General Information
Page Directory  Eating Right  AYSO Heading Policy  Heat Safety: Heat Cramps  Heat Safety: Heat Exhaustion  Heat Safety: Heat Stroke
Eating Right
Source: Institute for the Study of Youth Sports
Pass these tips along to parents and team players about proper eating habits before, during and after a soccer game:
Eat far enough ahead so food doesn't make you sick to your stomach during the soccer game. Eat a healthy meal about 3 or 4 hours before your practice or match. If you must snack, eat only a small quantity of a complex carbohydrates. Foods such as cereal, English muffins, pasta or a piece of toast. Just make sure you don't eat less than an hour before the game! Three hours before any sport activity, drink a couple of glasses of water (12 oz. sized glass). Don't gulp! Sip the water slowly. One hour before game time, drink a little more water. During the match, drink a little water every 15 minutes or so. Drinking fluids is important! After the game, drink more water. Thirty minutes after any competition, eat a meal high in complex carbohydrates to help restore your body's blood sugar (glycogen levels).
AYSO Heading Policy
By: John Ouellette, AYSO National Coach/Technical Director
Many of you read a recent article that said heading in soccer could cause some brain damage. Never has one story provoked so many calls to the Coaching Department at the National Support Center of AYSO. Reaction such as "Is it true?"and "What position has AYSO taken?"
The AYSO Education Department and the AYSO Coaching Technical Committee believe that heading is part of the game of soccer, and it should be introduced and taught properly to players at the appropriate age and time. Introduction of heading at an early age or improper heading at any age may be linked to certain kinds of temporary or long term effects. While scientific evidence is preliminary, some studies indicate that young players who head too early in their physical development are susceptible to potential risks, including risks to the skull, neck, and spine. In addition, soft and connective tissues, such as those associated with the brain, may be affected under some circumstances, too.
Improper heading at any age may expose a player to risk. Studies indicate soccer is not the leading source of sports injuries to the head and neck, so the act of heading should be regarded within a complete context of risk. Studies do indicate that head-to-head contact among players, head contact with the ground, and head contact with goal posts and other associated playing equipment pose a greater risk than the simple act of heading the ball. These kinds of risk are associated with most outdoor team sports.
AYSO does not recommend heading below the age of ten. Coaches are not encouraged to teach or practice heading at these early ages.
As the level of play advances and the participants skills increase, the proper heading techniques need to be introduced to prepare the player for proper execution. Proper techniques can first be learned through the use of rag, nerf, and inflatable balls, thus avoiding unnecessary, repetitive heading of a regulation soccer ball.
When a real soccer ball is used to simulate game conditions during practice, its use should be of limited duration and repetition. Players who demonstrate a fear of the ball should be shown appropriate ball control techniques that do not force them to head the ball before they are ready.
Heading represents a player's earliest opportunity to play an air ball. It also causes more apprehension than any other soccer skill, particularly with younger players. Therefore, the coach needs to be concerned with the apprehension and the poor technique which may result. A general rule of thumb to follow is to start teaching heading when a players show an interest, not when the coach thinks it should be taught.
Teach the skill of heading correctly. Remember to use a Nerf®-type ball, a rag ball, or an under inflated ball to start heading for the comfort and security of young players.
Teach your players to prepare to head the ball using the following reminders:
Keep your eye on the ball. Place your body so that your forehead will meet the ball. Take a comfortable stance with knees bent. Keep your eyes open. Keep your mouth closed. Keep your chin tucked. Keep a rigid neck. Use your arms for balance.
Teach your players how to contact the ball using the following techniques:
Contact the ball with the forehead. Your legs should propel your body from your waist to head the ball. Your neck should be kept rigid. Follow through toward the target. Once you head the ball, put your body back into a position where you can then go to the next move.
Never have an unwilling player head the ball. He or she will not head in a game, why force them to at practice? Also don't have children do headers over and over again.
To sum it all up,
Introduce heading at an appropriate age level. Teach the skill correctly. Never force a player to head the ball. Limit the amount of times a child heads the ball.
Heat Safety
Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all serious (in some cases fatal) heat-induced conditions. It is imperative for the safety of your players and volunteers that you and your coaches know how to identify and treat them.
Heat Cramps
When a body loses too much water and salt through sweat, muscles tend to cramp (particularly in the abdomen and legs). Players suffering from these painful "heat cramps" should
Rest in a shady spot. Sip one glass of cool water every 15 minutes until the pain relents.
If the player's parents are on hand, have them help by
Massaging the affected muscles. Applying cool, wet cloths to help relax the muscles.
Heat Exhaustion
Players with cool, moist, or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, or muscle cramps may be experiencing heat exhaustion. This condition occurs when, because of high humidity or restrictive clothing, sweat is not properly evaporated and the body cannot cool down. To assist a player experiencing heat exhaustion
Have the player lie down in a shady spot and elevate his or her feet. Remove the child's shoes, shin guards, and socks. Apply cold packs to the armpit and scalp areas. Have the player drink water or an electrolyte solution. Dampen the player's skin with cool cloths. Fan the player to help evaporate excess sweat.
If the player's parents are on hand, have them
Remove the player's shirt. Apply cold packs to the groin area.
Heat Stroke
When a body completely loses the ability to cool itself, the internal temperature continues to rise resulting in heat stroke. If a player's temperature rises too quickly, brain damage and/or death may result. Players suffering from heat stroke may have hot, dry skin -- those with fair complexions may appear red, while darker-skinned individuals may appear gray. Victims may also experience a very rapid pulse and extremely high body temperature. In some cases, victims of heat stroke may seem confused, unresponsive, or even suffer from seizures. Recovery from heatstroke depends on the amount of time it takes to return the body temperature to normal, so immediate medical attention is imperative.
If you suspect that a player is suffering from heat stroke
Call 911 immediately. Follow the recommended treatment for heat exhaustion. DO NOT attempt to give any liquids. Contact the player's parents.
Professional soccer players lose seven and a half pounds of sweat during a game. In order to avoid serious heat-induced conditions, players must drink enough fluids to replace that sweat. Every player should carry his or her own sports bottle to practice, and coaches need to stop for drink breaks every 15 minutes during the summer. Symptoms of dehydration may include
Dry lips and tongue. Sunken eyes. Dizziness or a loss of energy.
In addition to staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in light colors will help keep the body cool. Coaches must remember to conduct shorter, easier practices in the summer.