Coaches' Responsibilities
- Accurate registers must be taken.
- Coaches must be aware of where the fire exits are.
- All coaches must hold a recognised coaching qualification and have CRB enhanced disclosure.
- Coaches should wear suitable clothing; no belts, buckles, metal badges or other items that could cause injury. No jewellery.
- Coaches must always bear in mind that safety is their number one priority. ‘Doubles’ (double bouncing) must not be allowed in any trampoline class, including parties. Props (such as balls, parachutes etc.) should only be used in controlled trampoline parties; never in ordinary trampoline classes. Games or competitions involving such things as seeing who can jump the highest must not be played.
- ‘Rough’ games such as British Bulldog must not be used in gymnastic warm ups.
- Any injury incurred in any class (unless extremely minor) must be reported in writing. At William Road and The Keys there is an incident book for this purpose. At other venues a report should be written on the back of the register. Any injury which necessitates hospital treatment requires a written report from the coach to be sent to the club owner / manager.
- Front drops and back drops should never be taught to Downs’ students, even if they are considered to be AAI clear.
- No front drops, back drops or other rotational moves must be allowed during a child’s first warm-up turn on the trampoline – even if they are an experienced trampolinist.
- Coaches must exercise extreme caution when allowing children to perform somersaults, backflips or handsprings unsupported. If there is any doubt about a child’s ability to perform a move in complete safety, manual support must be given.
- Coaches must exercise extreme care when getting out and putting away trampolines. Children must never be allowed to help and must be kept well out of the way. Trampolines should only be wheeled lengthways – never sideways. Trampolines should be unfolded and folded very slowly to avoid the possibility of the trampoline tipping over. It should be remembered that Goliath or competition sized trampolines are less stable than 77A’s and can therefore tip over more easily.
- Children joining a class for the first time should have the safety procedures explained to them. Their first go on a trampoline should be on the one that the coach is teaching on. They should be taught how to get on and off safely, where to jump, where to look, what to do with their arms and how to stop. It should be explained to them how we rotate around the trampolines and how the coach teaches on one and they practice on the others. They should be encouraged to jump gently for the first lesson to lessen the chance of strained muscles or backache.
- Coaches should develop an appropriate working relationship with participants.
- Activities should be appropriate to age, ability and experience of those taking part. Coaches should work methodically through the development schemes.
- Coaches should never punish or belittle a child or care user for poor performance.
- Coaches should develop high standards of behaviour, encourage fair play and be a good role model.
