Injury Etiquette

​Unfortunately injuries do happen. In the event that a serious injury occurs the proper etiquette for the unaffected players is at a minimum to take a knee where they are on the field and allow coaches, parents to respond to the situation. The referee will signal the coaches if a stop in play is required to handle the injury. Please instruct your players so we can do the right thing if the unfortunate injury does happen. And always be ready to get help for your players. Do you know what emergency care provider to contact and do you know the phone numbers to get help? Do you have parents or have you taken a basic first aid course?

General Guidelines

• Planning before anything happens is key. 
• Do you have a cell phone, phone card and change to call for help? Do you know who to call for help and do you have the phone number for your local area. 
• Coaches should ask parents if any of them have first aid training. Some may be doctors, nurses or other medical professionals and following the advise of those better trained is always a good idea. ​
• It is a good idea to take a basic first aid course, or better yet, advanced first aid course. Many courses are offered by the Red Cross.

Click here for more information

• We have been working with the local Hazleton Red Cross (455-9517) to offer this course to all coaches for next year.
• Coaches should bring a few zip lock bags of ice in a cooler to every game / practice. 
• We have provided a basic first aid kit at all our field locations. Let us know if anything is used so we can restock the kit. It may be a good idea to bring any other ideas you deem necessary in your own kit. Ask your physician, ambulance squad, or emergency medical facility to suggest a list of supplies for your medical kit. Check frequently that the kits are restocked.​
• Prevent many injuries and sprains by teaching, and allowing time for, warm - ups and cool - downs. 

For Minor Injury, remember R.I.C.E.

REST : Stop all activity that would further aggravate the injury. Continued motion forces blood into the damaged area. 
ICE : Use ice continuously for the first 15 minutes, then 10 minutes on and 10 minute off for the first 24 hours. 
COMPRESSION: To prevent swelling, wrap the injury with an elastic bandage. 
ELEVATION: If possible, raise the injured body part above heart level. ( If they are laying down you don't have to raise it very high to do this.)

RICE should be employed for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the severity of the injury. ​

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Real ice works well, and is easier on skin than chemical cold packs. However, instant cold packs are easier to keep handy. Use a towel to keep cold packs or ice off the skin. (Avoid tissue freezing) 

Don't take chances; kids who are injured should be removed from the field. Injuries shouldn't be worked out or run off.Strongly recommend parents have players checked by professional health care providers. Do not allow children to continue play.

Discourage parents from seeking a player's early return from an injury, as returning too soon will often lead to re injury.​

Important Numbers to have with you:

West Hazleton Ambulance Association. 455-5221.

Valley Emergency Ambulance Association. 788-5449.

Hazleton Paramedic, Medic 23. 454-8567.

McAdoo Community Ambulance. 929-2042.

Hazle Township Fire Rescue Company. 454-3411.

Sugarloaf Fire Company. 788-1115.

Conyngham Volunteer Fire Department. 788-2354.

West Hazleton Fire Department. 455-3696.

Fluid Guidelines

As one of the best means to preventing heat illness, the U.S. Soccer Federation recommends parents and coaches ensure children are well hydrated before practice and games. During activity, young athletes should drink on a schedule before they feel thirsty and consume five to nine ounces of fluid every 20 minutes (a child who weighs less than 90 lbs. needs five ounces of fluid and a child weighing more than 90 lbs. needs nine ounces of fluid).

"It's crucial that kids drink enough fluids before, during and after activity," said Oded Bar-Or, MD, a contributor to the development of the guidelines and professor of pediatrics and director of the Children’s Exercise and Nutrition Centre at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. "Research we conducted shows that when drinking plain water, children don't drink enough to avoid dehydration. Compared to water, kids will drink 90 percent more of a flavored sports drink with electrolytes like Gatorade to fully hydrate. It's important parents and coaches have these types of fluids available for children during activity."

The U.S. Soccer Federation Youth Heat Stress Guidelines were developed under the consultation of Oded Bar-Or, MD, professor of pediatrics and director of the Children's Exercise and Nutrition Centre at McMaster University and Bill Prentice, PhD, PT, ATC, professor of exercise and sports science and trainer for women’s soccer at the University of North Carolina. 

The U.S. Soccer Federation plans to incorporate the Youth Soccer Heat Stress Guidelines into its coaches' curriculum that will reach thousands of youth soccer coaches across the country.

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer is one of the world's first organizations to be affiliated with FIFA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association, soccer's world governing body. As the governing body of soccer in all its forms in the United States, U.S. Soccer has helped chart the course for the sport in the USA for 88 years. In that time, the Federation's mission statement has been very simple and very clear: to make soccer, in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the United States and to continue the development of soccer at all recreational and competitive levels. 

For additional information about the U.S. Soccer Federation, please visit its Web site at www.ussoccer.com.

Additional Information

Please let us know when you use items from the first aid kits so we can re-stock them. Remember you need to protect yourself and others from blood and other body fluids. Players can not continue playing when bleeding. Dress the wound before allowing them to continue.

U.S. Soccer Federation Issues Guidelines to Prevent Dangerous Heat Illness in Young Players 

CHICAGO (Wednesday, May 8, 2002) Children are more susceptible to heat illness than adults. With this in mind and summer heat approaching, the U.S. Soccer Federation the governing body of all soccer in the United States has taken a leadership role to develop and distribute Youth Soccer Heat Stress Guidelines for youth coaches and parents.

The goal is to help prevent the potentially deadly effects of heat illness among the 14 million U.S. children who play soccer.

The guidelines provide coaches with an overview of the latest research and information regarding: 1) the physiological factors and soccer-specific factors that place young athletes at risk for heat illness, 2) heat illness prevention techniques and 3) the signs and symptoms of dehydration and heat illness.

"As a U.S. Soccer coach for more than 20 years, I think it's critical to educate coaches, parents and young players about heat illness, which is the most preventable sports injury, " said John Ellinger, head coach, U.S. Under-17 Men's National Soccer Team. 

To ensure the key points from the guidelines are memorable for coaches, parents and kids, the U.S. Soccer Federation has developed the acronym G.O.A.L. which stands for:

• Get acclimated active kids' (and adults') bodies need time to gradually adapt to increased exposure to high temperatures and humidity. During this eight to 10-day acclimation process, it's especially important for kids to drink enough fluids. 
• On a schedule, drink up thirst isn't an accurate indicator of fluid needs. Young athletes should be encouraged to drink on a schedule or at regular intervals before they become thirsty. 
• Always bring a Gatorade especially during games and practices in the heat, replacing electrolytes and providing energy is crucial to keeping kids safe and going strong to enjoy their games. 
• Learn the warning signs of dehydration and heat illness if someone becomes fatigued, dizzy, nauseous or has a headache during exercise in the heat, have them stop, rest and drink fluids. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist.