BEST PRACTICES REGARDING PETS

Pets of any kind are NOT allowed on the field. While we love our pets, please make sure to keep them at home. If a pet is seen on the field our Board Members will ask you to escort the pet off. The only exception is if the pet is a service animal.     

Please feel free to reach out to me at any time with additional questions or concerns. Contact information is above. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES REGARDING SERVICE ANIMALS
A service animal is a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. 

According to the law, we may ask if the animal is required because of a disability and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform. Expect us to absolutely ask these questions. 

The Americans with Disabilities Act cites that emotional support dogs of animals DO NOT HAVE THE TRAINING to do specific tasks in assisting a person with a disability or impairment, unlike service animals. 

Hence these pets may NOT be allowed to accompany their owner in public places, i.e. restaurants, stores, hotels, parks. 

In short, please do not abuse a law that's in place to help and support people with disabilities. Many thanks for your support and understanding in this matter. 

WHEN CAN A SERVICE ANIMAL BE KEPT OUT
A business or state/local government does not need to allow a service animal if the dog's presence would fundamentally alter the nature of the goods, services, programs, or activities provided to the public. 

ASKING SOMEONE TO REMOVE THEIR SERVICE ANIMAL
A business or state/local government can ask someone to remove their service animal if: 
* The dog is not housebroken 
* The dog is out of control and the person cannot get the dog under control. 

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that service animals be under the control of the handler at all times.

* In most instances, the handler will be the individual with a disability or a third party who accompanies the individual with a disability.

* The service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered while in public places unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the person’s disability prevents use of these devices. In that case, the person must use voice, signal, or other effective means to maintain control of the animal.

For example, a person who uses a wheelchair may use a long, retractable leash to allow her service animal to pick up or retrieve items. She may not allow the dog to wander away from her and must maintain control of the dog, even if it is retrieving an item at a distance from her. Or, a returning veteran who has PTSD and has great difficulty entering unfamiliar spaces may have a dog that is trained to enter a space, check to see that no threats are there, and come back and signal that it is safe to enter.

* The dog must be off leash to do its job, but may be leashed at other times.

* Under control also means that a service animal should not be allowed to bark repeatedly in a lecture hall, theater, library, or other quiet place. However, if a dog barks just once, or barks because someone has provoked it, this would not mean that the dog is out of control.

Rain Policy

Please check here for any information regarding weather. Region 1463 would like to remind everyone to drink water, wear sunscreen and bring tents for sunny days as well as to bundle up and wear layers on the cold days. 

We Do Not Cancel Games for Rain
Unless otherwise notes on this page or our Facebook page, we do not cancel games for the weather. When you reach your field in the morning, take a cursory look around for mud patches and check with the ref about marking those with cones. Players can wear a long-sleeve shirts with no hood under their jersey to combat the cold, if needed.

If there is thunder or lightning, we stop play immediately and leave the field for a safe area (typically the car).  Play can not resume until 30 minutes after all thunder and lightning have stopped.

As always, safety first!

When the game day heat is of concern, below is guidance we will put in place along with guidance to the referee teams who manage the games.

All games even the early ones before the heat increases will have increased water breaks. For example, a U10 match has two 25 minute halves, so the quarters are at the 12.5 minute mark. We will instruct the referee managing the game to give a water break at the 10 minute mark and break for 5 minutes. There will obviously be less playing time but more time to drink fluids.

In the event games are suspended, we will continue on with the season and call the games a draw. There will be no rescheduling.

Please bring lots of water for your players and ensure they’re hydrated even if the temperature is in the high 80’s or low 90’s. Hydration is essential regardless, so please ensure your players are staying hydrated.

We may have some visiting teams for our U12 and above divisions. Board members will be monitoring these games and will be the one to talk to the visiting coaches and their region coordinators in the event we suspend games. Visiting regions will most likely be checking our field conditions since as you know, the weather can be different across the valley.

Below is some additional information for you. Please let us know if you have any questions.

Safety Guidelines

Heat Cramps

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. 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:

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\

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

Professional soccer players lose seven and a half pounds of sweat during a game. 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:

Parents, please make sure your players are drinking LOTS of water the day before especially the night before. Continue hydrating the morning/day of match. The child should be hydrated enough to sweat and not become so thirsty during a game where they "chug" water down. If they are feeling thirsty, their bodies are already starting to dehydrate. Bananas and/or apple about 15 minutes before they start warming up provides good sugars for energy and helps maintain hydration. On hot days, fruit smoothies are also a great cool down treat.

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.

DRESS POLICY FOR PLAYERS

PURPOSE: TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES THAT ENHANCE ALL PLAYERS’ ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN SOCCER MATCHPLAY AND TRAINING SAFELY, AND WITHOUT DISTRACTION. TO DEFINE APPROPRIATE ATTIRE AT PRACTICE AND ENSURE A PROFESSIONAL APPEARANCE ON GAMEDAY & PRACTICE DAYS.

(1) AYSO Region 397 requires that all players be properly uniformed for practices and gameday. The Region will provide players’ uniforms, which will be worn unaltered and in full.

The Region will make every reasonable effort to meet sizing requirements for larger or smaller players. In return we expect that the uniform provided be maintained properly and shown the same respect that the Game and the activity deserve.

Improperly maintained, altered, or incomplete uniforms may be cause for sanction by the Coach, the Referee, or the Region. Sanction by the Region may include paying the replacement cost of uniform parts.

