How To Create a Waiver for Youth Sports (Free Template)
Sierra Swigert Last updated: December 9, 2025
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A legal dispute is one of the last things any youth sports volunteer wants to deal with. Even simple disagreements with parents can turn into time-consuming emails or phone calls that distract from the season.
Adding clear waivers to your registration forms helps prevent confusion and protect your organization. A waiver is simply an agreement where one party gives up certain legal rights, and in youth sports, these forms help families understand the inherent risks of joining a sports team.
Strong waivers reduce legal liability, improve communication, and build trust by showing you’ve planned for safety and set clear expectations. If you’re preparing for a new season or updating your forms, this guide breaks down what to include so you can move forward confidently.
DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this guide is for informational purposes only. Jersey Watch makes no representation that the contents will effectively protect any legal rights or satisfy your legal obligations. To fully protect your legal rights, consult an attorney in your area. These resources are not provided as legal advice and should not be relied on as such.
How waivers protect sports organizations
Whether you run an existing league or are starting a sports organization, it's essential to collect waivers and acknowledgements before the season begins. Clear, written waivers protect your organization and your participants in several key ways:
- Limit your exposure to costly lawsuits related to injuries that may occur during games, practices, and events.
- Make participants and their legal guardians aware of potential risks before they play, such as injuries or illness.
- Create a digital paper trail showing that families consented to participate, which can help prevent disagreements or legal challenges from escalating.
- Reduce liability for volunteers, including coaches, referees, and board members. Even small recreational or volunteer-led organizations need waivers for legal protection.
- Support other safety measures, like background checks, by keeping expectations and key compliance documents stored and easy to reference.
What to include in a waiver for youth sports
There are a few key components to include in any athletic waiver:
- Release of liability: Athletes and their parent/guardian give up the right to take legal action against the organization or individuals involved. This often includes a hold harmless clause, which states that the organization isn’t responsible for certain types of claims or damages.
- Assumption of risk: Athletes and their guardians acknowledge the risk of injury involved in playing sports.
- Indemnification: Some liability waivers include a clause that if a participant takes legal action, the organization may seek reimbursement for legal fees and related costs. This further discourages unnecessary claims.
- Medical treatment: Explains that families are responsible for medical expenses related to participation and may authorize the organization to seek emergency medical care if needed.
- Acknowledgement of understanding: Confirms that the athlete and/or their guardian has read and understood the waiver and agrees to its terms, typically indicated by a guardian signature.
How to write a sports waiver form
Your board should review and update waiver forms during each offseason. It’s also a good time to make sure your existing language is still accurate and reflects your current policies.
Here are a few things to consider before getting started:
- Use simple, direct wording. Avoid legal jargon so athletes and parents can read the waiver in just a few minutes and clearly understand what they’re signing.
- Be specific. Include your organization’s name, event details, and any dates or times relevant to participation.
- Add essential clauses. Include a Release of Liability, an Assumption of Risk tailored to your sport, and a Waiver of Claims to prevent future legal action.
- Include a signature or acknowledgement method. Paper forms may require a physical signature, while online waivers can use a checkbox or e-sign function.
- Confirm local requirements. Before sending out your waivers, consult with an attorney in your area to ensure your forms align with state and local laws.
For more ways to streamline your paperwork, see our guide on the best tools for nonprofit youth sports.
Sports waiver template
The sample sports waiver below is a general template for reference only. Your attorney or legal counsel should direct the final wording and ensure it meets your local requirements. You can also download the template as a PDF.
[ORGANIZATION NAME] GENERAL RELEASE WAIVER
I hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily participating in sports activities organized by [organization name]. I understand that these activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to bodily injury, property damage, and death, which may occur as a result of my participation. Therefore, I agree to the following terms:
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY
I hereby release and forever discharge [organization name], its directors, officers, agents, employees, and volunteers (collectively, the "Released Parties"), from any and all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action that I may have now or in the future, arising out of or related to any loss, damage, or injury, including death, that may be sustained by me or to any property belonging to me, whether caused by the negligence of the Released Parties or otherwise.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
I understand and acknowledge that my participation in the sports activities organized by [organization name] involves inherent risks, including but not limited to bodily injury, property damage, and death. I voluntarily assume all risks associated with my participation in these activities.
INDEMNIFICATION
I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all claims, demands, and causes of action, including attorneys' fees and costs, arising out of or related to my participation in the sports activities organized by [organization name].
MEDICAL TREATMENT
I authorize the [organization name], its agents, employees, and volunteers, to obtain or provide medical treatment for my child in the event of any injury, illness, or other medical condition that may occur during my participation in the sports activities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
I have read this sports waiver, fully understand its terms, and understand that I am giving up substantial rights, including my right to sue the Released Parties for any injury, death, or damages that may result from my participation in the sports activities organized by [organization name].
