Portsmouth Youth Soccer Association - PYSA

Safety

* Do not allow any child on your team to practice or play until you have a legible, signed pink sheet for each child on your team. Read pink sheets for all assigned children before your first practice. Ask parent for any clarifications needed.

* Read safety handout before your first practice.

* Do safety walk-down before each practice/game. Check field area, sidelines and end-line areas and goals. Keep all children off the goals.

* Make sure corner flags and flag spikes are picked up at the end of the game.

* Make sure all players wear shinguards and socks over shinguards. No metal cleats. No jewelry, including earrings. No taping of earrings.

* Conduct warm-up exercises---stretching, bending, aerobics. Very important!

* If a player becomes injured during game/practice be cautious of moving child. Call parent onto field if appropriate. Call for ambulance if appropriate.

* Notify PYSA if serious injury occurs (President, Director of coaches, Division Director).

* Do not let an injured player participate again until parent gives you a clean bill of health for the child.

* Know where the nearest phone is for emergencies.

* No "heading" instruction/encouragement for PYSA PeeWee, Junior, Middle & Senior leagues.

* Do not let an overly fatigued player play.

* Make sure kids drink plenty of water and/or liquids.

* Use your judgment regarding rain, foul weather.

* Presence of lightning requires immediate suspension of play and cancellation of PYSA activities.

* Do let kids play if any unsafe conditions exist (weather, field, equipment, health).

* Always err on the side of caution. Use your head, you are the leader!