Player Safety

Background Check.  All coaches are required to have background checks, concussion training, and SafeSport certification satisfactorily obtained. 

Concussions.  Player/Parent Concussion Awareness Form

"Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports" is designed to help coaches, parents and fellow athletes recognize the symptoms of a concussion and provides actions that need to be taken when an athlete is showing signs of a concussion.  Materials are available and include:

• on online training for coaches;
• A fact sheet for coaches;
• A fact sheet for athletes;
• A fact sheet for parents;
• A magnet with concussion facts for coaches and parents;
• A poster with concussion facts for coaches and sports administrators; and
• A quiz for coaches, athletes, and parents.

See here for information:  CDC/Heads Up

Take a concussion training course: Online Training

Weather Conditions. If lightning is sighted during a practice or game, referee/coaches

must escort all players off the field to a sheltered area as quickly as possible. You must

wait at least 30 minutes from the last lightning/thunder before returning to the field.

Player Accountability. At the conclusion of games and practices, coaches must

ensure that they never leave any player unattended at the field or parking lot, whether

from their team or a different team

Player Equipment. Coaches must inspect player equipment. Shin guards and soccer appropriate footwear must be worn at all times during practice and at games

Field Safety/Goals. Coaches, parent coaches and referees should inspect the playing field to make sure it is in safe condition for playing and practicing. This includes ensuring that goals are staked orsandbagged to prevent movement or tipping.  Players should never play/hang on the goals and should not move goals.   

Jewelry. Jewelry is not to be worn during practice  AND IS EXPRESSLEY PROHIBITED AT GAMES, PER CJSA, USSOCCER AND FIFIA Laws of the Game. This is applicable to both girls and boys. Jewelry includes, but is not limited to, hair clips, hair beads, earrings, rings,watches, bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and any other body jewelry. Parents should keep this in mind when planning ear piercing.  Best to do in the off-season so that earnings can be removed by the time the season starts.  Referees will not allow players to play unsless they have removed all jewelry.

Putting tape over pierced ears is not allowed.   EVER....... NEVER. (Sorry but this is a widespread misconception that seems impossible to dispel)

If you child has recently had their ears pierced, google :"ear piercing retainers"

Casts and Splints. Casts and splints may be worn only if approved by the referee at the game.  If they are sufficiently padded and/or appropriately wrapped such that they do not constitute a hazard to the player or others you should be ok. Knee bracesshould be checked for any part that might cut or otherwise injure another player. For games, the referees will have the final say in determining if a player can play with the cast or splint.

Eyewear. Eye sport goggles may be worn, but it is strongly recommended that they be secured with an appropriate strap.  Regular eyeglasses are not recommended and it is up to the referee to decide if dangerous. 

Dehydration. All players should be reminded to bring water/sports drinks to practices and games in order to prevent dehydration. Especially during the summer months, water breaks should be provided during practices on a more frequent basis. For game situations where it is extremely hot and humid, coaches should ask the referees about game time water breaks or shorten length of game.

ACL injuries

http://www.hss.edu/conditions_acl-injury-prevention-stay-off-sidelines.asp

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/phys-ed-preventing-acl-injuries-in-girls/

CJSA has adopted the US Soccer and US Youth Soccer recommendations regarding heading and the protocol for suspected concussions.   Compliance is mandatory for all CJSA members for all activities where CJSA insurance applies effective April 1, 2016.

         Where a Health Care Professional (HCP) is Present at a Game or Practice

·         Any player who sustains a significant blow to the head or body, who complains about or is exhibiting symptoms consistent with having suffered a concussion or is otherwise suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be evaluated on the sideline by an on-site HCP engaged in this capacity for the competition who will perform applicable testing.

·         Any player suspected of suffering a concussion will not be allowed to return to play until he or she is cleared by the HCP.  Coaches, parents/guardians or players may not overrule the HCP.

·         If a coach seeks to allow a player to re-enter a game who has been removed from a game for a concussion assessment and who has not been cleared to return to play by the on-site HCP, the referee shall issue a warning to the coach.  If a coach persists in seeking to allow such player to re-enter the game after having been issued a warning, the referee may take other disciplinary measures against the coach as are permitted under the rules applicable to the competition.

·         Unless an HCP determined that the player has not suffered a concussion and clears the player to return to play, the player will not be permitted to return to practice or play until the player has successfully completed the return to play protocol and has been cleared to return to play by a Physician.   

Where a Health Care Professional Engaged for the Event is Not Present at a Game or Practice

·         Where a HCP engaged for the event is not present at a game or practice, any player who sustains a significant blow to the head or body, who complains about or is exhibiting symptoms consistent with having suffered a concussion or is otherwise suspected of having sustained a concussion, must be removed from play and evaluated by an HCP before the player will be allowed to return ti practice or play. 

·         No coach shall permit a player who has been removed from a game for a concussion assessment to return to play until cleared to do so by an HCP. 

·         If a coach seeks to allow a player to re-enter a game who has been removed from a game for a concussion assessment and who has not been cleared to return to play by the on-site HCP, the referee shall issue a warning to the coach.  If a coach persists in seeking to allow such player to re-enter the game after having been issued a warning, the referee may take other disciplinary measures against the coach as are permitted under the rules applicable to the competition.

·         Unless an HCP determined that the player has not suffered a concussion and clears the player to return to play, the player will not be permitted to return to practice or play until the player has successfully completed the return to play protocol and has been cleared to return to play by a Physician.  

Definition of Health Care Professional

Health Care Professional (HCP) are licensed professionals such as an Athletic Trainer Certified (ATC) or Physician (MD/DO), with skills in emergency care, sports medicine injuries and experience related to concussion evaluation and management.

Compliance is mandatory for all CJSA members for all activities where CJSA insurance applies effective April 1, 2016.