-ers. The Pop Warner organization has changed some of its rules to prevent injuries from occurring to players during practice. Two very important rules have been put in place for the Wake Forest Titans, as well as other Pop Warner programs. The first is “No full speed head-on blocking or tackling drills in which the players line up more than 3 yards apart are permitted.” And the second rule is “The amount of contact at each practice will be reduced to a maximum of 1/3 of practice time.” With these rules set in place. It should help to keep the players safe during practice and limit the injury risk for each player.

Safety Measures of the Organization:

The number one goal of the Wake Forest Titans is player safety while on the field. There are many steps and requirements that the players and coaches must follow before stepping out on the football field for their games and practices. Listed below are the protection apparel and other requirements that must be followed to participate in games and practices:

Each player must wear the proper equipment to participate in contact drills. Listed below are the apparel requirements:

i. Concussion tested and approved helmetii. Shoulder pads iii. Tailbone padiv. Knee and thigh pads v. Proper football cleats must be worn with no metal spikes

i. All weight and age requirements must be met so that children are safe and competing with ath-letes their same size. Below is the link to the age and weight requirements given by Pop Warner for participation. http://www.popwarner.com/football/footballstructure.htm

i. Children must undergo a physical by their regular physician to insure that they are healthy enough to play and have no hidden health risks that could be a potential danger to the contact of football.

i. All coaches of the teams must read the “2012 Rule Changes Regarding Practice and Concussion Prevention” so that they are not putting any of their players at risk.

i. All practices must be attended by one person holding a Red Cross Community CPR and a First Aid certification or a National Center for Sports Safety Prepare Certificate of Completion, or by a licensed EMT or volunteer physician.

i. Coaches must take a course in the correct and safe way to tackle and make contact in football. So that they can go back to their teams and teach proper tackling form.

i. Coaches must have all medical forms of players on hand at all times. Just incase something was to happen and a parent was present to tell EMS any previous medical problems with the athlete.

Facility/Equipment Inspection Details:

i. Each coach is required to check all helmets and shoulder pads every 2 weeks to insure that none of the equipment is malfunctioning and is giving players the optimal safety that they deserve.

i. All water equipment used by players should be cleaned after every practice to insure that danger-ous germs are not passed around by participants. Things that would need to be cleaned are block-ing pads, footballs, water bottles etc…

i. It is also required that players practice uniforms and game uniforms are not worn more than twice before washing them and allowing them to participate in them again.

i. For game day safety and security. At all times there will be at least one Raleigh City Police offi-cer at every game. There will sometimes be more than one for extra security.

i. All coaches and teams are required to have First Aid kit with them at all games and practices for any injuries that may occur. They must also have at least one AED if it is ever necessary.

i. At least one coach must have a cell phone on them at all times so that emergency services can be called immediately if necessary.

Special Risks:

The Wake Forest Titans organization knows how big of a risk it is to allow youth to play a physi-cal and contact sport like football. There are multiple different injuries that can take place and there are rules and guidelines set in place by the organization as to when a player can return to the field after in-juries. There will be occasional bumps and bruises, but in some scenarios there are injuries that are far more dangerous to the player’s health and they must be taken more seriously. Concussions are amongst some of the most dangerous injuries that can happen to a young and developing brain. Certain actions must be taken due to the severity of the concussion to allow all players to heal and be safe before return-ing to practices or games, Below are the guidelines that the Wake Forest Titans organization has set in place for these particular injuries.

Concussions/Head Injuries:

- There are three levels of severity for concussions and each one must be handled differently by the organization and the coaches:

- Grade 1 concussion: Symptoms last for less than 15 minutes. There is no loss of con-sciousness: If this type of concussion were to occur to a player in a practice or game the player would be allowed to play or practice in the next scheduled activity, but the player would not be able to participate in the rest of the practice or game that the head injury oc-curred in. The player would also have to see a licensed doctor and that doctor must clear the participant before they will be able to compete again.

- Grade 2 concussion: There is no loss of consciousness, but the symptoms last longer than 15 minutes: If this more serious type of concussion were to occur to a player in a game or practice. That player is required to sit out for at least 2 weeks. The player can attend prac-tices and games, but is not allowed to do any physical activity whatsoever. Once the two weeks is over, the player must be cleared by a licensed doctor before returning to the field.

- Grade 3 concussion: Player loses consciousness, even sometimes for just a few seconds, and the symptoms last longer than 15 minutes. This is the most serious injury that could occur to a young and developing brain. If this type of concussion were to occur to a player in a game or practice. That player is not allowed to compete in games or practices for at least one month. Also, the first two weeks after the injury occurs the player is not allowed to be at games or practices. Once the two weeks is up the player can return to practices and games, but may not participate, only watch. If there is still time left in the season after the one month is over. The player can start practicing and playing again as long as they were cleared to play by a licensed doctor.

Incident/Accident Reporting:

Incidents are likely to occur during a contact sport like football. The Wake Forest Titans have a incident report document that is easily filled out and followed. If there is an incident or accident that oc-curs at a game or a practice. It is the job of the head coach to fill out the document no longer than 30 min-utes after the incident occurs.

After the report is filled out the head coach and the legal guardian of the player must both sign the report to show that they both saw what was written in the report and that it was an accurate representation of what actually happened during the incident. Once they have the report filled out the coach must turn the report in to the Wake Forest Titans organization the next day so that they can process the report and have it in the system as soon as possible. If these steps are not taken correctly by the Wake Forest Titans organization. It could put the entire organization at liability and a possible lawsuit. On the next page is an example of the report that must be filled out during an incident.

Wake Forest Titans Incident/Accident Report:

Personal Information

Name of Participant: ________________________ Date of Birth:__________________

Street Address/City/State/Zip Code: _____________________________________________________

Contact Person: ____________________________ Contact’s Number:____________________

Description of Incident

Date of Injury:___________________ Time Injury Occurred:_________________________

Name of Athlete Affected:__________________________ Date of Birth:___________________

(Circle Yes or No)Hydration Related: Yes or No Was Resuscitation Required? Yes or No AED Device Used? Yes or No

(Circle One)Results of Injury: Died. Hospitalized. Treated and Released.

(Circle One)Type of Injury: Concussion. Cut/Puncture. Fracture. Spinal Injury. Other..

If Other Specify:______________________________________________________________________

Additional Comments of What Happened in the Incident:

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Head Coach Signature:_________________________________ Date:_______________

Legal Guardian Signature:_______________________________ Date:_______________

Emergency Action Plan:

The Wake Forest Titans organization always tries to plan for any type of emergency that could happen while their players are participating in practice or games. This Emergency Action Plan is set in place by the organization to give guidelines and instructions for certain emergencies that may occur.

- Weather Related Emergencies:- Rain/Thunderstorms:

- The Wake Forest Titans allow teams to play and practice in the rain as long as the conditions of the field do not become dangerous for the players.

- If lightning strikes less than 10 miles from the game or practice facility the play-ers must be taken off the field and no activity can resume until there are no strikes within 10 miles after 15 minutes from the last strike.

- There should be one person delegated at each practice or game to keep up with the weather and lightning.

- Dangerous winds can present safety hazards for players, coaches and spectators. If the wind gusts get any higher than 25 mph all activity must stop until the wind speeds decrease.

- Snow/Freezing Rain:- The Wake forest Titans allow teams to play and practice as long as the conditions

on the field do not become dangerous for the players.- Practice and games may take place if there is less than 2” of snow accumulation

on the ground. - If any frozen precipitation falls other than rain during a practice or a game all ac-

tivity must stop immediately and will not be able to resume.

- Physical Injury Emergencies:

- All unexpected emergency injures must be handled by these guidelines that are listed be-low

- There must be an assigned person at every game or practice who is chosen to dial 9-1-1 in case of a serious life threatening emergency.

- Each team must have a trainer who will initially tend to the injured player. This trainer must have all of the players Emergency Treatment Authorization Cards. (ETAC)

- All coaches and trainers must know where the nearest treatment facility is lo-cated.

- The commissioner of the league is delegated to meet the paramedic at the gate to allow them access on to the field and the commissioner leads the paramedics to the injured player.

- The team parent is chosen to call parents of injured child if that guardian is not at the practice or game in which the injury occurs.

- Only the parents or the ambulance can take a child to receive treatment, not a coach. Unless, the injury is life threatening and then the appropriate action should take place.

- It is the head coach's job to document all information related to the incident.

- Heat Related Emergencies:

- Heat-related emergencies are progressive conditions caused by overexposure to heat. Heat emergencies fall into three categories of increasing severity: heat cramps, heat ex-haustion, and heatstroke.

- Signals of Heat Related Illness:

- Early Stages:- Profuse Sweating - Fatigue - Thirst - Muscle Cramps

- Later Stages:- Headache/Dizziness - Weakness and Lightheadedness - Cool, Moist Skin - Nausea and Vomiting

- Emergency Response to Heat Related Incidents:

- Follow basic First Aid.- Move the athlete to a cool area. - Take off all equipment and safety gear.- Remove sweaty and wet clothing.

- Fan athlete to cool body temperature. - If conscious, give water.- If unconscious, call 9-1-1 immediately

- If the athlete refuses water, vomits, or starts losing consciousness

- Send someone to call 9-1-1 immediately.- Contact parent or guardian if not already present. - Place athlete on his side - Hose down athlete to try and cool body temperature- Use ice or cold packs to help with body temperature. Place on wrists, ankles,

growing and neck. - Continue to check breathing and pulse.

Travel Policy:

- Registered individuals:

- The Wake Forest Titans organization does have some travel policies that must be followed by coaches, guardians and players. For the most part, guardians will bring players to and from games and practices.

- All guardians must make a list of people that are allowed to pick up their player from games or practices. If someone shows up at a game or practice and tries to take a child with them that is not registered on the sheet that child will not be al-lowed to leave the property for legal reasons.

- Bus to Games:

- If parents cannot take players to their game for any reason. There will be a bus at the Wake Forest Titans’ practice facility 2 hours before game time.

- Only players can ride on the bus to games, no parents or siblings. - If the child is riding the bus. The guardian must sign them up to take the bus the

week before the game. This allows the Titans to plan for how many players they will have on the bus.

- If only 1 or 2 player sign up for the bus. The Titans will not take a bus to those games.

- Those players must find alternative forms of transportation to the games (ex. ride with a teammate's family)

Instruction and Supervision:

The Wake Forest Titans number 1 goal is to create a fun and memorable experience for players and coaches. While creating this environment, the Titans also want to create an environment that is safe and provides good instruction of how to play the game of football safely and correctly.

Coaches are required to provide supervision to prevent dangerous risks from occurring in two ways:

i. General Supervision: Oversight of all events and areas during practice or games ii. Specific Supervision: Oversight of specific skills being performed in pracitces or games

The coaches supervision starts when the first player arrives at practice or a game and does not end until the last player leaves. If the head coach has to step away from his supervision responsibilities for any reason. There must be another coach standing by to take his position. There must always be two coaches present at all times.

List of plans/actions in place to constantly have correct supervision and instruction:

i. The athletes’ maturity, age, size, weight, conditioning and skill should all be taken into place when deciding how much supervision is required

ii. Supervision of all players when they are doing activities related to football including:- Putting on protective gear before practices and games- Warming up - Practice drills- Cooling down- Receiving treatment and medical help for injuries - Walking to and from practices facilities

iii. Plan and direct all practicesiv. Increase level of supervision by all coaches when risk for injury increases v. Show and teach appropriate tackling techniques vi. Make sure players use facilities, fields that they are designated to usevii. Be alert of changing weather conditions that could bring injury to playersviii. Create and know how to implement a medical emergency response procedure ix. Document all accident and incident reports

Providing Proper Instruction:

- All coaches are responsible for instructing players on proper techniques and skills, game rules, safety rules, and sportsmanship.

- It is important to instruct and understand the rules, skills and strategies of the game it is also important to know how to show how these skills and techniques are carried out.

