Coach's Corner

Coach's Training

All SCAA Team Managers and Coaches understand that coaching youth is great responsibility and the objectives of PONY Baseball & Softball, Inc. and Southern Chesapeake Athletic Association (SCAA) are to nurture the youth of the community in the ideas of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, and courage so they may be stronger and happier youths that will grow to be good, clean, and healthy adults. In addition SCAA intends to provide the best possible baseball and softball education while making the game enjoyable for them to play. By participation in PONY Baseball & Softball and all other programs at SCAA, all Team Managers, Coaches, and League Volunteers are obligated to comply with these objectives and strive at all times to set a safe and positive example for our youth and lead to their development as good citizens and athletes.

All Team Managers, Coaches, & League Volunteers are identified as a "Mandated Reporter" and are required to complete the training below. Mandated reporters are certain persons who are identified in the Code of Virginia as having a legal responsibility to report suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation. The purpose of mandated reporting is to identify suspected abused and neglected children or vulnerable adults as soon as possible so that they can be protected from further harm. Child Protective Services (CPS) and Adult Protective Services (APS) cannot act until a report is made. Mandated reporters play a critical role in preventing any future harm to children and vulnerable adults.

All other training below should be completed by Team Managers, Coaches, & League Volunteers as soon as they can to ensure the safety of players at SCAA.

Mandated Reporter Training (Required)

All SCAA Team Managers, Coaches & League Volunteers are required by Virginia Statute to report any suspected cases of child abuse and neglect via Section § 63.2-1509
Being Mandated Reporters, SCAA Coaches are required to report suspected abuse within 24 hours of discovery and must complete the training.

Link to the required training all SCAA Coach's must complete is below.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training

Sudden cardiac arrest is the leading cause of death in the U.S., taking the lives of more than 350,000 people each year. It is also the No. 1 killer of student athletes. Statistics like these are the reason that SCAA & NAYS provides this important heart health training which features valuable information on Sudden Cardiac Arrest, the types of conditions that cause it, the warning signs that lead to it, and the steps to take during this life-threatening emergency.

Concussion Training

You can enhance the safety of the athletes under your care by completing the CDC HEADS UP Concussion in Youth Sports Training, which features important information on how to talk about, prevent, and respond to concussions. Your actions can help create a safe environment for young athletes so that they can stay healthy, active, and thrive – both on and off the playing field.

Anti-Bullying Policy

SCAA's Anti-Bullying Policy is intended to guide all Team Managers, Coaches, Volunteers, Parents, Guardians, and Spectators in their behavior at SCAA. Bullying not only leads to anxiety and low self-esteem in youth who are targeted, but also causes other youth to feel unsafe. Youth of all ages deserve the right to feel safe and supported by everyone at SCAA .

Youth Mental Health Training

This Youth Sports Mental Health Training features a wealth of valuable information from leading sports and licensed psychologists and mental performance experts on key issues affecting athletes of all ages and skill levels. The training covers how to create a caring culture that builds the foundation for speaking to athletes and teams about mental health and how to drive productive conversations about this topic; common struggles young players have, like the fear of failing and pre-game nerves; and different techniques that can be used to help young athletes stay focused and perform better; among many other areas.

Protecting Youth Athletes Training

The Protecting Youth Athletes for Coaches training is provided by Michigan State University. The training focuses on helping coaches recognize signs of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and misconduct, and intervene; gain an understanding of how to support those who may have experienced any of these abusive behaviors; and learn how to help prevent it from happening in the future.  This will detail how to identify potential warning signs of abuse; help develop intervention skills when abuse is recognized; gain a clear understanding of how to support a safe environment for youth in sports; and connect coaches to appropriate resources as necessary.