Trainer’s Responsibilities

Source HTCP Participants Manual

As a hockey trainer, your primary responsibility is to ensure that safety is the first priority at all times during al hockey-related activities, both on and off the ice.  You must play a leadership role in enhancing the safety of players and all others involved with amateur hockey.

The following are some responsibilities, which the hockey trainer should assume:

• Implementing an effective risk management program with your team, which strives to prevent injuries and accidents before they happen.

• Taking on a proactive role in identifying and minimizing or eliminating risks during all activities and if ever in doubt, erring on the side of caution.

• Promoting and reflecting the values of Fair Play and instilling these values in all participants and others involved in amateur hockey.

• Conducting regular checks of players’ equipment to ensure proper fit, protective quality and maintenance and advising players and parents regarding the purchase of protective equipment.

• Promoting proper conditioning and warm-up techniques as effective methods of injury prevention.

• Maintaining accurate medical history files on all players and bringing these to all games and practices.

• Maintaining a fully stocked First Aid Kit and bringing it to all games and practices.

• Implementing an effective Emergency Action Plan with your team and practicing it regularly to ensure all involved understand their roles.

• Recognizing life-threatening and significant injuries.

• Managing minor injuries according to the basic injury management principles and referring players to medical professionals when necessary.

• Recognizing injuries, which require a player to be removed from action, referring players to medical professionals and co-coordinating return to play.

• Promoting a healthy lifestyle with all hockey participants by being a good role model while educating participants regarding hygiene, performance-enhancing substances, drug and alcohol abuse, nutrition and hydration.

• Facilitating communication with players, coaches, physicians, therapists, para-medical personnel, parents, officials and other volunteers regarding safety, injury prevention and players’ health status.