Traction Volunteer Coaches Forms

Traction Sportsplex (Traction) encourages our employees, athletes, players, parents, spectators, coaches, umpires/officials to be good role models and to teach all athletes and players great sportsmanship and fair play.

In order to create a positive, fun environment while at our facility and participating in our training or sports programs, Traction would like each employee, athlete, player, parent, coach, and umpire/official to read, understand, and adhere to the following Code of Conduct. 

Code of Conduct / Employee, Athlete, Player, Parent, Spectator, Coach, Official

Be respectful and courteous to athletes, players, spectators, coaches, and umpires/officials;
Do not taunt, ridicule, argue with athletes, players, spectators, coaches, or umpires/officials;
Do not use foul, abusive, or obscene language or gestures;
Do not engage in disruptive or inappropriate behavior;
Inappropriate, offensive, or indecent clothing is prohibited;
Do not misuse or damage any piece of equipment or damage Traction facilities;
Smoking in all areas including buildings and viewing areas is prohibited;
Do not hurt or attempt to hurt any other person;
Do not encourage any behavior that would endanger the well-being of any other person;
Parents or guardians must provide only truthful information/records to trainers and coaches;
Parents must obey the “24-hour Rule” – no discussions with coaches or officials about any issue relating to the team until at least 24 hours after the game has ended.
Additionally, possession of guns, knives, or other weapons are prohibited on Traction property. Any criminal activity, acts or threats of violence may be reported to the proper authorities.

Failure to follow the Code of Conduct could result in the following:

1st Infraction - A warning will be given to rectify the violation;
2nd Infraction - Removal of person(s) involved in the violation from area;
3rd Infraction - Ejection of person(s) involved in the infraction indefinitely from premises.

Traction Sports is committed to ensuring the safety of its athletes and players and has implemented a Concussion Protocol Policy.  Traction follows the LA Revised Statute Title 40:1299.181 through 1299.185 and LHSAA basic concussion rules as follows:

THREE ACTION STEP CONCUSSION PROTOCOL

Education of Coaches, Parents, and Athletes:
Traction recognizes that educating key individuals about prevention and early recognition of concussions remains the most important component of improving the care of an individual with a concussion.
1. Pertinent concussion information will be provided to all coaches, parents, and/or athletes through a concussion information sheet and/or training.
2. Each Head Coach will complete an annual concussion recognition course provided by the Center for Disease Control accessed at https://headsup.cdc.gov/user
3. Removal of Athlete from Play:
An athlete who is believed to have a concussed player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or balance problems) is to be removed from play right away. Ensure that the athlete is immediately evaluated by an appropriate health care professional that day. If one is not available, the Head Coach shall make the determination whether to remove the athlete from play. The athlete’s parents or guardians about the possible concussion will be informed, and, if on hand, the fact sheet on concussions will be given.

Athlete Return to Play:
An athlete can return to play or practice after at least 24 hours and after Traction has obtained written permission from a health care professional. After medical clearance, Return to Play should follow a step-wise protocol with provisions as determined by a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, each licensed to practice in Louisiana as well as a delayed Return To Play upon return of any signs or symptoms.
SAFE PLAY AND TRAINING / MEDICAL EMERGENCY POLICY
If and when appropriate, Traction will:
Limit contact during sports practices.
Implement rule changes and/or ban or limit the use of certain drills or techniques to help reduce the chances of injury.
Check sports equipment often to ensure the equipment fits the athletes well, is in good condition, stored properly, and repaired and replaced based on manufacturer’s instruction.
Encourage parents and athletes to follow this same equipment management.
Traction will maintain an Emergency Action Plan that includes contact information for local emergency medical responders and the location of trauma centers.
 

As a youth-serving organization, Traction Sports considers the safety and well being of the youth in our programs a top priority. Traction defines “youth” as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as anyone between the ages of zero through 17 years. To that end, Traction has adopted the following Policy and Procedures in an effort to provide a safe environment for our coaches, trainers, athletes and their families. We prohibit abuse and strive to proactively address reports of this type of conduct, even if it means that someone will be embarrassed or upset. We want to hear about problems or concerns, and we will strive to act on them in a fair way in accordance with our policies.

