Let's image that during practice a player fell on the ice and got hurt and no coach was to be seen. Or if two players were on the bench during a game and a player took an inappropriate picture of another player and posted it on social media and again no coach was on the bench the entire time. One of the first questions anyone would ask is, "How could this happen and why was the coach not there to supervise?"
Player supervision is always needed and that is a very clear expectation and our players do a great job not stepping onto the ice until a coach or another screened adult is on the ice as well. But as players, parents, and coaches we need to remind ourselves that that supervision extends beyond the ice and into the locker room as well.
As a part of practice and games, players are expected to dress in the locker room, therefore proper supervision is needed and clear expectations need to be established. Some may believe that players are ok to be in the locker room by themselves and this is their time, or perhaps one feels that they are old enough and we don't need to "babysit" them anymore. But this is not the expectation. If players are under the age of 18, then there needs to be proper supervision by a screened adult associated with the team. If the same situations described above happened in an unsupervised locker room, then we would be asking the same questions and legal issues may also be involved. Supervision is a must!
Here are some reminders on locker room expectations:
1. A screened adult, manager, or coach must always be supervising the locker room. Supervision consist of being aware and in the room or just outside the locker room so one could hear and enter if needed. It is always better to be in the room, but just outside the room comes into play when there is an issue of privacy, like a male coach of an all girls' team. The team does need privacy to change before the coach can enter. This is when an ear next to a slightly propped door out is beneficial.
2. Players are not to have their phone in use while in the locker room. The reasoning behind this expectation is that we don't want any players taking any pictures. If a picture was taken and a player was dressing in the background, that would be horrible thing even if it was unintentional. The law is very clear on this issue therefore phone use is prohibited. If players want to listen to music via head phones, then have them set their playlist before they enter the room so their phone is out of sight and view. As a coach, if you want to designate a player to play music to a group Bluetooth speaker that is fine. Again, just make sure that you pick only one player and that that player is directly supervised. Please set the playlist and leave the phone alone.
3. Also make sure that music volume is not too load and that the song choices are appropriate. We have to always consider that other teams are also using locker rooms next door and sound quickly travels. Please be respectful of those around you.
4. When are parents allowed in the locker room? For U12 teams and older, parents are not allowed unless they are screened. For younger players, it is fine to be in the room to assist your player with gear and supervision. We just ask that you don't make the locker room a social hangout space or where the whole family comes in. Please feel free to assist your son or daughter, but once done assisting please do exit the locker room assuming supervision is clearly established.
5. There may be additional expectations that each individual team has also established, so please to fully respect and support those expectations. But always, supervision is important.
I know the above may seem a bit petty or overly detailed. But we cannot stress enough the importance of supervision. It is a major responsibility of coaching and managing and expectations need to be clear and followed. Please do your best, and remember everything seems fine when all goes well. But once something bad happens, then that is when supervision comes into question.
Thanks for your support.
