The role of the football coach covers a vast range of responsibilities. One of the most important roles of the coach is to provide an environment that does not predispose the player to any unnecessary injury.

An effective coach must be concerned with the prevention, immediate care and rehabilitation of injuries.

Coaches must be aware of warm-up routines, and methods used to prepare the body for competition. They should also ensure that all players have the appropriate gear, such as mouthguards, available to avoid injury.

Players must be taught the correct way to perform the body contact skills of the game, and how to protect themselves from serious injury.

Any player who is injured during a game must have their injury dealt with immediately and in a professional manner. It is important that experts make a diagnosis, and if there is any doubt about the seriousness of a players injury then he should be kept off the ground.

A coach must ensure that a player undergoes the correct rehabilitation from injury before he returns. It is important that communication occurs between player, coach and a medical expert before a decision is made regarding a player's return.