Photo Credit: Courtesy of Adam Henig
Every year in parks and recreation departments across the country, coaches and supervisors take center stage as a new group of athletes files in to participate in swimming lessons, basketball camps, gymnastics, and many other adrenalin-pumping activities. Exactly what is expected of a supervisor of these programs? Supervision includes monitoring not only the athletes, but also the facility and equipment, and the environment around the activity (e.g., distractions).
In almost every lawsuit claiming negligence, lack of supervision is included as a cause of injury. Proper supervision is a legal duty for all instructors and perhaps the most crucial factor in a safe environment in the gym.
Stand Where You Can See Everyone
Best practices dictate that all participants remain within the supervisor’s field of vision at all times. In practical terms, the instructor needs to decide how to provide direct supervision (teaching or spotting a skill) while maintaining indirect (visual and auditory) supervision. Typically the instructor selects the activity with the highest risk and maintains closer and more direct supervision there, while other students are independent of the supervisor’s direct attention, but remain within visual contact.