Welcome to the AYSO Region 9 Safety Tips webpage. In a continuing mission to develop and deliver a quality youth soccer program that provides a fair, fun, safe and positive environment in which to play soccer, below are several important safety tips to be followed by Parents, Coaches and Referees.  Additional safety tips can be found on the AYSO National website.

Insurance

AYSO provides Soccer Accident Insurance (“SAI”), which pays excess medical costs to an insured person (defined as an AYSO-currently-registered player, coach, referee or other volunteer) for accidental bodily injuries incurred as a direct result of participation in a “covered activity”.
Click Here >> AYSO National website for a more detailed explanation of the plan and for claim forms and detailed brochures. For assistance please contact the Safety Director at [email protected].

Upon returning from the injury, parents need to complete a Participation Release Form and deliver the signed form to the Safety DIrector or Commissioner prior to the player returning to play. The form is available at Participation Release Form.
In the Case of a concussion, A separate release is required, signed by the attending doctor. 

Parents

1. Parents shall ensure that their children do not climb on goals.
2. Parents shall ensure that players are properly dressed for practices and games. This includes:
   • Players wear either tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes. Note: Because of the potential for causing injury, shoes with a toe cleat, such as baseball or football shoes, are not allowed.
   • Players wear shin guards and the shin guards are completely covered with socks.
   • Players remove ALL Jewelry before games and practices.
3. Parents shall ensure that players bring a water bottle to both practices and games, and be familiar with the symptoms and treatment of dehydration.
   Note: Proper nutrition is equally important.
4. Parents shall report to coaches all player injuries that occur during AYSO-sponsored events.
   • Participation Release Form
5. Parents shall not bring pets of any kind to AYSO sponsored events.
6. Parents shall be aware of the importance of Street and Parking Lot Safety.
7. How to respond to Active Shooter situations.

Coaches

1. Coaches shall ensure that goal posts are properly anchored to the ground prior to the start of practice. See the Consumer Safety Products Commission webpage on Goal Safety for more information.
2. Coaches shall check the players equipment before the start of practice. This includes:
   • Players wear either tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes. Note: Because of the potential for causing injury, shoes with a toe cleat, such as baseball or football shoes, are not allowed.
   • Players wear shin guards and the shin guards are completely covered with socks.
   • Players remove ALL Jewelry before games and practices.
3. Coaches shall inspect the playing field prior to the start of practice for debris that might injure players.
4. Coaches shall ensure that players bring a water bottle to both practices and games and properly hydrate before, during and after games, and be familiar with the symptoms and treatment of dehydration.
   Note: Proper nutrition is equally important.
5. Coaches shall report all player/volunteer injuries that take place during AYSO-sponsored events to the AYSO Region 9 Safety Director.
   • Incident Reporting Forms
6. Coaches shall bring a first aid kit, water and ice, to all practices and games.
7. Coaches shall cancel practice in case of unsafe physical or environmental condition exists.
8. Coaches shall be aware of the importance of Street and Parking Lot Safety.
9. How to respond to Active Shooter situations.

Referees

1. Referees shall ensure that goal posts are properly anchored to the ground prior to the start of play. See the AYSO webpage on Goal Safety for more information.
2. Referees shall inspect the players equipment before the start of each game including:
   • Players wear either tennis shoes or soft-cleated soccer shoes. Note: Because of the potential for causing injury, shoes with a toe cleat, such as baseball or football shoes, are not allowed.
   • Players wear shin guards and the shin guards are completely covered with socks.
   • Players remove ALL Jewelry before games and practices.
3. Referees of the first game of the day shall inspect the playing field prior to the start of the day’s games for debris that might injure players.
4. Referees shall ensure that substitute players, coaches, and spectators are located sufficiently away from the field of play to avoid injury.
5. Referees or The Board shall cancel games in case an unsafe physical or environmental condition exists.
6. Referees shall be aware of the importance of Street and Parking Lot Safety.

For safety related questions or issues, contact the Safety Director at [email protected].