Safety

SAFETY & SAFETY POLICIES

AYSO’s highest priority is the safety and well-being of our children. We aim to provide a safe and nurturing environment where they can play and have fun. Safety can be achieved when all parities (Parents, Referees, Coaches, Guest Visitors, Field Monitors…) work responsibly to keep our kids and visitors safe from all danger.

Remember, Safety starts with you!

JEWELRY POLICY

AYSO National Guidelines State:
"Players shall not wear anything that is dangerous to either themselves or other players subject to the referee’s approval under Law 4."

FIFA Law 4 states:
Law 4: The Players' Equipment. A player must not use equipment or wear anything that is dangerous. All items of jewelry (necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings, leather bands, rubber bands, etc.) are forbidden and must be removed. Using tape to cover jewelry is not permitted.

All jewelry, including earrings of any kind, whether or not worn in any body piercing (visible to the referee), must be removed before the player is to be allowed to participate. The same is true of any stud which is used in a body piercing when the jewelry is not being worn. The same rules apply during practices as the wearer is at risk of severe injury. Beads worn braided into the hair are also to be regarded as jewelry.

The safety of our players is of paramount importance to AYSO. We follow AYSO National Guidelines and the FIFA Laws of Soccer when it comes to player equipment. Please prepare ahead of time and do not allow this to become an issue prior to a game or practice.

Please adhere to our policies to keep ALL of our players safe.

PETS ON AYSO FIELDS

No Pets at Region 127 Events

All AYSO Region 127 participants agree and understand that NO PET shall be permitted at any AYSO activity or event regardless of venue or location. This policy includes but is not limited to practices, games, picture day, team parties, tournaments, etc. This Policy is consistent with those of neighboring Regions and is in keeping with the AYSO Insurance Policy, which does not cover animal bites or related injuries. Properly registered service animals are generally exempt from this Policy.

You, as the primary player and account registrant, are also responsible for any friends or family members visiting the fields.

Unfortunately, if dogs or pets are not removed from games, we will have no choice but to suspend or even terminate the game.

Region 127 pays for and controls the soccer fields and surrounding areas in an exclusive use permit that provides us the right and with that right, we are required by our National Bylaws and Insurance to comply with our published guidelines.

Service animals are allowed under the following conditions:

ADA in public places: The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to employers, state and local governments and public places.

The law narrowly defines service animals as any dog that is trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a physical or mental disability.

Emotional support animals do not qualify as service animals under the ADA, the California Unruh Civil Rights Act nor the Disabled Persons Act.

State and local governments, businesses and nonprofits generally must allow service dogs to accompany people with disabilities in any part of a facility open to the public, unless doing so interferes with legitimate safety requirements, or the dog is out of control.

If you are bringing a legal service animal to our fields, we require that you first inform our referee staff that is present at the game so that they can provide guidance on ensuring that the animal does not interfere with the game and remains in control. Please also reach out to our Regional Commissioner at [email protected] for approval before the event/game begins.

Referees and Coaches will be advised to suspend a game if a pet is not removed from a field during play.

Thank you for your understanding and support. Please click here for more information from AYSO National

LIGHTNING POLICY AND PROCEDURES

The Coach, Referee, Field Monitor, and/or other any other official involved with the game/practice should be aware of the possibility of lightning in the area. If there is thunder or lightning the official will immediately suspend the game and all persons should seek shelter immediately. Activities may resume only when a games/practice official gives the go ahead after there has not been any thunder or lightning for 30 minutes.

Areas considered safe

Inside a fully enclosed vehicle with windows up
Inside a substantial building (roof and four walls)

Unsafe Areas

Small buildings including picnic shelters and the open area of a concession stand
Anywhere near metallic objects like flagpoles, soccer goals, metal bleachers, electric equipment
Open fields, trees and water

Open area without shelter

Avoid standing in groups
Spread out to reduce risk
Crouch on your feet, keep your head low
Avoid being the tallest object
Avoid lying on the ground

If a strike occurs to an individual

Call 911
If you are qualified to do so, apply First Aid or CPR immediately
People struck by lightning do not carry an electrical charge and are safe to touch