Managing Extreme Weather Conditions
USSF
Summary
These resources, developed by the USSF’s Chief Medical Officer’s team, help soccer organizations to plan when it is safe to play soccer in hot or cold weather, storms, and when air quality is a consideration. They also cover how to manage the effects particularly of hot weather where hydration and sun care are critical.
THE INDIVIDUAL RESOURCES AND HOW THEY CAN BE HELPFUL
- Heat Guidelines - how to assess extreme heat risk and when to play and not play, how to prepare for playing in heat, and how to respond to heat-related health issues.
- Heat and Hydration - how to recognize dehydration symptoms and how to recover after playing in the heat.
- Sun Safety Guidelines - how to keep participants safe in the sun.
- Air Quality Index Guidelines - how to use the Air Quality Index, and which measures to use to mitigate the risks of playing in poor air quality.
- Cold Weather Guidelines - how to assess extreme cold weather risk, when to play and not play, how to prepare for playing in the cold, and how to respond to cold-related health issues.
- Lightening and Severe Weather - how to assess when and when not play in severe storms.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT THIS RESOURCE
As well as providing expert and practical advice on how to manage playing in extreme conditions, the resources include frameworks which make the decision-making process around when and when not to play clear and transparent. Having that guidance can really help organizers communicate decisions in situations where there can be competing pressures and expectations.
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
As the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States. U.S. Soccer exists in service to soccer. Our ambition is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport, it is a force for good. To learn more visit USSoccer.com.
Coaches, referees and other members of the soccer community can access a wide range of other articles and training opportunities, including related to health and safety, on the US Soccer Learning Center.
KEY CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING THIS RESOURCE
- How can you build these guides into staff training and onboarding efforts?
- How can you communicate the rationale behind these guidelines to players, parents and partners to help them understand why and how decisions are made?
- How can you share important information about health and wellbeing with players so they can follow the guidance independently, and when they’re playing soccer outside of organized activities?
- Can you share your policies in this area with your league and opposition teams so that decisions about when to play are better aligned?
CREDITING CONTRIBUTORS
The Resource Hub is made possible by the generosity of contributors. It demonstrates the rich expertise and collective team spirit that exists across our soccer community.
All resources that have been contributed to the Resource Hub are free for users of the Hub to learn from, adapt and implement in their own organization and community.
Where relevant, we encourage users of the resources to formally or informally credit the resource creator, to acknowledge their expertise and generosity.