Safety and Hazards
on the Soccer Field
AYSO 1455
Ladera Ranch
California, U.S.A.
Regional Safety Coordinator:
Mark Shea [email protected] (714) 606-8924
Safety is our first responsibility!!!
NO Dog allowed at soccer practices or at games!!!
Ensure Goal Post Safety
Many AYSO Regions use portable soccer goals, which can too easily be tipped over - often with
tragic results. These tip-over incidents often happen when players climb or hang from the
crossbar of a goal but have been known to happen from a simple gust of wind or the slightest
push. To help avoid these incidents, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
has come up with seven goal post safety guidelines:
1. Securely anchor or counter-weight portable goals at all times.
2. Never climb on the net or goal framework.
3. Remove nets when goals are not in use.
4. Tip unused goals onto their goal face, or chain them face-to-face. You can also chain
unused goals to nearby fence posts or other sturdy fixtures.
5. Check all connecting hardware before every use. Replace damaged or missing
fasteners immediately.
6. Use warning labels and make sure they are clearly visible.
7. Fully disassemble goals for off-season storage.
8. Tell all parents that it un-safe to climb on goal post at all times. And if they see someone
who is climbing to tell them to stay off of it.
Statistics:
 An average of one child dies a year from goal posts injuries.
 About 200 children suffer injuries by playing on goal post, per year.
GOAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST
Inspect and ensure the following:
 There are no open hooks used to attach nets.
 There are no rusted or weak places in the post.
 There are no jagged, sharp points or edges.
For posts in the ground:
 Posts are not weakened at the ground or just below ground level.
 Posts cannot be moved by pressing against the posts and shaking them.
 Posts appear to be vertical and are not leaning.
For posts not in the ground:
 The goal is built so that it does not tip easily when weight is applied to the top or
horizontal bar.
 The goal is built such that it does not tip or topple easily when the rear supporting part to
the goal is raised.
 Stake any goal that will tip or topple easily if not staked. Please
remember that a goal which requires staking to be stable is easily unstated.
 Any such goal should be dismantled and removed when not in use.
Connections or intersections of pipe – Inspect and ensure the following:
 Each connection is not deteriorated or weakened by rust or fatigue.
 Each connection will properly support the weight of the members it supports.
Supporting Braces – Inspect and ensure the following:
 There are no rusted or weak places.
 There are no jagged or sharp points or edges.
 Supporting braces are not rusted or weakened at the ground or just below
ground level.
HELPING OUT…
For any goal found to be a problem, tag or place on it an easily seen warning that it is
not to be used. Immediately notify, verbally and in writing, the Regional Commissioner
or field director so that the problem can be remedied. Re-inspect the goal after the
repair has been done to ensure that the repair has properly resolved the problem(s)
observed.
Sports Nutrition
Here are some key points what to eat and drink before practices / games and
afterwards.
Pass these tips along to parents and team players about proper eating habits before,
during and after a soccer game:

Eat far enough ahead so food doesn't make you sick to your stomach during the soccer
game.

Eat a healthy meal about 3 or 4 hours before your practice or match.

If you must snack, eat only a small quantity of a complex carbohydrates. Foods such as
cereal, English muffins, pasta or a piece of toast. Just make sure you don't eat less than
an hour before the game!

Three hours before any sport activity, drink a couple of glasses of water (12 oz. sized
glass).

Don't gulp! Sip the water slowly. One hour before game time, drink a little more water.
During the match, drink a little water every 15 minutes or so. Drinking fluids is important!
After the game, drink more water.

Thirty minutes after any competition, eat a meal high in complex carbohydrates to help
restore your body's blood sugar (glycogen levels).
Fluids
You can survive for a month without food, but only a few days without water.

Water is the most important nutrient for active people.

When you sweat, you lose water, which must be replaced. Drink fluids before, during,
and after workouts.

Water is a fine choice for most workouts. However; during continuous workouts of
greater than 90 minutes, your body may benefit from a sports drink.

Sports drinks have two very important ingredients - electrolytes and carbohydrates

Sports drinks replace electrolytes lost through sweat during workouts lasting several
hours.

