Coaches

Resources for

Athletes depend on their coaches to learn, play, and have fun. Coaches have an important role in the healthy development of their young athletes. To learn more specific information about coach related topics see our articles below.

Coaching Courses

Volunteer Coaches

The Rutgers SAFETY Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today’s Youth ™) is a three-hour program that meets the “Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs” (N.J.A.C. 5:52) and provides partial civil immunity protection to volunteer coaches under the “Little League Law” (2A:62A-6 et. seq.)

Introduction

On May 12, 1986, New Jersey became the first state in the nation to pass legislation which protects volunteer athletic coaches, managers, and officials from lawsuits. Commonly referred to as the “Little League Law” (2A:62A-6 et. seq.), this legislation extends partial civil immunity to volunteers who have attended a “safety orientation and training skills program.”

Since 1986, the Youth Sports Research Council, in cooperation with the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association (NJRPA) has trained more than 250,000 volunteer coaches in New Jersey.

Implementation

Youth sports agencies can choose to have the YSRC provide a Clinician to conduct the Clinic ($200 administrative fee), or they can train their own instructors. Any volunteer can learn to teach the Rutgers SAFETY Clinic by attending a 5-hour Clinician’s workshop (.5 CEU). Clinicians are provided with all the instruction and tools necessary for conducting the Clinic “on site” at their convenience.

Following completion of the SAFETY Clinic, the host agency is sent a roster of the volunteer coaches attending the clinic. Thereafter, the YSRC will certify any coach’s attendance upon request.

Clinic Schedule

Click Here to view Upcoming Schedule…

Target Icon

Objectives

In accordance with the stipulations in the Little League Law, the Rutgers SAFETY Clinic:

  • helps coaches minimize the risk of injury to young athletes
  • provides information about fundamental coaching concepts which enhances volunteer coaches’ effectiveness
  • protects volunteer coaches from civil lawsuits

Clip Board Icon

Topics

The curriculum for the Rutgers SAFETY Clinic is based upon the “Minimum Standards for Volunteer Coaches’ Safety Orientation and Training Skills Programs” (N.J.A.C. 5:52).

The topics include:

  • Legal Aspects of Coaching
  • Psychological Aspects of Coaching
  • General Coaching Concepts
  • Training and Conditioning Athletes
  • Medical/First Aid Aspects of Coaching

Highlighter Icon

Highlights

The Rutgers SAFETY Clinic Attendees receive:

  • The Coaches’ Reference Manual (5th edition)
  • The Rutgers SAFETY Clinic Certification Card
  • Permanent registration with YSRC on online database (.3 CEU)

Resources for Coaches

What is the Best Coaching Style?

What is the Best Coaching Style?

Coaching styles range from the classic “drill sergeant” style associated with Vince Lombardi to a hands-off approach described as laissez faire. Which style is best depends upon a number of factors including the coach’s personality, why the athletes have chosen to participate, the maturity of the athletes, and the specific task to be taught.

read more
Learning to Learn

Learning to Learn

Effective coaches not only teach sports skills, they also help young athletes learn strategies for faster learning. Many athletes learn slowly because they lack skills relating to how to learn. Effective coaches try to develop progressions that teach young athletes the required skills for efficient learning.

read more