Course 1 of 6
Safety in Sport Basics.
Recognise every form of harm a young athlete can face, how grooming works, and your duty to act. The foundation, and a good place to start.
Every coach · 10 modules · About 3½ hours · Lessons in your language · 4 weeks to finish · ₹999 · certificate valid 12 months
Open to every coach. Courses can be taken in any order, and this is a good place to start.
The 10 modules.
What you will be able to do after each one.
A position of trust
- Explain what safe sport means and why it matters for every coach.
- Describe the power a coach holds, and why trust must be earned.
- Explain how silence let abuse continue in sport, using the Athlete A story.
- Name everyday habits that keep children safe and protect you too.
Every child's right to safe, fun sport
- Say who counts as a child, and why talented teenagers are still children.
- Explain the child's key rights in sport: best interests, a voice, play and rest, and protection.
- Tell child-centred coaching apart from win-at-all-costs coaching.
- Use these rights to make everyday coaching decisions.
Physical harm and neglect
- Recognise physical harm in sport, including punishment exercise and training through injury.
- Recognise neglect, on the ground and at home.
- Notice the signs that a child may be physically harmed or neglected.
- Use discipline without harm, and know what to do when you see harm.
Emotional harm, bullying and ragging
- Tell the difference between demanding coaching and emotional harm.
- Recognise threats, body shaming and slurs as harm.
- Recognise bullying, cyberbullying, hazing and ragging, and explain why consent is no defence.
- Step in and report when you see emotional harm.
Sexual abuse and harassment
- Recognise contact, non-contact and online sexual abuse and harassment of children.
- Explain why a child can never consent, and why abuse of trust is so serious.
- Notice signs and hints that a child may be being abused, including boys.
- Know what to do straight away if you suspect sexual abuse of a child.
Grooming: how abusers get close
- Explain what grooming is and why it is so hard to see
- Describe the steps: choosing a target, winning trust, isolating, secrecy, testing boundaries, control
- Spot grooming red flags in person and online, whoever the adult is
- Act early: write it down, pass it on, and never confront the person yourself
Healthy and unhealthy coach–athlete relationships
- Describe what care and support look like in a coach–athlete relationship
- Recognise patterns of power and control, such as coercion, threats with selection, isolation and manipulation
- Explain why a coach must never have a romantic or sexual relationship with an athlete they coach
- Check your own coaching with three simple questions
Poor practice, misconduct or abuse?
- Describe the three concern levels: poor practice, serious misconduct and suspected crime
- Explain why you pass on every concern without deciding its level yourself
- Explain why suspicion, not proof, is enough to speak up
- Answer the common excuses for staying silent
Your duty to act
- Explain why acting on a concern is every adult's duty, and that suspicion is enough
- Take the first steps when a child tells you something: keep them safe, listen, don't promise secrecy
- Explain why you must never investigate or wait for permission before reporting
- Name who to call in India: 112, the police, 1098 and your Safeguarding Officer
Putting it together
- Recognise physical, emotional and sexual harm, grooming and unhealthy relationships in real situations
- Decide what to do first when you see or hear something worrying
- Report the right way in India, straight away, without investigating or waiting for permission
- Show the judgement of a Safety in Sport certified coach
How a module works.
Every module has the same two steps. Finish all 10 and the certificate is yours.
Watch
Short narrated lessons in your language, about ten minutes. Pause anytime and pick it up later.
Test
A multiple-choice test. Score 80% to pass. Miss it? Review and try again.
The certificate
Earned, dated and checkable.
Complete every module and My Drona issues your Safety in Sport Basics certificate. It carries a unique number and a QR code that opens a public page anyone can check, with no account.
It is valid for 12 months and appears on your Digital Coach Passport with the date you earned it.
The other courses
Every coach · About 3½ hours
Every coach · About 4 hours
Anyone who coaches girls or women · About 4 hours
Every coach · About 3½ hours
Head coaches, academy owners and Safeguarding Officers · About 3½ hours