Player Preparation & Safety

Coaches and Parents, you can help each game start off smoothly by making sure players are correctly suited up for the game with proper playing gear and removal of all unnecessary accessories such as watches, jewelry, or extra clothing.  Please review the followign guidelines adapted from AYSO Region 820's site for proper preparation for each game.  Thank you!

Safety

All AYSO players are required to wear shin guards during all scheduled games and practices or Referees/ Coaches shall not allow them to participate.  Shin guards must be worn underneath (not over) the socks which must cover the entirety of the shin guard.  

[Some players may find it more comfortable to wear a shin guard sleeve  layered underneath the shin guard.]
   

No player will be allowed to chew gum or candy during a game or practice because of the possible danger of choking.

No jewelry will be allowed on any players during a game or practice except medical alert items and religious items that cannot be removed as long as they are worn in a safe manner. Typically, loose items must be taped down so as not to injure any player or volunteer on the field.

Hair Beads and Clips

Hair control devices and adornments, worn in the hair must meet the following criteria:

1. Be securely fastened to the head.

2. Do not present an increased risk to the player, teammates, or opponents.

3. Flat clips (e.g. barettes) less than two inches in length may be used to hold the hair in place close to the head so long as their placement on the head does not present an increased risk to the player, teammates, or opponents

4. Hair charms are still considered jewelry and are not permitted.
   
   

Hair bands must be of fabric material only -  not metal or plastic which could break.  Hats with soft brims only are permissible.  

Players shall not practice or participate in any game with any type of splint or cast. Removal of any cast or splint at the field or the surrounding area to attempt to participate shall immediately disqualify the player from participating in that practice or game.

Medical Devices

If the device is needed to restrict mobility, protect an injury or support proper alignment to expedite the healing process of a temporary injury and is a hard (cast, splint, etc.) then it is not allowed. If, on the other hand, the protective device is used to provide support, flexibility, or enable an otherwise healthy player to function normally such as knee brace, prosthesis, hearing aid, insulin pump/monitor, etc. then this would be allowed provided the device was sufficiently padded to prevent injury to other players.

Referees are responsible to ensure that any player bleeding from a wound leaves the field of play. The player may only return when the referee is satisfied that the bleeding has stopped, all blood or possible infectious bodily fluids are washed off of the player and uniform, cannot be contacted by other players, and signals them to return to the field of play.

Portable goals must be securely anchored to the ground if they will tip or topple easily if not staked. No persons are allowed to hang on permanent or portable goals of any size at any facility. Serious injury or death may result from hanging on the goals!

Any injury or accident resulting in a player:

• Not being able to safely participate in a game or practice,

• Requiring medical treatment by a medical provider, or 

• Otherwise believed to be serious (which includes, but is not limited to, suspected concussion, soft tissue injuries, loss of blood, etc.)
  
  

must be reported by the coach to the Safety Director (or if the Safety Director is unavailable, the Commissioner) within one (1) week of the injury. Depending on the injury, a statement from a doctor may be required before the player may resume practicing or playing.

Parent Guardian Consent and Medical Release forms (“Medical Release” forms) - Coaches must keep a copy of the (electronically signed) Medical Release form at all practices, games, and AYSO team functions such as parties or tournaments. If a team does not have Medical Release forms present for a game, the team may forfeit that game, and all games played without valid Medical Release forms.