We have assembled a two-page document administrators can use to direct coaches toward professional development opportunities that will help address the primary areas of athlete safety and allow your coaches to fulfill the legal requirements of the State of Tennessee.

The information below highlights the areas which are critical in ensuring the health and safety of student athletes as well as maintaining compliance with Tennessee state law.

Safe Stars Initiative

Safe Stars is a collaboration between the Tennessee Department of Health and the Vanderbilt Youth Sports Health Center.

The Safe Stars Initiative recognizes youth sports leagues throughout Tennessee for providing the highest level of safety for their young athletes. Safe Stars consists of 3 levels: Gold, Silver, and Bronze, and involves implementation of policies around topics such as concussion education, weather safety and injury prevention.

Safe Stars’ goal is to provide resources and opportunities for every youth sports league to enhance their safety standards. The criteria for achieving recognition as a Safe Stars league has been developed by a committee of health professionals dedicated to reducing sports-related injuries among youth.

Emergency Preparedness

It is critical that each team have its own Emergency Action Plan written specifically for each practice and competition venue. A free, 20 minute course called “Anyone Can Save a Life” has been developed by the Minnesota High School League which will enable a team to create its own plan utilizing the resources and personnel that are specific to that team. While there is currently no requirement for youth sports coaches to develop their own emergency action plans for their team, TSSAA strongly recommends that all coaches and sponsors of activities complete the Anyone Can Save a Life Training at the beginning of each sports season.

Heat Illness Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a study in 2010 that stated heat illness is the leading cause of death and disability among high school athletes. According to the CDC, there are more than 9,000 heat illnesses among high school athletes annually.

The Safe Stars Act passed by the Tennessee Legislature requires annual training on Heat Illness prevention for all youth sports coaches whether the sport takes place indoors or outdoors. Completion of the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Heat Illness Prevention Course before working with students each season will satisfy this requirement.

Concussion Information

Tennessee law and TSSAA policy mandates that certain procedures be followed when signs, symptoms, and behaviors consistent with a concussion are observed in practice or competition. Tennessee state law also requires annual training on concussions for all youth sports coaches. Educational materials must also be reviewed and signed by each student athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian. The Tennessee Department of Health has also developed a set of guidelines for students who have suffered a concussion as they transition back to the classroom.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Information

Tennessee law mandates annual training for any youth sports coaches regarding Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Athletes. Educational materials must also be reviewed and signed by each student athlete and his/her parent or legal guardian. The availability of Auto External Defibrillators (AEDs) at each venue where practice and competition take place is an integral part of the effectiveness of the response when a cardiac emergency occurs. A link to a crowdfunding site which may allow your school to place more AEDs at the site of practices and competitions can be found below.

Smart Heart Act

The Smart Heart Act requires each public and nonpublic school serving grades nine through twelve to maintain an automated external defibrillator (AED) that is accessible during the school day and during all school athletic activities. Additionally, these schools must establish, review, and annually practice an athletics emergency action plan for responding to students who sustain cardiac arrests or other life-threatening injuries while participating in school athletic activities. The legislation also ensures that appropriate personnel on and off the field, including coaches, are trained in CPR and AEDs.

CPR/AED Training

The Safe Stars Act passed by the Tennessee Legislature requires annual training for the use of CPR and AEDs for all youth sports coaches. CPR training is not the same as CPR certification. School districts may choose to exceed the training requirement by certifying coaches from a national certifying organization such as the American Heart Association or American Red Cross. Whether receiving training or certification, it is paramount that coaches know how to respond during SCA. High-quality CPR delivered early during an emergency saves lives! CPR/AED training should align with best practice and at a minimum include:

  • Basic physiology of SCA
  • Signs and symptoms of SCA
  • How to perform CPR with an AED (child and adult)
  • Cardiac Emergency Preparedness (Response Plan/Flow)
  • At the conclusion of training, participants should be able to:
    • Recognize signs/symptoms of SCA
    • Know how to perform hands-only CPR (skills portion)
    • Know how to use an AED (skills portion)
    • Know how to activate the Cardiac Emergency Response Team (CERT)

Training should be conducted by a qualified health care professional (e.g., school nurse). Project ADAM provides SCA recognition and CPR/AED training at no cost to schools. Training resources can be found on the Safe Stars Initiative webpage.

Lightning Guidelines

When severe weather is forecast, protocol and chain of command for suspension of play should be discussed in the pregame meeting with the officials. These guidelines provide a default policy to those responsible or sharing duties for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of practices and contests based on the presence of lightning or thunder.

Tobacco Policy

The use of tobacco in any form by coaches, officials, and athletes is prohibited at TSSAA-sanctioned events.

TSSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee

The TSSAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee was established to review current and potential sports medicine policy and proposals and make recommendations to the TSSAA Board of Control on all issues related to the health, wellness and injury reduction of member schools’ student-athletes.