Truckee AYSO Safety Policies
AYSO Thunder/Lightning Policy
The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) position is that if you can hear thunder you are within reach of lightning and that referees must protect the safety of all participants by stopping game activities quickly, so that participants and spectators may retire to a safer place before the lightning threat becomes significant. Applying the 30-30 rule is recommended and to wait 30 minutes or more after hearing the last thunder before leaving shelter.The AYSO National Referee Commission position regarding severe weather states: “It is said that lightning can strike from a clear blue sky that is within a ten mile radius of a storm. It is therefore strongly recommended that practices and games be terminated immediately upon hearing thunder or seeing lightning”.In view of the above, the following is the position of AYSO Region 740 regarding severe weather and is to be instituted by coaches and referees at all practices, games and other AYSO sponsored events.AYSO 740 will not cancel entire days or remaining games due to active thunderstorms in our area as these storms usually pass through quickly. Regardless of the weather overhead, when thunder is heard and/or lightning is seen, suspend play and direct participants to a safe area by following the guidelines below. Play may resume 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard, or lightning seen. Areas Considered Safe• Inside a fully enclosed metal 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 – THE PAVILION AT RIVERVIEW IS NOT A SAFE SHELTER• Anywhere near metallic objects like flagpoles, antennas, towers, underground watering systems, 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 Restarting After the All-Clear (30 minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen)• Games which have completed the first half will be considered finished and the score at the time play was suspended shall be the final score. • Games which have completed less than one half; the referee will resume by starting the second half, reducing the remaining time if necessary so that the match ends at the scheduled time. Policy Summary:• If you hear thunder or see lightning stop event immediately
• Take Shelter in safe location – enclosed building or cars is safest option
• Riverview pavilion is not considered a safe shelter
• Event cannot resume until 30 minutes after last boom is heard or strike is seenTRUCKEE AYSO AIR QUALITY POLICY
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is the index used for reporting daily air quality developed by the EPA. AQI runs from 0-500, the higher the AQI value the greater the level of air pollution and the greater the health concern.
An AQI value of 100 generally corresponds to the national air quality standard for the pollutant, which Is the level EPA has set to protect public health. AQI values below 100 are generally thought of as satisfactory. An AQI between 101 – 150 is the first unhealthy category and is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children as well as adults with lung disease fall into this category and are at a greater risk from the presence of particles in the air.
The Tahoe region air quality is generally very good and not a problem except when we are effected from forest fire smoke. When these conditions exist AYSO Region 740’s policy is to cancel all games and practices when the AQI is 120 or greater. We will do our best to cancel all AYSO events before 3:30 PM on the day of the event. We use the Truckee Fire Station AQI that can be found at www.purpleaire.com.
Unfortunately the data is not real time and there can be a lag of an hour or more between when the readings are recorded and when they are updated on the website. Do to this lag conditions can be better or worse than what is being reported. After 3:30 if we have not canceled all AYSO events It is the coaches’ and parents responsibility to monitor the AQI, pay attention to conditions as games and practices progress, and use their best judgement if conditions are safe. If you can see the smoke, smell it, or the kids are complaining about itchy throats or having trouble breathing most likely the AQI is 120 or higher and the event should be cancelled immediately.
Policy Summary:• AQI @ 120 or higher and we do not play – this includes games and practices
• Go to www.purpleair.com
• We will try to make a call by 3:30 PM or 8:00am on the day of the events/games
• Conditions change rapidly, if event is not cancelled it is coaches and parents responsibility to keep an eye on conditions
• If you can see smoke, smell smoke, or it’s causing irritations than the kids should not be running around in it.
Truckee AYSO COVID-19 Policy (still being updated)
We follow all Nevada County Health Department and CDPH Mandates and Recommendations
Unvaccinated Coaches/Officials must wear a mask when at trainings/games.
Unvaccinated players should maintain six feet of social distance whenever possible and/or wear a mask. (water breaks, etc) Masks are not required during field play.
If a player, parent, Official, or Coach has been exposed or tested Positive for COVID 19 please inform your Child's Coach and our Safety Director about your case as soon as possible in addition to following the procedures outlined below. Email: [email protected]
AYSO programs in Truckee will observe the following return-to-play guidance for participants who have tested positive for COVID-19, who have been in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and/or who have had symptoms of COVID-19.
The protocols and guidance aim to safeguard and promote the health and well-being of players, coaches, other needed volunteers and families as much as possible in relation to COVID-19. They seek to follow AYSO National policies, regulations established by public health authorities, guidance from medical professionals and best practices being followed by other youth sports organizations. Protocols will be updated on a periodic basis to maintain compliance with AYSO and local health guidance. This guidance is subject to change as conditions and local and state regulations change.
AYSO Participants are Responsible for Documenting and Communicating Return-to-Play Guidelines. Coaches will submit a standard AYSO incident report to the AYSO Region Safety Director ([email protected]) of “any participant who reports symptoms of COVID19, tests positive for COVID19 or who is exposed to someone with COVID19. The AYSO Safety Director will consider the specific case in relation to the return-to-play guidelines below and provide direction to the coach and families of the affected team on how to proceed.