Hulmeville Soccer Club: Safety and Risk Mgmt
Hulmeville Soccer Club is committed to providing a safe and friendly environment for all members. This section of our website will outline our various programs and handouts to help educate our membership on key risk management, injury prevention and general player safety. Please check back frequently for updates.
Risk Management Process for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013
It is REQUIRED, that all coaches, assistant coaches, team mom's, trainers and anyone else who comes in frequent contact with HSC children membership complete a risk management process on EPYSA.org. Use this link :
https://www.youthleaguesusa.com/epys/12-13/RiskManagement.html
OR - Follow these steps:
1. Go to www.epysa.org
2. Click along the top "membership services"
3. Click "risk management registration" under 2012-13 Online Registration Material
4. Follow the on-screen directions and complete the online application
5. List your role in club as team official or coach, etc.
U.S. Soccer Federation Youth Soccer Heat Stress Guidelines
U.S. Soccer Federation
Youth Soccer Heat Stress Guidelines
Quick Tips for Parents, Coaches and Young Athletes
Youth soccer participation is at an all-time high, with nearly 14 million young athletes under the age of 18 playing soccer at elite and recreational levels in the United States1. To alert parents, coaches and young athletes about the dangers of dehydration and help prevent heat illness among young athletes, the U.S. Soccer Federation offers the following recommendations to parents, coaches and young soccer players.It is important these groups follow these recommendations in light of recent heat illness incidents across a variety of sports and because children are more susceptible to heat illness than adults when active in hot, humid conditions.
G.O.A.L.
To help make the recommendations easy to remember, the U.S. Soccer Federation has developed the acronym G.O.A.L., which stands for:
• Get acclimated – bodies need time to gradually adapt to increased exposure to high temperatures and humidity (especially young athletes).• On schedule drinking– Youth athletes should be encouraged to drink on a schedule before they become thirsty, and should drink before, during and after practice and games. •
Always bring a sports drink– replacing electrolytes and providing energy is crucial to keeping kids safe and performing at their best.• Learn the signs – if someone becomes unusually fatigued, dizzy, and nauseous or has a headache during exercise in the heat, have them stop, rest and drink fluids.
YOUTH FLUID GUIDELINES
Before Activity
• Young players should be well hydrated.?? You can insure young athletes are properly hydrated by checking the color of their urine. Dark, apple-juice like urine indicates that you need more fluid, whereas light, lemonade-like urine indicates good hydration status.
During Activity
• Drink early – even slight dehydration can compromise performance and increase the risk for heat-related illnesses.• Young players should consume 5 to 9 ounces of fluid every 20 minutes while active.
• Sports drinks like Gatorade are preferred to water because research shows a young athlete will drink 90% more and stay better hydrated.
• Fluids with salt (sodium chloride), such as sports drinks, are also beneficial because they increase thirst and maintain voluntary fluid intake and help replace sodium lost through sweat.
• Keeping beverages cool at temperatures of 50 to 59 degrees is recommended.1 Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association
2006 U.S. Soccer Guidelines/Quick Tips – Page 2
Fluids to Avoid During Practice or Games
• During active occasions, carbonated beverages, such as soft drinks, can reduce voluntary drinking due to stomach fullness and throat burn when gulping.• Caffeinated beverages have a mild diuretic effect and therefore could promote dehydration by increasing urine production during active occasions.
• Energy drinks should be avoided because many contain caffeine and have a high carbohydrate concentration, which slows fluid absorption.
• Fruit juices can slow fluid absorption and cause upset stomach during activity.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOCCER SAFETY IN THE HEAT
Acclimation is the Key
Help young players adjust to high temperatures and humidity by taking steps to acclimate them to the heat. Young athletes should have around 8 to 10 short exposures to the hotter conditions (at 45 to 60 minutes each) to acclimate sufficiently.
Avoid Unusually Hot Temperatures
If confronted with extreme temperature and humidity conditions, it’s important to hold practices and games at cooler times in the day such as morning or dusk.
Make Fluids Part of the Game Plan
Before, during and after practice and games, be sure young athletes consume adequate amounts of fluid. Research shows a 6% carbohydrate sports drink, like Gatorade, can be absorbed as rapidly as water and can provide energy to help delay fatigue and improve performance.
Clothes Should be Cool
Children should wear clothing that is light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting to keep cool.
Use the Shade
Parents and coaches should encourage young players to take breaks in shaded areas whenever possible especially during tournaments, multi-game and multi-practice days.
Know the Warning Signs of Dehydration
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Dehydration during activity is a common problem and can place young athletes at risk for serious heat-related illness, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. That’s why it’s important to know the warning signs: • Noticeable Thirst • Decreased performance • Fatigue • Weakness • Nausea |
• Headache • Muscle cramping • Dark yellow urine (or no desire to urinate) • Lightheaded feeling or dizziness • Difficulty paying attention |
CONCUSSION: A Fact Sheet for PARENTS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
A Fact Sheet for PARENTS
WHAT IS A CONCUSSION? A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head. Even a "dinq," "getting your bell runq, " or what seems to be a mild bump or blow to the head can be serious. You can't see a concussion. Signs and symptoms of concussion can show up right after the injury or may not appear or be noticed until days or weeks after the injury. If your child reports any symptoms of concussion, or if you notice the symptoms yourself, seek medical attention right away.
WHAT ARETHE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION?
Signs Observed by Parents or Guardians If your child has experienced a bump or blow to the head during a game or practice, look for any of the following signs and symptoms of a concussion: • Appears dazed or stunned • Is confused about assignment or position • Forgets an instruction • Is unsure of game, score, or opponent • Moves clumsily • Answers questions slowly • Loses consciousness (even briefly) • Shows behavior or personality changes • Can't recall events prior to hit or fall • Can't recall events after hit or fall Symptoms Reported by Athlete • Headache or "pressure" in head • Nausea or vomiting • Balance problems or dizziness • Double or blurry vision • Sensitivity to light • Sensitivity to noise • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy • Concentration or memory problems • Confusion • Does not "feel right"
HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD PREVENT A CONCUSSION?
Every sport is different, but there are steps your children can take to protect themselves from concussion. • Ensure that they follow their coach's rules for safety and the ru les of the sport. • Encourage them to practice good sportsmanship at all times . • Make sure they wear the right protective equipment for their activity (such as helmets, padding, shin guards, and eye and mouth guards). Protective equipment should fit properly, be well maintained, and be worn consistently and correctly. Learn the signs and symptoms of a concussion.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU THINK YOUR CHILD HAS A CONCUSSION?
1. Seek medical attention right away. A health care professional will be able to decide how serious the concussion is and when it is safe for your child to return to sports.
2. Keep your child out of play. Concussions take time to heal. Don't let your child return to play until a health care professional says it's 01<. Children who return to play too soon-while the brain is still healing-risk a greater chance of having a second concussion. Second or later concussions can be very serious. They can cause permanent brain damage, affecting your child for a lifetime.
3. Tell your child's coach about any recent concussion. Coaches should know if your child had a recent concussion in ANY sport. Your child's coach may not know about a concussion your child received in another sport or activity unless you tell the coach.
It's better to miss one game than the whole season.
