Abuse Prevention
Preventing abuse in sport begins with awareness and how to recognize the red flags of emotional, physical and sexual misconduct, and then what to do if abuse does occur.
Concussion
Mental Health
Athletes are just as likely to suffer from mental health issues as non-athletes. The very nature of sport can bring about psychological issues in athletes, even though participation in athletics has many benefits. It is important to understand the signs of mental health disorders and how to address them to limit impact on participation in sport and daily life.
Weather and Lightning
We follow NCYSA's procedure regarding lightning. No place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. If a storm is approaching, all activity should be suspended, even if lightning or thunder has not yet been observed, and everyone should get indoors.
Safe locations should be available with enough capacity to hold all who may need safe shelter. A primary location would be a fully enclosed building with wiring and plumbing. A fully enclosed vehicle with a solid metal roof, like a school bus, would be a safe secondary option. Open fields and open-sided shelters are not safe.
If there are no adequate safe shelters close to the field, play must be stopped well in advance of the storm to allow everyone to travel to a safe place or their home.
Outdoor activity may resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or flash of lightning. The 30-minute clock restarts every time lightning flashes or thunder sounds.
US Soccer provided guidelines on safety during extreme heat and cold.
Weather Guidelines
Decisions to practice or play games is ultimately the responsibility of the head coach. When possible, LYSA will try to provide timely guidance. Also, the Lenoir Parks & Recreation Department may close the fields in poor weather conditions or to protect the fields.
The goal of the weather guidelines is to maximize safety and also balance playing time with the comfort of players, coaches and parents. They are guidelines and not rules in order to allow coaches freedom to make good decisions.
All coaches, players, parents, and spectators should seek shelter immediately if thunder is heard or lightning is seen at the soccer fields. If no thunder is heard or lightning seen after 30 minutes, everyone can return to the fields. This is NC Youth Soccer Association's policy.
Heat index between 90 and 105 degrees should have modified play with extra water breaks and shorter practice or games.
Rather than list all the conditions for which play should be canceled, the table below lists the borderline conditions. In conditions worse than those listed, play should usually be shortened or cancelled.
BORDERLINE WEATHER CONDITIONS
| Any | Any | Lightning or Thunder | 30 minutes since last flash seen or sound of thunder heard |
| <35 degrees | < 5 mph | | |
| <40 degrees | < 10 mph | sprinkles | |
| <45 degrees | <20 mph | light rain | |
| >25 mph | | see National Weather Service for forecast |
| >100 heat index | | | |