In a world in which every little advantage can be the difference between winning and losing, we understand why many coaches are quite secretive about their practice plans.
But there’s one thing that every coach should make very, very public — an emergency action plan.
It’s a fact that every assistant coach should have it. Every player should have it. Every parent should have it, too. And because ultimately everyone’s safety is our highest priority, it’s a good idea to share emergency action plans with visiting team officials, too.
What does an emergency action plan entail? It’s basically a document that spells out the procedures and responsibilities for the most likely emergencies — and even some not-so-likely ones. According to the National Center for Sports Safety, such a plan should be well-read, well-disseminated and include instructions for everything from injuries and sudden medical emergencies to natural disasters and (unfortunately in this day and age) violence.
Each plan should include:
The layout of the facility. This includes access points and the location of medical supplies.
Equipment. In the event of an emergency, do you have flashlights? Fire extinguishers? Food? Where will it be located and who will be responsible for issuing it?
Support personnel. Who is qualified to take on certain responsibilities in the event of an emergency? Where will they be? How can they be contacted?
Communication. 911 is just a start. It’s important to have a plan of action for contacting players, families, coaches and superiors.
Follow-up. After the emergency is over, someone needs to be responsible for completing paperwork, reviewing lessons learned and preparing for the next emergency.
Don’t let unforeseen circumstances knock you off your game. Think ahead and make sure a plan is in place.