A hazard is different from a risk. A hazard is something that is dangerous to you, causing possible harm or injury to a person. A risk is a chance of harm or injury actually occurring. When planning a sports session it is the teacher/instructor to keep hazards at a minimum, and if any hazards cannot be eliminated then it is the teachers/instructors job to point it out so it can be avoidable. Keeping participants safe from hazards and risks is the main priority of a sports leader.
Risks and hazard from people
These are created by the participants taking part in a physical activity;
Food
Eating food during physical activity is not generally advisable because it can cause a decline in performance, and may lead to indigestion, a stitch or even choking. Even eating just before participating in any sport activity has started is a hazard as if your bouncing and running around it would make you sick-therefore causing a hazard of slipping for any other participants included.
Behaviour
When a sporting activity involves other people, for example, when you are playing a team game, it is important that the other participants do so responsibly and safely. Injuries can be sustained when opponents perform dangerous tackles or behave in any other inappropriate ways. if somebody is messing around when a sporting activity is being performed it may not only put them in danger but others e.g javelin is being throw and somebody is playing were it is being throw when a teacher has specifically told them that it is an out of bounds area for safety reasons, they will be in the hit range of the javelin
Inappropriate warm-up or cool-down
Failing to warm-up or cool-down properly increases the risk of a performer sustaining an injury. Three phases should be included in a warm up; a cardiovascular phase that raises the heart rate and gets the blood flowing quicker, a stretching phase that improves the flexibility of the muscles, and a joint mobilization phase that loosens and increases the range of movements at the joints. A cool down should have two phases: a gentle aerobic phase, which gives the heart a chance to gradually slow down before returning to its resting rate and the muscles a chance to relax, and a stretching phase which stops the build up of lactic acid in the muscles and helps prevent immediate cramping or soreness the following day. If your running and you suddenly have pulled a muscle when running it would cause serious damage and could put others in danger if you fall in front of someone else.
Jewellery
Jewellery should not be worn when taking part in any sporting activity because it can potentially cause injury to the wearer and others around them. For example, if a basketball player is wearing a bracelet an opposing player could get their finger caught in it when attempting to steal the ball. Earrings are a good example of why not to wear jewellery- Playing netball the ball could get caught/slam into your earring causing your ear to bleed or worse-your earring rips out some of your ear.
Physical fitness
Being physically fit can help reduce the risk of the injury because the body is better prepared for any high impact or strenuous demands on it during physical activity.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol before taking part in sporting activities can be very dangerous for the participants and others. It can have many negative effects that include;
-Loss of control, including the ability to concentrate, react quickly and maintain good balance
-Increased fatigue, which in turn affects the level of performance
-Masking pain that may be indicating that injury is taking place
-Increased heat loss
When your participating in rugby after drinking alcohol before playing your reactions will be slower, if someone tries to tackle you you may not have the time to move out the way.
Chewing gum
Gum should not be chewed during physical activity because it could be swallowed and cause choking. Example; if you are playing basketball and chewing gum the ball could come towards you at any time and cause you to swallow it quickly from shock- therefore may make you choke.