- There is a proper way to instruct athletes on new skills: i. Introduce the skill to your athletes

ii. Demonstrate the skilliii. Explain the skill iv. Pay close attention to athletes as they practice the newly taught skill

Methods to Reduce Abuse and Molestation Claims:

The Wake Forest Titans organization expects that all of its coaches will carry themselves in a professional and respectful manner. Any abuse by any coach will not be tolerated and that coach will be terminated immediately. There are a lot of steps set in place by the Wake Forest Titans to prevent Abuse or Molestation claims.

Each coach should know the types of abuse and how to avoid each one: i. Physical ii. Sexual iii. Emotional iv. Verbal

Discrimination of any sort is not tolerated by the Wake Forest Titans. Coaches must never dis-criminate against:

- Race - Religion- Ethnicity - Gender - Disability (unless the disability will put the child in danger if he plays)

Emotional and verbal abuse is strictly prohibited. Such abuse could be things as:

- Threats- Mocking - Insults - Making offensive statements about the athlete or parents - Demeaning gestures or behaviors.

All coaches must know and understand that physical contact can be misinterpreted. Little to no physical contact should be made with players unless the coach is teaching a specific skill, treating a in-jury, or to congratulate an athlete (ex. High Five) When teaching a skill as little contact should take place and a player should never feel like he is being over powered or intimidated.

Employment Guidelines:

The Wake Forest Titans are look to hire men and women coaches with high character and that want to help young athletes develop their skills and passion for the game of football. Coaches have many responsibilities in this position. This position comes with a lot of responsibility. When parents drop their children off at practices or games they expect that their children will return in the same, if not better con-dition than when they dropped them off. There are 9 key responsibilities that each coach for the Wake Forest Titans must accomplish:

i. Properly Plan Activitiesii. Provide Appropriate Supervision to Athletes iii. Provide Proper Instruction on Certain Skills iv. Provide Adequate and Proper Equipment (Most given by the organization)v. Evaluate for Injuries to Athletes vi. Provide a Safe Physical Environment vii. Match Certain Athletes According to Size, Skill, Ability etc…viii. Warn of Inherent Dangers to Players ix. Initiate Medical Response Plans

If any of the responsibilities cannot be carried out by coaches then they will not be allowed to coach for the Wake Forest Titans organization.

Employment Process: Each year we have multiple people that sign up to coach for the Wake Forest Titans. Each of

these potential coaches must go through a long hiring process before we allow them out on the field with our athletes. We do not discriminate on hiring based on race, gender, religion or economic standing. If you are a great football coach we will give you the opportunity to coach.

The process to become a coach for the Wake Forest Titans is listed below:

i. Apply to become a coach either online or apply on a hard copy and bring it to the Wake Forest Titans hiring manager.

ii. All applicants have extensive background checks done to insure that they do not have a criminal background.

iii. Once background checks clear. We then select two or three applicants for the coaching position that seem to be the best fit.

iv. Each applicant is then interviewed by the commissioner of the league and then he selects two applicants from the three.

v. The two applicants are then given a week to study the rules/regulations of the Wake For-est Titans organization and are then tested on their knowledge.

vi. Once the results for the test are in. There is a final interview with the two applicants.vii. From the final interview and test grade we choose who we think is the best option for our

coaching position.

Training Programs for Coaches:

Before we hire our coaches we insure that they have a good level of knowledge of football and the proper techniques of the game. All of our coaches before they are hired must know first aid, CPR and EAP training. If coaches return the next year to coach again they must renew all of their training in first aid, CPR, and EAP before being allowed to coach the players again.

We also require all of our coaches to go to and learn about a program called “Heads Up Football Coaches Training”. The goal of this training session is to insure that all of our coaches are certified by USA football on how to teach and instruct athletes on proper blocking and tackling techniques. It is the Titans goal to teach safe and effective football techniques and we think through this great program we ef-fectively teach our coaches how to instruct our players about techniques safely.