(2) Players and their families should make every effort to ensure that the uniform provided lasts the season. It may be worn to practice etc. with this stipulation in mind. The uniform provides an excellent model for attire at practice, and wearing a past year’s uniform is ideal.       

(3) The Region considers that all players have spent the first half of their weekday in a school environment and were thus under a strict dress code. The stipulations of that dress code should be considered as a minimum for athletic activity. In addition, under-garments must be worn at all times, and appropriate supporting and restraining athletic under-garments must be utilized by older children as necessary.

(4) Shirts should be loose-fitting and extend below the beltline at all times. Shoulders must be covered and necklines unaltered. Halter tops, tank top T’s, plunging necklines, and straps are all inappropriate attire. No under-garments shall be visible. Holes and frays are inappropriate. Sleeveless T’s are acceptable. Coaches may require that T-shirts be worn at practice.

(5) Shorts should be loose-fitting, but not sag or drag excessively, and no underwear shall be visible. Shorts must extend beyond the finger-tips with the player’s arms extended straight down, palms flat. Belts, and studs, rivets or other hard devices are unacceptable.

(6) Shinguards are mandatory at gameday and practice and must be completely covered by socks. Thus, long athletic socks are necessary at all times.

(7) In Summary, parents are responsible for their player’s attire. Players’ bodies must be properly covered, supported and/or restrained from shoulders to feet. Considerations regarding jewelry, casts, hair, fashion and decoration etc. that are addressed in the Laws of the Game or other AYSO literature are in no way compromised by not being mentioned here.

CLARIFICATION ON HAIR BEADS, CLIPS & ADORNMENTS

The AYSO National Board of Directors recently adopted a new clarification of the AYSO National Rules and Regulations regarding Hair Beads, Clips, and Adornments.  The following screenshots provide referees with guidance on the new clarification.  

Safe Haven Course

Introducing the AYSO Safe Haven Course - One Size Fits All

After years of confusion over who had to take what, a new, universal Safe Haven course has been developed. The new AYSO's Safe Haven course will now take the place of the Safe Haven for Coaches, Safe Haven for Referees and B.A.S.I.C. courses for child and volunteer protection training of all new volunteers. Volunteers that have already completed Safe Haven training will remain certified.

The goal of AYSO's Safe Haven course is to create a universal understanding of the steps necessary to create a "safe haven" for all AYSO participants and of their roles in fostering a safe, fair, fun and family environment for children to experience AYSO soccer.

The course covers AYSO's vision and philosophies, volunteer requirements for child and volunteer protection, key objectives for promoting safety and injury prevention and the values and behaviors necessary to create a positive soccer experience for all AYSO children.

The lesson plan and the presentation are now being introduced to the membership. The course will be available for live, in-person instruction, through webinars and on AYSO's online training site.

Visit the Volunteer Portal and review the eTrainu section to for more details. 
Etrainu Section 

CDC Concussion Protocol

AYSO has partnered with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to use the “Heads Up” Concussion training tools in support of the following guidelines in order to ensure the safety of all our participants:

The AYSO / CDC Parent / Athlete Concussion Information Sheet should be used to inform parents about the potential risks associated with concussions. When required by state law, signatures of a parent and/or athlete must be obtained each membership year. 

The AYSO / CDC Coach / Referee Action Plan provides coaches / referees with the signs and symptoms of concussion and the recommended steps to take whenever a player exhibits any sign or symptom. 

AYSO requires the new AYSO Participation Release Form, signed by a parent/guardian, acknowledging that the player has been given clearance before the player can return to play.

AYSO strongly recommends that parents/guardians seek medical attention whenever a player exhibits any signs or symptoms of a concussion and obtain a clearance by a medical professional before the player is allowed to return to play. When required by state law, parents must obtain a medical clearance in addition to completing the Participation Release Form.

If a player exhibits any signs or symptoms of a concussion and is removed from play or not permitted to participate, the player may not return to play for the remainder of that day.

The Region Safety Director must receive an AYSO Incident Report, signed Participation Release, copy of the signed Player Registration Form and copy of any SAI claim whenever a player is removed from play due to signs/symptoms of concussion. Fax/email forms to [email protected].

Visit the Volunteer Portal and review the eTrainu section to for more details. 
Etrainu Section 

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Training
We have a new state mandated training requirement for all AYSO volunteers (administrators, board members, coaches, referees, coordinators, instructors, etc.).  This is a one-time only training for AYSO volunteers.

Please follow the below steps to get this completed ASAP:

1.  Go to website for instructions on signing up:  Etrainu Section 
   
   
2.  Course takes about 15 minutes to complete (simple 6 question quiz at end of course).
   
   
3.  Save completion certificate as a pdf (keep for your records).
   

Visit the Volunteer Portal and review the eTrainu section to for more details. 
Etrainu Section 

Safesport 
A comprehensive overview of facts, principles, and strategies to help you provide safe and positive sport environments. Units include:

• Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Education
• Mandatory Reporting
• Physical and Emotional Misconduct (including bullying, hazing, and harassment)

Accessing and Completing Safesport: 
1 | Log into your Sports Connect account 
2 | On your Dashboard, select the Volunteer tab on the left side of the screen 
3 | Check the box next to Safesport 
4 | Click Renew & Update 
5 | A prompt will pop-up. Click the link to get Started 
6 | You will need to create a Safesport account. During the process when you see the question for "Membership ID", leave this blank. 
7 | Once the account has been created, go to "My Courses" and select "Safesport Trained- U.S. Soccer Federation." 
8 | Complete the course