All information comes from U.S. Soccer Comprehensive Player Health and Safety Program called Recognize to Recover. Kansas Youth Soccer, as a member of U.S. Soccer, will follow the guidelines as recommended from the program when it comes to Environmental Conditions that our players could be playing in during a seasonal year.
Recognize to Recover: Environmental Conditions
Environmental conditions can significantly impact player health and safety. Extreme temperatures, severe weather and the integrity of the playing field and its equipment all impact players' ability to practice and compete safely. U.S. Soccer's Recognize to Recover program gives players, parents, coaches and referees information and guidelines to make sure the desire to play does not cloud the decision-making process when it comes to evaluating environmental conditions to ensure the safety of those on the field.
Extreme Heat Guidelines
Extreme heat can impact players' health and safe play. Proper hydration and knowing when you need to drink are critical, to help prevent many injuries and illnesses, from muscle cramps to heat stroke. Players should drink water before, during, and after a game or practice, which means coaches should make sure there is adequate water available. Below is the link to Heat Guidelines from you to follow.
U.S. Soccer Heat Guidelines: Click Here
Overall, it is recommended to include scheduled hydration breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reaches 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide hydration breaks of four (4) minutes for each 30 minutes of continuous player. In a regulation 90 minute match, this would schedule the hydration break at minute 30 and 75.
Cold Weather Guidelines
The effects of cold weather can impact health and safety during practices and games. The definition of "cold stress" varies across the United States, depending on how accustomed people are to cold weather. A player from Kansas will have a much different threshold for cold than a player from Florida.
U.S. Soccer Cold Weather Guidelines: Click Here
If the facility or a school district hosting an event cancels evening activities due to their policies and procedures then all Kansas Youth Soccer events are cancelled for that location or event as well.