By checking the box below, I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand this sports waiver, and I voluntarily agree to its terms.
💡 Tip: You can easily upload your waiver into your Jersey Watch registration form to simplify signups and securely store e-signatures.
Types of youth sports waivers to have
Most youth sports programs use more than one waiver. Each form addresses different liability concerns and potential risks, and keeping them separate helps with transparency and legal protection if a dispute ever arises.
Below are the most common waivers used for youth sports participation.
Injury liability
An injury liability waiver helps protect your sports organization if a player gets hurt during a practice or game. It can also extend protection to individual coaches, volunteers, or other personnel.
Because sports participation almost always includes a risk of injury, athletes and families need to understand this upfront. Most of these waivers outline the physical activities involved in the sport and clearly state that personal injury can occur as a result of participation.
Medical authorization
A medical authorization waiver allows your sports organization to seek emergency treatment for an athlete when a parent isn’t present. These forms are essential because most parents can’t attend every practice, and coaches may need to act quickly if a player is seriously hurt.
Parents are often asked to provide key information, including:
- Emergency contact numbers
- Health insurance details
- Preferred hospital or clinic locations
Keep in mind that details about an athlete’s injury or health history may qualify as protected health information under HIPAA. To address this, many youth sports organizations include a HIPAA release form within their medical authorization waiver, allowing the organization to access necessary records in an emergency.
Photo and video release
To promote your sports organization, you'll likely share photos or videos on your website and social media. Before doing so, you should have permission from the parents to use their child's image.
High-quality photos from games, tournaments, and community sports events can help showcase your program and attract new sponsors. A photo release can be a simple statement acknowledging that your organization may use images or videos for promotion.
If you don’t already have a photo release waiver, here are a few things to include:
- Where images may appear, such as on social media, your website, or email newsletters.
- Your opt-out procedure, so parents know how to request that their child’s likeness not be used.
- Your digital privacy standards, including how photos and videos are stored and who has access to them.
Managing youth sports waivers online
In the past, parents had to print and sign paperwork before the season began. Today, online registration forms make it much easier for families to register, sign waivers, and pay in one place.
With digital tools like Jersey Watch, parents can complete everything they need for the season through one secure, convenient platform.
Here’s how digital tools simplify waiver management:
- Straightforward registration: Parents can complete registration forms and waivers at the same time.
- Multi-device compatibility: Jersey Watch sites are mobile-friendly, so families can sign from any device.
- Digital security: Waiver documents and e-signatures are stored securely and privately.
- Accessibility: Parents can download and reference copies of their signed waivers anytime.
Other forms to consider
Here are additional forms to consider including in your registration packet. While they aren’t technically liability forms, they’re still valuable to have parents read and sign before the season starts. These documents help set expectations and keep everyone on the same page.
Code of conduct
Poor behavior from parents and coaches is a common issue in youth sports. A code of conduct helps reduce complaints, prevent mistreatment of officials, and maintain a safe environment so everyone can focus on the game.
These documents outline behavior standards before the season starts and should be specific enough to avoid confusion or conflict later on.
Here are a few rules to consider including:
- Physical or verbal abuse is not tolerated.
- Drug and alcohol use is prohibited at your organization.
- Athletes should be dressed appropriately for practices and games.
- Arrive on time for practices and games, and notify coaches as soon as possible if you can’t attend.
Refund policy
Refunds are a normal part of youth sports—families move, players get injured, or children simply shift their interests. But too many refunds can impact your budget, so it’s helpful to outline your terms upfront.
In your registration forms, include a refund policy that clearly states when refunds apply and how families can request them. Consider posting the policy online as well to avoid confusion during the season.
Youth waivers and legal considerations for minors
In most states, parents cannot fully waive a child’s right to sue. However, youth waivers can still help limit disputes by documenting that families understood the risks of participation and agreed to the organization’s policies. These forms also help prevent parents from taking certain types of legal action on behalf of their child, depending on local laws.
Always consult a legal professional for guidance, but here are general best practices when creating waivers for minors:
- Always have parents or guardians sign on behalf of minor participants.
- Keep waivers separate for each child. If multiple siblings are participating, each athlete should have their own form.
- Renew waivers annually to reconfirm consent and keep records up to date.
Building trust and protection with Jersey Watch
Clear liability waivers help create transparency and trust with young athletes and their families. They support athlete safety, reduce misunderstandings, and give your organization a more professional, well-prepared foundation.
If it’s been a while since you updated your forms — or if you’re starting fresh — review your waivers with a lawyer to make sure they reflect your current policies and state requirements. Once they’re ready, you can upload and organize them digitally with Jersey Watch for a streamlined, secure signup process that gives everyone added peace of mind.
Ready to simplify registration and waiver management? Sign up for Jersey Watch today to keep everything organized in one easy-to-use platform.