Sexual abuse with a youth involves any sexual activity where consent is not or cannot be given. This includes sexual contact that is accomplished by force or threat of force, regardless of the age of the participants, and all sexual contact between an adult and a child, regardless of whether there is deception or the child understands the sexual nature of the activity. Sexual contact between an older and a younger child also can be abusive if there is a significant disparity in age, development, or size, rendering the younger child incapable of giving informed consent.

YOUTH SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY
Coach / Trainer Recruitment Procedures

Coach / Trainer Application and Resume– Every coach or trainer working with youth must complete Traction’s written application / resume that sets forth appropriate background information, requires disclosure of any prior claims or allegations of sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct, and provide the names of at least three individuals as references.
Background Check – All current and potential coaches/trainers/volunteer coaches will be subject to a background check, including appropriate inquiries regarding any previous record of sexual abuse or other unlawful activity. This background check will be conducted on July 1st and are required annually. Coaches/trainers/volunteer coaches beginning after July 1st will still be subject to a background check regardless of the number of days left before July 1st. Background checks will be conducted again July 1st.
Youth Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

An on-line training course must be completed and passed by each coach, trainer, volunteer coach, camp counselor.
A printed copy of the completed and passed course must be turned in to Traction.
This training will be conducted once upon employment.
 The Following is Prohibited Behavior

Use of degrading language or behavior.

Coaches and trainers are responsible for stopping disrespectful behavior between team members, including sexual harassment.
Committing any sexual offense against, or engaging in any sexual contact with, a youth.
Sexual advances, or engaging in a verbal, or a physical sexual nature with a youth.
Leaving a group and moving to an unsupervised area.
Non-related one on one, adult to child, interaction except in an emergency where following this policy would be dangerous to the child.

In an emergency situation, to which this Policy is not able to be adhered, the coach, trainer, or volunteer must contact a representative of the Traction Abuse Committee / Human Resource personnel to inform him of this contact and the reason for it.
If a child is receiving individual instruction or working with a private coach, this activity must be in a public setting rather than behind closed doors. In the event of an unplanned 1-1, the trainer/coach must move to an area where the trainer/coach and child can be seen. If the trainer/coach needs to speak or work with the child alone, stay in an area where both can be seen.
Reporting of Suspected Youth Sexual Abuse

Traction will take all allegations, suspected acts, or evidence of sexual abuse seriously.
The designated Traction Abuse Committee / Human Resource Personnel will act expeditiously and thoroughly on

any and all reported allegations or suspected acts of sexual abuse, any infraction of this Youth Sexual Abuse Policy.
Formal reporting to authorities (Child Protective Services, local law enforcement, or National Children’s Alliance) may be necessary.
Any coach or trainer in question may be temporarily suspended from duties while a query takes place.
The confidentiality of any person (or persons) who makes such a report will be protected to the best of the Traction Abuse Committee’s ability.
Investigation

Traction’s objective is to conduct a fair and impartial investigation;
Every reasonable effort will be made to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible, while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation;
Traction and its officials will report the incident to the necessary authorities as indicated.

BULLYING POLICY
Bullying occurs when there is an imbalance of power and the person who is older, larger, stronger, or more aggressive uses his or her power to control or harm someone in a weaker position.  The person bullying has the intent or goal to cause harm (i.e., the act is not accidental) and the action is usually repetitious.

Prohibited Behavior

Examples of bullying include, but are not limited to:

name-calling,
teasing,
socially spreading rumors,
purposely leaving people out of groups by telling them they are unwanted,
breaking up friendships by threatening others or spreading rumors about a friend,
physically hitting,
punching, or shoving a person,
cyberbullying (using the Internet, email, texting, mobile phones, social media or other digital technologies to do harm to others).
Investigating

Traction’s objective is to conduct a fair and impartial investigation;
Every reasonable effort will be made to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible, while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation;
Violation of this policy could result in suspension or even termination.

Thank you for completing all preliminary forms. 

Don't forget! All Coaches must enter a mandatory background check (links below) as well as complete the NFHS Concussion Training (if not uploaded above). 

BACKGROUND CHECK LINKS:
BASEBALL COACHES BACKGROUND CHECK
SOFTBALL COACHES BACKGROUND CHECK

NFHS CONCUSSION TRAINING

We look forward to a great season, 

Thank you!

Traction Sports Performance
Youth Sports Team