Creating an AYSO Safe Haven

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Creating an AYSO Safe Haven An Annual Review
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AYSOs Safe Haven

• There are more than 500,000 children playing
  AYSO soccer and each one of those children has a
  right to a safe, fun, fair and positive
  environment for experiencing the benefits of
  youth sports.

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Thank You

• Thank you for volunteering to bring
• the AYSO experience to your community.
• Please keep the following guidelines and
  principles in mind as you work to
• create a safe haven for all AYSO participants.

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Vision

• The Vision of AYSO is to provide world class
  youth soccer programs that enrich childrens
  lives.

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Child Protection

• AYSO is a mandated reporter of suspected abuse
  in many states there are legal reporting
  standards.
• We are either legally required or morally
  obligated to file a report of suspected abuse.

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Reporting Abuse

• Reporting is generally required when a child is
• physically injured by other than accidental
  means, subjected to willful cruelty or
  unjustifiable punishment, or sexually abused or
  exploited.
• neglected by a parent or caretaker who fails to
  provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical
  care or supervision.
• Many states have penalties for failing to report.

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Emotional Abuse
The most common attacking the emotional well
being and stability of an individual.
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Emotional Abuse

• Legally required to report suspected abuses
  visibly effecting the emotional stability of the
  child.
• Abusive behaviors not allowed in AYSO include
  making comments about the size, inability or
  appearance of a player in front of others.
  Jokes, even in fun, can be emotionally abusive.
• Social bullying, derogatory comments and racial,
  ethnic or gender slurs must not be tolerated.

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Physical Abuse
The most obvious harming the physical well being
of an individual.
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Physical Abuse

• Legally required to report acts resulting in any
  non-accidental physical injury to the child or
  circumstances that create a substantial risk of
  harm.
• Abusive behaviors not allowed in AYSO include
  punishing players by making them run laps or
  denying water, corporal punishment, bullying or
  fighting.
• AYSO has a zero tolerance policy for violence.

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Neglect
Not always easy to identify harming an
individual by abandoning, ignoring, or rejecting
basic needs.
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Neglect

• Legally required to report the failure of a
  parent or guardian to provide needed food,
  clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision.
• AYSO does not allow neglectful behavior including
  never playing a below average player more than
  half of every game or consistently excluding a
  player from practice drills.
• Players should not be allowed to exclude a single
  player or a few players from team activities.

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Sexual Abuse
Frequently hidden harming an individual through
inappropriate sexual contact, lewd behavior, or
exploitation.
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Sexual Abuse

• Legally required to report any form of sexual
  abuse or exploitation.
• AYSO prohibits making lewd comments, sexual
  harassment or any type of inappropriate physical
  contact.
• Minors must be supervised to prevent
  minor-on-minor abuse.
• Please contact Safe Haven immediately with any
  concern.

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Ethical Abuse
The newest identified form of abuse harming an
individual by convincing him/her to commit an act
that is against his/her physical, moral, or
ethical interests.
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Ethical Abuse

• Abusive behaviors not allowed include asking a
  player to take down an opposing player or
  feigning an injury.
• Adults should refrain from asking children to
  keep secrets from parents.
• Youth volunteers should be encouraged to tell a
  trusted adult if told a secret about abuse.

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Suspecting Abuse

• If abuse is suspected, notify the Child and
  Volunteer Protection Advocate (CVPA) and the
  National Safe Haven Office. 1-800-USA-AYSO.
• If the abuse is considered life threatening,
  contact local law enforcement or Child Protective
  Services immediately.
• Remember reporting is a means of helping
  reporters simply report agencies investigate.
• Volunteers should not confront the accused.

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Preventing Abuse

• Screening who volunteers in the AYSO program is
  just the first step.
• Training volunteers to recognize abuse and
  abusive behavior is necessary to report and stop
  abuse.
• It would all be meaningless unless we implement
  policies and guidelines to prevent opportunities
  for abuse to occur.
• Experts agree that is also important to foster
  positive self-images, a safe environment and the
  courage in our players to speak up.

