Please Plan Ahead: Heat Advisory for this coming Weekend

Hello Club Presidents, Directors, Registrars, and Referee Assignors,

This weekend’s weather looks to be very warm. Please work with your coaches and referees to ensure safety is the top priority this weekend. BAYS advises that you familiarize yourself with the MYSA Hot Weather Policy. The salient points are listed below.

MYSA Hot Weather Policy:

Heat is a problem when it prevents the body from cooling itself. The hotter the body gets, the more likely it is to increase fatigue levels, develop cramps and increase the possibility of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The hotter and more humid the weather, the faster these problems can develop. Temperatures as low as 65 degrees, with a relative humidity of 100%, can be serious.

1. A heat index chart should be given to every coach and referee (www.nws.noaa.gov)
2. Games need to be adjusted as the heat index rises:

a. Mandatory water breaks

b. Go to quarters

c. Shorten the games

3. Provide training to coaches to teach the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Club administrators and tournament officials are responsible for monitoring the heat index (by weather radio, online or the Weather Channel) and keeping the participating teams and game officials informed of the heat index. Coaches are encouraged to also monitor the conditions. The following are recommended when there is a possibility of dangerous high heat index:

 

Heat Index

Recommendations

Up to 84°

Normal Play

85° - 89°

Mandatory two-minute water breaks per half with running time.

90° - 99°

Mandatory two-minute water breaks per half with running time. Each half shortened by five minutes.

100° - 104°

Mandatory two-minute water breaks per half with running time. Each half shortened by ten minutes.

105°+

Suspend Play

 Apply the above recommendations to both games and other soccer activities.

 For further information, please check the NOAA website for additional information in regards to how temperature and humidity combine to make it feel hotter.

BAYS recommends that coaches and referees make an active and agreed upon plan before the kick off of the game as to how to manage the game in warm weather conditions. 

Coaches should keep an eye out for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

  • a headache.
  • dizziness and confusion.
  • loss of appetite and feeling sick.
  • excessive sweating and pale, clammy skin.
  • cramps in the arms, legs and stomach.
  • fast breathing or pulse.
  • being very thirsty.

If coaches choose to postpone a game for this weekend due to the heat they need to ensure they notify the referee assignor with plenty of notice and actively get the make up date rescheduled and game played within the typical BAYS make up period. 

Thank you in advance for working with your coaches and referees to be prepared for this warm weather to ensure player safety. 

Reg Wilcox

BAYS President

You received this email because you are a member of the BAYS organization.