Though the risks can be few, coaches have a responsibility to ensure that athletes know, understand and appreciate the risks of floor hockey. The safety and well-being of athletes are the coaches' primary concerns. Floor hockey is typically not a dangerous sport, but injuries do occur. It is the head coach's responsibility to minimize the occurrence of injuries by providing safe conditions.
Establish clear rules for behavior at your first training and enforce them.
Keep your hands and sticks to yourself.
Listen to the coach.
When you hear the whistle, "Stop, look, and listen."
Ask the coach before you leave the court/facility.
When the weather is poor, have a plan to immediately remove athletes from a training facility in inclement weather.
Encourage the athletes to bring water to each training session.
Keep a fully stocked first-aid kit with equipment; restock supplies as necessary.
Train all athletes and coaches on emergency procedures.
Review your first aid and emergency procedures. It is recommended to have someone who is trained in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on or very near to the facility during trainings and games.
Check the facility and remove unsafe objects. Be particularly vigilant when you are playing in cluttered indoor gyms. Remove anything that an athlete might run into.
Warm up and stretch properly at the beginning of each training to prevent muscle injuries. Cool down at the end of each training session.
Train to improve the general fitness level of your athletes. Physically fit athletes are less likely to get injured. Make your trainings active.
Make sure that athletes are of equal ability in games where they play against each other head-to-head (e.g., one-on-one drills).
Require all your athletes to wear mandatory equipment. The use of athletic supporters and fitted mouth guards is recommended.