Carbohydrates in sports drinks provide extra energy. The most effective sports drinks
contain 15 to 18 grams of carbohydrate in every 8 ounces of fluid.
Hot Weather
When temperatures and humidity rise above normal levels, the potential for risk rises. Be aware
of these dangers and be prepared to stop or delay games to ensure proper hydration. Allow for
frequent water stoppages in addition to substitution stoppages. Incidents of dehydration, heat
exhaustion, heatstroke and sunburn are avoidable. The proper and continued hydration of
players and volunteers is essential starting at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled event.
Sunscreen of appropriate strength should be applied frequently. Plenty of shade should be
provided to participants by trees, tents or buildings. Scheduling of games outside of the hottest
part of the day, whenever possible, is preferred.
When scheduling multiple games in a day or over several days when conducting tournaments, it
is recommended that there are at least two hours between games and only two games per day
for players is strongly recommended – unless the playing time is reduced, as recommended in
the AYSO Playtime Study guidelines.
When temperatures and humidity rise above normal levels, the potential
for risk rises.
Key Points:
 The proper and continued hydration of players and volunteers is essential
starting at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled event.
 Sunscreen of appropriate strength should be applied frequently.
 Plenty of shade should be provided to participants by trees, tents or buildings.
 Allow for more frequent water breaks.
 During half time, have player roll down their socks and un-tuck their shirts to
release heat.
 Use spray bottles to cool down with.
 Drench wash cloths in water and apply were needed.
Hydration
In addition to staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in light colors
will help keep the body cool. Coaches must remember to conduct shorter, easier
practices in the summer.
Dehydration
In order to avoid serious heat-induced conditions, players must drink enough fluids to
replace that sweat. Every player should carry his or her own sports bottle to practice,
and coaches need to stop for drink breaks every 15 minutes during the summer.
Symptoms of dehydration may include

Dry lips and tongue.

Sunken eyes.

Dizziness or a loss of energy.
KEY FACT:
Professional soccer players lose seven and a half pounds of sweat during a game.
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all serious (in some cases fatal)
heat-induced conditions. It is imperative for the safety of your players and volunteers
that you and your coaches know how to identify and treat them.
Heat Cramps
When a body loses too much water and salt through sweat, muscles tend to cramp
(particularly in the abdomen and legs). Players suffering from these painful "heat
cramps" should:

Rest in a shady spot.

Sip one glass of cool water every 15 minutes until the pain relents.

If the player's parents are on hand, have them help by

Massaging the affected muscles.

Applying cool, wet cloths to help relax the muscles.
Heat Exhaustion
Players with cool, moist, or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness,
or muscle cramps may be experiencing heat exhaustion. This condition occurs when,
because of high humidity or restrictive clothing, sweat is not properly evaporated and
the body cannot cool down. To assist a player experiencing heat exhaustion

Have the player lie down in a shady spot and elevate his or her feet.

Remove the child's shoes, shin guards, and socks.

Apply cold packs to the armpit and scalp areas.

Have the player drink water or an electrolyte solution.

Dampen the player's skin with cool cloths.

Fan the player to help evaporate excess sweat.

If the player's parents are on hand, have them

Remove the player's shirt.

Apply cold packs to the groin area.
Heat Stroke
When a body completely loses the ability to cool itself, the internal temperature
continues to rise resulting in heat stroke. If a player's temperature rises too quickly,
brain damage and/or death may result. Players suffering from heat stroke may have hot,
dry skin -- those with fair complexions may appear red, while darker-skinned individuals
may appear gray. Victims may also experience a very rapid pulse and extremely high
body temperature. In some cases, victims of heat stroke may seem confused,
unresponsive, or even suffer from seizures. Recovery from heatstroke depends on the
amount of time it takes to return the body temperature to normal, so immediate medical
attention is imperative.
If you suspect that a player is suffering from heat stroke

Call 911 immediately!!!

Follow the recommended treatment for heat exhaustion.

DO NOT attempt to give any liquids.

Contact the player's parents.
First-Aid Treatment for Common Injuries
The priority of any First-Aid training, if provided to Regional staff, should be to ensure that
volunteers are able to recognize the signs, symptoms and severity of common conditions
including the following injuries and immediate responses:
Bleeding

Bleeding, if serious, can be life-threatening and professional medical help
should be sought immediately. Call 911. Bleeding can be controlled with a
few basic techniques.

Apply pressure directly to wound, place a bandage over the wound and hold it
in place with your gloved hand. If the bandage becomes blood soaked, do not
remove the bandage but add a clean bandage on top. If help is available, ask
them to cover the victim to aid in preventing shock.

