IMPORTANT POLICIES

“TIMES TWO” POLICY:

All SAY areas will require no less than two adults (suggested as unrelated), per team, to be present at all team functions such as games, practices, picnics, etc. No Exceptions! 

NOTES: 

1. The adults assigned can be a combination of coaches, parents, board members, etc. 

2. While the focus of this policy is the child, it also provides protection for the volunteers in case of misunderstandings. 

3. It is important that each SAY area reviews their policy on car-pooling. SAY National has for a long time recommended that volunteers not provide transportation for non-family members. This was more of an insurance issue, but now has implications with regards to the intent of the "Times Two" policy. 

IMPORTANT! Failure to implement the "Times Two" policy may adversely impact a SAYArea’s liability insurance coverage. 

NO-HEADING POLICY

In order to promote a safer playing environment, all players in the U12 and younger age divisions are prohibited from deliberately striking a soccer ball with any portion of their head (a.k.a. heading) in both games and practices. 

A. It is the responsibility of the coaches to restrict any heading activity during practice sessions and to support this no heading policy at all other times. 

B. If a player in a U12 or younger division game deliberately heads the ball, the referee is to stop the game and award an indirect free kick (IFK) to the opposing team in accordance with the SAY PLAYING RULES, LAW 12, Section 3-B. 

In the U14 age division, coaches should limit deliberate heading in practice sessions to a maximum of 15-20 headers and a maximum of 30 minutes total during any 7-day period. There are no limits or restrictions on heading in practices or in games for players in the older age divisions. Coaches should always instruct, teach, and emphasize the importance of player techniques for the heading of soccer balls. Heading of the ball is allowed in U14 and older age divisions without limitations. 

CONCUSSION POLICY

As outlined in the SAY National Concussion Policy posted on www.saysoccer.org, ALL coaches and officials regardless of their age and/or status will be required to complete a concussion training course. This training MUST be completed prior to being able to participate in any SAY activity, whether it be a practice or a game situation. The policy outlines the “Removal-From” and “Return-to-Play” procedure. Namely, any athlete that exhibits signs and symptoms of concussion either during a practice or during a game MUST be immediately removed. This athlete MAY NOT return to play nor participate in any SAY activity on the same day that they have been removed (even if a written medical clearance is provided). In addition, the athlete is not permitted to return to play or participate in any SAY activity until they have been assessed and received written clearance by a physician or by another licensed health care provider. All SAY areas (and Districts) are responsible for: 

1) Developing and distributing the specific criteria, which referees and coaches must follow, and 2) Monitoring and tracking their referees and coaches with regard to their individual compliance with this policy.