Aug 30 2006
Coaches Trained for Risky Situations
The Anne Arundel Youth Football Association in Maryland has taken youth football security to another level:
All volunteer coaches were required to take a new three-hour class to learn about handling different risky situations that could arise from aggressive parents or youths.
After completing that and being certified as coaches, they wear ID cards on the sidelines, color-coded to represent classes. The county already requires coaches in recreational leagues to undergo criminal background checks.
“It provides the referees with a chance to know for sure who should be on the sidelines,” AAYFA President Rick Peacock said. “We’re just trying to be productive. We’re just trying to make sure we’re doing everything we can to prevent unthinkable things from happening.”
Criminal background checks are part of most organized leagues and are an accepted practice. While not a guarantee, it’s nice that someone is looking into the dads and moms who coach our children. Having been a coach, I think this is a good thing.
Wearing ID badges does not bother me either. I think it is good to know who the “certified/registered” coaches are and who are just loud parents in matching uniforms. Umpires have a tough enough time and this just makes life a little easier.
The scary part of this program is the training in “handling risky situations” that the coaches receive. What does this say about the state of youth sporting programs? Have we gone so far to the dark side that our parents need parenting? Unfortunately, the answer appears to be a resounding yes, we do.
Congratulations to the Anne Arundel Youth Football Association on taking this step. Hopefully, this is the start of trend to regain control of youth sports by the sane.
