Coach guide: season-long operating plan

Preseason

• Confirm required sports physicals.
• Collect emergency contacts through the approved process.
• Confirm allergies, conditions, restrictions and action plans.
• Tell families how to report pain and symptoms.
• Identify who will record workload and rest.
• Complete the emergency action-plan worksheet for each venue.

In-season

• Coordinate with every other team the athlete plays for.
• Follow workload limits and required rest.
• Manage heat and stop activity when warning signs appear.
• Make symptom reporting safe and expected.
• Never use a workload ceiling as a target.

Offseason

• Protect real time away from the primary sport skill.
• Restore movement and mobility.
• Develop total-body strength and athleticism.
• Encourage other sports and enjoyable activity.

The family's year-round role

• Report every team, lesson and event.
• Protect rest, sleep, nutrition and time away from the primary skill.
• Report pain, fatigue and performance changes early.
• Follow medical restrictions and return-to-play instructions.

Referral pathway

Use SLMA Sports Medicine for questions about sports injuries, throwing pain, return-to-play concerns and sports medicine appointments. Call 985-262-1639. Call 911 for life-threatening symptoms rather than the routine appointment line.

Program rule: one athlete has one total workload, even when recreation, travel, school, lessons and showcases overlap.