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Protection Guidelines

• Safe Havens Child and Volunteer Protection
  Guidelines are designed to protect children from
  abuse and volunteers from misunderstandings and
  false accusations.

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Supervision Protocols

• AYSO requires the following Supervision
• One adult for every eight or fewer children.
• At least two adults present at ALL times.
• At least one adult of the same gender as players.
• Adults should never be alone with a child.

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Supervision Protocols

• Head Coach is responsible for the players on
  his/her team until they are picked up or
  otherwise leave the area.
• No child shall be left unsupervised after a game
  or practice.
• The AYSO Buddy System requires a minimum of 3
  players.

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Supervision Protocols

• AYSO does not recommend that children walk or
  ride a bicycle home alone. However, if it is
  necessary, the Coach should secure a release form
  from the parent/guardian to ensure their
  approval.

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Protection Guidelines

• In order to prevent misunderstandings, physical
  contact with children should be
• In response to the need of the child only
• With the childs permission
• Respectful of any hesitation
• Careful to avoid private parts
• In the open, never in private
• Brief in duration
• Age and developmentally appropriate

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Protection Guidelines

• Adults should avoid being alone with a child
  including transporting a child in a car.
• If it is necessary to speak privately with a
  child, select a spot out of earshot but within
  sight of others.
• Set appropriate boundaries.
• Maintain adult privacy.
• Respect the privacy of children.
• Hug from the side.
• No sexual jokes, comments.
• No corporal punishment.

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Protection Guidelines

• Social Media Electronic Communications
• Volunteers should maintain transparency and not
  engage in private electronic messages or
  conversations with minors.
• Messages should be conveyed through parents or in
  the case of older players, copied to parents.
  This includes emails, text messages, instant
  messaging and postings on social networking
  sites.
• Protect the identity and privacy of children at
  all times. Do not post names of players with
  pictures or rosters on public pages or banners.

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Protection Guidelines

• It is illegal for minors to possess, control or
  use alcohol, tobacco products or
  prescription-only drugs without authority and may
  subject them to prosecution.
• Any adult who knowingly provides such substances
  to a minor is subject to criminal prosecution.
• The Volunteer Protection Act does not protect
  adults who violate alcohol, tobacco and drug laws.

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Protection Guidelines

• AYSOs Rules Regulations state that
• It shall be the duty of each coach and official
  to present a healthy, athletic environment for
  players by neither consuming alcoholic beverages
  or using tobacco products during practices or
  games or in the immediate vicinity of the soccer
  fields.

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Play it Safe

• It is the responsibility of all participants to
  work together to minimize the risk of injuries
  and to create a safe environment.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• The primary role of all volunteers is one of
  injury prevention and first aid, not diagnosis or
  treatment of injuries.
• It is important for everyone to recognize the
  symptoms of potentially serious medical
  emergencies and to know when to summon emergency
  medical professionals.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Bleeding
• Cant be stopped call for medical assistance
  asap.
• Apply pressure directly to bandage over the wound
  with gloved hand. If bandages becomes soaked,
  continue to add clean bandages on top.
• For extremities, apply pressure to brachial
  artery inside upper arm between armpit and elbow
  or to femoral artery located on crease between
  leg and torso.
• Cover victim to prevent shock.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Bleeding
• Any player or official who is bleeding must leave
  the field immediately and may not return until
  the bleeding is stopped, the wound is cleaned and
  covered.
• If there is blood on the uniform or clothing, the
  individual may not return until that portion of
  uniform is replaced or the blood is neutralized
  with an antiseptic solution.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Bleeding
• Clean up a blood spill with absorbent paper
  towels and flood spot with a solution of ¼ cup
  bleach to a gallon of water.
• Dispose of any blood stained materials in a
  biohazard container or tightly sealed plastic
  bags, using gloves and disinfecting solutions.
• See appropriate local authority for disposal of
  biohazards.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Difficulty Breathing
• If due to an allergic reaction, call 911
  immediately.
• Try to calm individual, help to position of
  comfort.
• If a person is down from an injury to chest or
  airway, do not move unless absolutely necessary.
• Do not place a pillow under head if lying down.
• If necessary, begin rescue breathing (CPR).