If bleeding continues, continue applying pressure and elevate the injured area
above the level of the heart. Do not elevate if serious internal injury or
fracture is possible. CALL 911 or other emergency medical response
number.
Get professional medical help immediately. Call 911.
NEVER MOVE THE HEAD OR NECK.
Stay CALM and wait for emergency help to arrive
Do not leave the victim alone
Do not move victim, let professional help move the victim
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Minor Cuts

Wash out minor cuts with soap and water, then cover with a bandage. If cut is deep,
cover it with a clean cloth. Press down on the cut and keep the pressure steady until the
bleeding stops. If it doesn't stop, call 911 or transport to hospital.
Gasping for Breath

Try to calm the individual and ask if they are all right. If they are choking and
can NOT respond verbally, perform the Heimlich maneuver. Consult a
medical professional for instructions.

If breathing difficulty results from an allergic reaction, or continues, get
professional help immediately. Call 911
Fainting

If you see an individual fainting, aid individual to sitting then lying position on left side with left arm under head and left leg bent to keep person in
position.

If unobserved, Do NOT move person in any way - check to be sure they can
breathe, contact 911 and protect from harm.

If individual cannot breathe, use a jaw thrust maneuver to open the airway.

Avoid moving neck or spine in case of injury.

Seek professional medical help.
Insect Stings

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

If the stinger remains, scrape it off with the side of a license or credit card.
Do not try to squeeze the stinger out.
Wash the area with soap and water.
Apply an ice pack or cold cloth.
If breathing is difficult, or if you know the individual is allergic to insect stings, get
professional medical help immediately. Call 911
Fractured Limb




If the injured limb is deformed or swollen, this usually means there is a fracture! Do Not
move the limb.
Protect the patient from further injury, but do not move unless absolutely necessary.
Get professional medical help immediately. Call 911
Do not give the injured person anything to eat or drink.
Nosebleed




Sit down and lean slightly forward to keep the blood from going down throat.
Take a clean cloth and place it over the bridge of the nose.
Squeeze firmly on both sides of the soft portion of the nose for 10 minutes.
Keep the pressure steady. If the bleeding doesn't stop, get professional medical help.
Tooth Knocked Out




If dirty, rinse tooth gently, but do not scrub and do not disturb any tissue that may be
attached.
If possible, try to insert the tooth into the socket.
If not, immerse the tooth in cold, whole milk or use tooth saver.
Get professional dental help immediately.
Blisters
• Do not pop or cut dead skin away.
• Apply “moleskin” or “new skin” or Blister bandage to blister.
Sprains



Pressure wrap ankle, knee, wrist or elbow (if trained to do so).
Apply ice or cold pack, elevate.
Recommend evaluation by medical professional.
Wind Knocked Out



Have person assume position of comfort, sitting or lying down.
Encourage slow, relaxed breathing.
Try to reduce anxiety.
Street & Parking Lot Safety
With the number of AYSO players, parents and volunteers at an all-time high, it is
crucial that you and your volunteer corps establish an efficient and safe parking lot dropoff and pick-up system that is equipped to handle large numbers of people. Below are
some of the critical areas that you will want to consider as well as share with everyone
in your organization to keep everyone - and especially the kids! - safe.
Haste Is Your Worst Enemy
Nowadays, it's normal to see a harried parent or guardian rushing to drop their children
at the local soccer field for practice and games. While punctuality is a virtue, rushing and subsequent carelessness - certainly is not.
Adults aren't the only people who fall victim to haste. Kids love to run through parking
lots and in between cars in their haste to start playing, forgetting to look both ways.
That's why it's important to take a strong safety in the streets stance to prevent parking
lot accidents
Player Loading Zone
Do not leave this to chance! Designate a place for parents to load and unload
passengers. If there is no convenient curbside to do this, create a loading zone by
placing a temporary sign during practices and games to indicate where cars should
stop. Loading zones will help eliminate confusion for drivers and passengers. To help
you find the best place to set-up your loading zone, contact your local police or sheriff's
department - they will be happy to assist you.
Evaluate “The Traffic Patterns”
Be aware of how automobile traffic moves through and around the parking lot and the
streets surrounding it and the field. What kind of pull-offs are there, if any? Is it a high
traffic area where kids are in danger from moving traffic? Are there parked cars on both
sides of the street where it may be difficult for motorists to see kids crossing?
Answering these kinds of questions will help you better evaluate the safety needs of
everyone concerned