Essay On Coaches

Coaches tend to live beneath a false sense of security that their only responsibility is to

further the athletic capabilities if their players both individually, and collectively. This thought

that coaches have no obligation to defend their athletes’ mental, and physical safety is absurd.

Coaches are not simply caretakers of players, but of people, and therefore hold a moral and legal

duty to create a safe environment of play, in order to prevent, and protect their athletes from

serious head trauma, or other sports related injuries. Many believe that it is solely medical

professionals’ jobs to keep athletes safe, while the majority of sports-world believes that this

responsibility is shared among multiple different influences in

Baugh gives an accurate description of this situation by stating,

“Given the broad spectrum of potential health consequences that can result from multiple

concussions, institutions should take seriously the role of coaches in promoting or discouraging

safe concussion reporting (320).” This basic training is a vital component of the coach’s role in

recognizing, responding to, and reporting concussions and even though it is all that is required,

more extensive training is encouraged.

Coaches play a unique role in the lives of their athletes as they are not only authority

figures, but they are generally seen as role models. Athletes look up to their coaches, and

coaches tend to be an example figure in the eyes of their athletes. They will watch, learn, and act

upon the characteristics that their coach displays. This adds additional responsibility upon the

coaching staff. One study mentions, “Within the athletic environment, coaches and teammates

are particularly influential on athletes’ decisions regarding safety behaviors (Baugh 315).” Baugh

goes on to say, “While there are multiple levels of influence on concussion safety, coaches

Therefore, before an

athletic trainer or other medical professional treats an athletes’ injuries they will need the coach’s

comments, opinions, and observations of what actually occurred. This can ensure that a

responsible review process will take place, and no personal issues between a trainer, and an

athlete can affect it (Courson 134). Also, medical professionals are not responsible for the

manner in which these workouts are held. Coaches are responsible for the length, the difficulty,

the amount of breaks taken, and all other such details. If they are held responsible for the

process, should they not therefore be held responsible for the results? If coaches take credit for

the progress made, and the achievements accomplished, and the goals completed then, should

they not also take credit for the games lost, and the plays wrecked, and the injuries received?

According to Courson, “Shared responsibility for sports safety involves not just the sports

medicine providers, but the athletic administration, coaches, participants, and all associated with

the athletic program (130).” Since the coaches put their players in these situations, when they