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Loss of Consciousness or fainting
• For fainting, help person to lying down position.
  Summon medical help if they do not regain
  consciousness within a minute.
• If unconscious due to head, neck or spine injury,
  do not move.
• Check airway, breathing, circulation. Start CPR
  if necessary.
• Stay calm and wait for emergency help to arrive.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Heat Exhaustion
• Symptoms may include headache, feeling faint or
  dizzy, nausea, fatigue, heat cramps. Individual
  feels cool, clammy and damp to touch.
• Move to cool area and shield from sun or external
  heat sources recline with feet up.
• If alert, give small sips of cool liquids.
• Remove or loosen restrictive clothing, apply cool
  cloth to skin or spray with cool mist.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Heat Stroke
• Feels hot and dry to touch.
• If fever rises greater than 102 degrees,
  fainting, confusion or seizures can occur.
• Summon professional medical help immediately and
  follow same procedures for heat exhaustion.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Hypothermia
• Does not require sub-zero temperatures.
• Can occur with high winds, rain, snowfall or
  under-dressing for weather.
• Early signs include shivering, bluish tinge to
  lips.
• Advanced symptoms include uncontrollable
  shivering, weakness, loss of coordination, slowed
  breathing or heart rate, and pale, blue, cold
  skin.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Hypothermia
• Call 911 for advanced symptoms.
• Prevent further heat loss seek shelter from wind
  and cold.
• Gently change wet clothing and provide warmth.
• Do not rub extremities.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Concussions
• Concussions are serious brain injuries that can
  cause death.
• Coaches and parents should watch for 2 things
  among athletes
• A forceful blow to the head or body that results
  in rapid movement of the head
• Any change in the athletes behavior, thinking or
  physical functioning.

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Concussions
• AYSO recommends the Center for Disease Controls
  Heads Up program for concussion awareness
  training and information.

• http//www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/online_t
  raining.html

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Emergency Medical Conditions

• Concussion Signs and Symptoms
• Forgets sports plays
• Unsure of game, score, etc.
• Moves clumsily
• Answers questions slowly
• Loses consciousness
• Shows behavior or personality changes
• Cant recall events

• Headache or pressure
• Nausea or vomiting
• Balance problems or dizziness
• Double or blurry vision
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Feeling sluggish, hazy, or groggy
• Concentration/Memory problems
• Confusion Doesnt feel right

• If there is a blow to the head or concussion is
  suspected
• Remove athlete from play and evaluate for
  symptoms.
• Athletes with any symptom(s)should NOT return to
  play.
• Inform parents of events, symptoms and encourage
  seeking professional medical care.

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Emergency Authorizations

• Coaches must have signed/eSigned Player
  Registration Forms and any other required
  emergency authorization form on hand at all
  practices and games.
• Youth Volunteers must carry a signed copy of
  their Youth Volunteer Application and any
  additional required emergency authorization form
  with them while conducting their AYSO volunteer
  duties.

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Environmental Hazards

• AYSO officials have the responsibility to be
  aware of potential environmental conditions that
  pose hazards to its participants. These
  conditions include
• Public announcements should take precedence over
  published general safety guidelines.

Hot Days Cold Days Lightning
Tornados Wildfires Hurricanes

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Environmental Hazards

• Lightning
• Every AYSO event should have a lightning safety
  plan.
• Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles from
  where it is raining.
• When thunder is heard it is within striking
  distance seek shelter immediately.
• Restart games after no thunder has been heard
  for 30 minutes or the ALL CLEAR SIREN has been
  sounded.

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Environmental Hazards

• Lightning Seeking Shelter
• Safer Areas
• Inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle with
  windows up
• Inside a substantial building (roof and four
  walls)
• Unsafe Areas
• Open areas like playing fields or parking lots.
• Picnic shelters, near Concession stands, under
  trees.
• Near flagpoles, goals, metal bleachers, electric
  equipment.
• Open Area without shelter
• Avoid standing in groups spread out to reduce
  risk.
• Avoid being the tallest object Avoid lying on
  the ground.
• Crouch on feet, keep head low.

