Training injuries: Is the coach or athlete more responsible?

In general - the trainer - the trainer is the one knowledgeable about proper form, proper build up, etc. The trainer gets a degree and license in the subject and therefore is the one qualified to determine the correct regiment for the athlete.

The trainer's job is to push them - but to push them to a point where there would be no injury. Their job is to make the athlete better and stronger, not to injure them.

Now in the case where an athlete hides an injury - it is on them meaning the athlete as s/he did not provide all the necessary information to the trainer. Typically (having daughters who both went on to play at the college level) - the athlete provides a full and detailed list of their medical history including any injuries and when they had them. It only helps the trainer to provide specifics so as not to re-injure and also what areas an athlete may need work on more - for example it was very important for the college trainer to know my daughter had an ACL tear and surgery - they know then what to watch for. This was specifically for basketball, however, both also played softball.

As far as a trainer knowing by seeing - they may but they may not - they may think you are slacking off that particular day, or it may be the type of injury that is harder to detect. The most important thing is honest and open communication if both player and trainer want to develop an athlete for the long term and not for say one particular competition.

One other example I can give - a good coach/trainer will stop an athlete even if an athlete wants to continue if that is what is best for them athletically.

My daughter was playing in a tournament - she fell hit her head. It was in the last quarter. He pulled her and made her sit -- did not let her get back in the game. She insisted she was fine. Between games she was checked out and cleared. It was not worth her having a potential concussion.

Same girl with a different coach - did not pull her when she appeared hurt - that was what resulted in the torn ACL. She did not ever play for him again.

Most athletes will insist they are ok - and want to go back in the game or continue training - that is why you need someone knowledgeable to make the right decision.

Just as you outlined, both are responsible. It is up to the athlete to "know their body", to understand when to make the call and when to tough it out. IMO, the best sport for this is tennis. You see tennis pros quit mid match due to injury all the time. They know that to tough it out risks making the injury significantly worse and extends recovery time. Promoters hate this since it leaves the fans hanging but the athlete knows the risk. I think the coach is more responsible in team sports. Seeing a key player sit can be a serious blow to a team and the coach is the one who takes that hit so coaches can be aggressive about encouraging players to play, maybe when they shouldn't. We are hearing a lot about this with the discussion about concussions in the NFL. Players were coming off the field not knowing where they were but coaches were giving the smelling salts and putting them back in.

Very insightful thanks for that. If a coach/trainer suspects an injury are they able to insist the athlete gets a checkup, xray etc? I'm guessing ultimately it is still the athlete's choice but then I would think the coach/trainer could essentially "walk away" because they wouldn't want to be held responsible for an injury that they saw coming but the athlete wouldn't prevent of their own accord?

Hmm that's quite concerning, pro athletes don't have it easy.

A good coach or trainer would insist and would not work with them until they were cleared.

I know in college and high for example there are certain protocols that an athlete needs to go through before they can practice and play...whether it be a concussion, sprain or something like a torn ACL.

Pro is different and my guess top division colleges are due to the almighty dollar. However there have been significant changes in this.

I personally have been through all this through high school, club ball and now college. Although my kids are D3 college so although competitive... It is not the money as D1...which is good as the entire college life is not 100% sport.