Player Equipment and Safety

Player equipment and safety requirements are covered in Law 4 (SAY rule book).  It is very important that coaches know this rule and talk to their parents about it as early as possible.

Safety

1.  Of particular concern each year is that girls start the season with pierced earrings.  According to our liability policy and the Rules of SAY, players may not wear jewelry of any kind.  Taping over earrings is not acceptable.  They must be removed.  Please, convey these rules to your players and parents upon your first contact with them.  Referees CANNOT ask a player to remove them.  Rather they will inform the player that she or he may not step onto the field with them on.  Be sure to read Law 4 to see other “illegal” equipment.

2.  It is imperative that coaches assure that players are wearing shin guards at any time they are on the field playing or practicing.  Injuries to the lower leg can happen too easily.  Also, shin guards must be worn UNDER the socks.

3.  Coaches must bring each player’s registration form to each practice and game, as it has the parent’s authorization for emergency medical treatment on it.

4.  Coaches are to give parents the “Emergency Medical Authorization and Health Information Form” to complete.  You are to keep these with you at all practices and games.  The parent may choose not to allow such emergency treatment.  However, they then must be present any time their player is on the field.

5.  Nets will be kept up all season long.  Report any suspected vandalism immediately to your Division Coordinator.  PLEASE KEEP YOUR PLAYERS OFF THE GOALS AND NETS!

Equipment

1.  BALL - Encourage each player to have his or her own ball and to use it often, not just during team practice. Players will not derive maximum benefit from practice unless they each have their own ball for warm-ups and individual drills.

2.  SHIN GUARDS - An absolute requirement for games and worn for all practices. The pull-on “legging” type with foam padding protecting the front of the leg from ankle to shin is an excellent shin guard. Those with plastic inserts offer additional protection, especially for the older player.  Consider wash ability when selecting a shin guard.

3.  SOCCER SHOES - Recommended, but not absolutely required. Baseball or football type shoes with square or rectangular cleats are not legal for soccer. Soccer cleats for most recreational play must be rubber or molded plastic (no metal cleats or sharp edges).  Check your players’ shoes for illegal cleats, protruding nails, or sharp edges, and rectify any problems before a referee discovers a violation and one of your players is forced to sit out a game.

4.  WATER BOTTLE (with player’s name on it) - Fresh water should be available to your players at each practice and game. It is easier for the coach if each player provides his or her own water bottle.

5.  SHIRTS, SOCKS, AND SHORTS - One or more of these items may be provided for each player by TCYS.  Names can be placed on shirts (Have a parent coordinate, if he team consensus is to have this done)  The use of fist names and nick names are discouraged.

NOTE:  Scholarship funding for Equipment is available through TCYS.