Laws vary from state to state but students who participate in school athletic activities (sports) are generally considered (under state law) to have assumed or agreed to the risks inherent in such activities. Student athletes are also often required to sign a form acknowledging the risks in the activity, assuming liability for their own potential personal injuries, and waiving any claims against the school, coaches, and school officials.

In rare situations in which student athletes are not properly supervised or provided with adequate protective equipment, schools and school officials may have liability for injuries caused by such negligence.

In addition to a student athlete's assumption of the risks inherent in participating in athletics, public schools are generally immune from liability under the legal doctrine of sovereign immunity that protects governmental entities—including public schools—from lawsuits and legal liability.

In Idaho, as in many states, student athletes are typically considered to have assumed the risks associated with participating in school sports. This assumption of risk is often formalized through the signing of a waiver or release form, where the student acknowledges the inherent dangers and agrees not to hold the school or related parties liable for any resulting injuries. However, this does not grant absolute immunity to schools. If a student athlete is injured due to a lack of proper supervision or inadequate protective equipment, the school may be held liable for negligence. Despite this, public schools in Idaho generally benefit from sovereign immunity, a legal principle that shields government entities from lawsuits and liability under many circumstances. This immunity is not absolute and may not apply if the school's actions or inactions amount to gross negligence or if there is a statutory waiver of immunity.