We also require coaches training through the NCSS PREPARE course online sports safety educa-tion. Wake Forest Titans require that all practices and games be attended by someone registered in CPR and First Aid certification OR a National Center for Safety PREPARE Certificate of completion. Through this course it allows our coaches to be that person that must be present. It gives our coaches one less thing to worry about when they already know they are certified. This course is aimed at teaching coaches on how to prevent injuries, how to recognize symptoms of dangerous conditions and how to respond in emergency situations. The PREPARE level 1 course covers 7 areas:

i. Emergency Planning

ii. Heat and Cold Illnesses iii. Emergency Recognition iv. Medical considerations and Pre-Existing Conditions v. Principles of First Aid vi. Head, Neck and Facial Injuries vii. Warm-up and Cool Down

WAKE FOREST TITANS PARTICIPANT AGREEMENT AND GUARDIAN WAIVER

Section I: Parent or Legal Guardian Completion Only:

Legal Name of Participant:

Last:_____________________ First:______________________ Middle:_______________________

Address:_______________________________ City:________________ State:_____ Zip:__________

Telephone:_______________________ Date of Birth:__________________

School:___________________________________________ Grade Level:_____________________

Grade Point Average:___________ Alternative Form Participant:______________(Must meet Scholastic Fitness Requirement of 2.0/70% or else fill out the Scholastic Eligibility Form or Home School Eligibility Form).

Name of Parent/Legal Guardian:_______________________________________

Relationship to Athlete:________________________________________________________

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Name:_________________________________ Relationship to Athlete:_________________________

Home Telephone:___________________________ Cell Phone:______________________________

2015 Parental/Guardian Permission and Waiver Participant Name:_____________________________

1. PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE: I the parent/guardian of the above-named participant hereby acknowledge that my child is in good

general health and I give my approval for my child to participate in any and all Wake Forest Titans activi-ties, including transportation to and from the activities by a licensed driver with proof of insurance. . I un-derstand, hereby give my approval for, and assume any and all risk of my child's use of various playing surfaces and conditions, including, but not limited to, dry and wet natural and artificial grass, hard dirt, and/or mud.

2. INTENT TO INFORM: I acknowledge that I am fully aware of the potential dangers of participation in any sport and I

fully understand that participation in football may result in serious injury, paralysis, permanent disability, and/or death. I fully acknowledge and understand that protective equipment does not prevent all partici-pant injuries, and therefore I do hereby waive, release, absolve, indemnify, and agree to hold harmless the coaches or the Wake Forest Titans organization.3.EMERGENCY MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION:

I hereby grant my permission for any and all emergency medical/dental treatment and/or first aid to be administered to my child/participant, including authorizing any medical treatment facility/hospital to administer emergency treatment, for any illness/injury/accident.

4.EQUIPMENT RESPONSIBILITY: I agree to assume full responsibility for any and all equipment/uniforms loaned to the above

named participant and I agree to promptly return, upon request, the uniform and other equipment issued to the above named participant in as good condition as when received except for normal wear and tear.

5. SCHOLASTIC VERIFICATION:

I hereby agree that either my child is scholastically fit, or that I have completed the scholastic eli-gibility form or the Home School Eligibility Form and will adhere to all rules and regulations therein.

6. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: I hereby stipulate that I have been advised by Wake Forest Titans Organization of my non refund-

able charge.

7. COMMUNICATION AND PROMOTIONAL CONSENT: As a condition to my child’s participation, I hereby consent to receive communications via email

and mail from the Wake Forest Titans. Furthermore, I hereby grant to Wake Forest Titans the absolute right and permission to make, reproduce, broadcast or otherwise use participant’s name and likeness, any photograph, films, videos, recordings, or other depictions or images in whatever form or media they may choose.

8 .ADULT CODE OF CONDUCT: In order to uphold the goals of Wake Forest Titans and ensure that all participants have the bene-

fit of a safe and fun learning environment, all parents, guardians and other adults and attendees of Wake Forest Titans’ events, including but not limited to practices, competitions, and banquets, must behave ac-cordingly in a respectful, courteous and sportsmanlike manner at all times.

9. RULES & REGULATIONS: In consideration of participation in Pop Warner activities and by my signature below, I hereby

stipulate that I have read, fully understand and voluntarily agree to be bound by all of the above and that all information provided by me is true and accurate to the fullest extent of my knowledge.

Signature of Parent/Guardian:______________________________ Date:__________________

Signature of Athlete:_____________________________________ Date:__________________