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Environmental Hazards

• Take a moment at the beginning of activities to
  assess potential physical hazards which may
  include

Goalposts, Crossbars, nets.
Foreign Objects Broken glass, rocks, trash.
Walls, fences, buildings near practice/game
fields
Sprinklers, Drainage grates.
Gopher holes, divots and bumps.
Seating Areas.
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Goalpost Safety

• Goalpost accidents kill at least one child and
  injure hundreds annually.
• Goals must be anchored and
• staked when in use.

• Without counter-weights, the sturdiest of
  goalposts can be blown over by a gust of wind.
• Children must never climb or play on goalposts.
• When not in use, goalposts should be dismantled
  and/or stored securely, locked together or to a
  fence.

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AYSO Volunteers

• Remember what it means to be an AYSO Volunteer
  we are entrusted with the AYSO Vision
• And willing or not, we are role models

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AYSO Role Models

• AYSO asks Volunteers to support the following
• principles designed to provide children with the
  maximum benefit from participating in youth
  sports.

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Create an environment that enriches childrens
  lives
• Athletics should develop the whole child by
• treating children as individuals, in an
• age-appropriate manner.
• The objective of the game is to win,
• but the goal is ENJOYMENT!

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Promote the benefits of soccer and sport because
  soccer contributes to physical well-being and
  self-esteem.

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Remember the reasons kids play sports to have
  fun!

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Model and promote good sportsmanship by
  demonstrating that winning is not the most
  important thing in sport. Model how to win and
  lose graciously.

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Model ethical conduct by maintaining emotional
  control and demonstrating respect for athletes,
  coaches, officials and others.

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Foster a safe learning environment by reacting
  positively to mistakes, offering encouragement
  and showing acceptance.

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AYSO Principles of Sport

• Participate in continuing education
• Stay updated on the following
• Rule changes AYSO, Laws in FIFA.
• Equipment improvements.
• Philosophical changes.
• Improved techniques to enhance health,
• safety and success of players and
  participants.
• Attend Regional meetings and training courses.
• Maintain records of completed training.

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AYSO Role Models

• Do not tolerate abusive behavior.
• Document and report any misconduct.
• Regional Boards should address any abuses,
  provide training and awareness, and if necessary
  take additional actions under the guidelines of
  Dispute Resolution and Due Process.
• If bad conduct becomes threatening or violent,
  contact the AYSO National Office immediately.

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Every AYSO venue is a kids zone!

• Kids Zone guidelines encourage appropriate
  sideline behavior key to promoting a fun, safe,
  family-friendly environment.
• Parents and Spectators pledge to respect the
  tenets of Kids Zone.
• Coaches, Referees, Parents and Players abide by
  a Code of Conduct.

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Kids Zone Sidelines

• Spectators agree to respect the following rules
• Kids are 1
• Fun, not winning is everything
• Fans only cheer, only coaches coach
• No yelling in anger
• Respect the volunteer referees
• No swearing
• No alcohol, tobacco products or other controlled
  substances
• No weapons
• Leave no trash behind
• Set a proper example of Good Sportsmanship

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AYSO Incident Report

• An Incident Report is required whenever there is
  a serious incident involving AYSO participants,
  activities, facilities, or property including

• Injuries
• Threats of bodily harm
• Fighting
• Property damage
• Hospitalizations
• Law Enforcement
• Lawsuits

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Volunteer Requirements

• For protection under the Volunteer Protection
  Act and applicable laws, AYSO requires all
  volunteers to
• Sign and submit a Volunteer Application every
  year,
• Be authorized to do their job,
• Act within the scope of their Job Descriptions
  and
• AYSOs policies, procedures and guidelines,
• Complete Safe Haven Training and
• Be properly trained in their jobs.

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Remember, its for the Kids
and Great Soccer Starts Here!