All coaches, assistants and volunteers who work with players in the VBSL must have Rutgers certification prior to the season.

The Rutgers SAFETY Clinic (Sports Awareness for Educating Today 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 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.

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.

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

Highlights

Individuals attending the Rutgers SAFETY Clinic receive:

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

.