Heat Policy

AYSO Region 13’s goal is to provide a safe, fair, and fun soccer experience for our players. We recognize that excessive heat conditions can pose a threat to our players, volunteers, and spectators.

While the Region 13 administrators and Coaches make every effort to make decisions to keep our players safe, parents and players have the final say if conditions are safe enough for a player to participate in practices or games. Players can always choose, and are encouraged, not to participate if there are any personal concerns about playing conditions. 

Region 13’s heat policy was developed taking into recommendations by given by US Soccer and by the policy set by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). Region 13 will use the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) to determine if conditions are safe to play and if any adjustments to games or practices need to be made.

WBGT is a measure of conditions in direct sunlight and takes into account several factors, including temperature, humidity, wind, sun angle, and cloud cover. Geographically, Region 13 overlaps both the Pasadena Unified School District (Category 2) and the La Canada School District (Category 1). As a result, the WBGT heat policy of Region 13 is as follows:

If a WBGT reaches the Alert Level 3, games will be shortened by 1/3 according to the table below:

If conditions reach Alert Level 3, either head coach (or assistant coach if the head coach is not present, or the designated substitute coach in the case that neither head nor assistant coach is present) at a match may choose not to allow his/her team to participate. If a head coach (or substitute designated above) determines that it is not safe to play, no spectator or other volunteer may override the coach’s decision. If either head coach elects not to play, the match shall be abandoned without penalty of forfeiture. While not always possible, best efforts will be made to reschedule the match to a later date.

 

Protocol for Determining If Heat Conditions Warrant Modification or Cancellation of a Game or Practice 

 

AYSO Region 13 regularly monitors the weather forecast and conditions. If conditions warrant game or practice cancellation, the Region typically will notify coaches and families no later than 7 AM on game days or 4 PM on practice days. In certain circumstances, notification will be given earlier if weather conditions and forecasts permit.

 

Games:

 

On days where heat conditions may be hot enough to trigger game modification or cancellation, the center referee shall check the WBGT using the Zelus App to determine the WBGT on field.

How to Use The Zelus App

  1. Download the app at https://zelusports.com/
  2. Create a free account (don’t need a subscription)
  3. Give permissions to use your location
  4. Click on the round circle item to have the app locate you
  5. Read the WBGT

For La Canada fields (LCHS-JV, LDS, FIS Lower, FIS Upper, Paradise Canyon, Palm Crest Elementary, Oak Grove, Cornishon), Category 1 (USA WBGT CAT 1) conditions shall be used.

 

For Pasadena fields (Victory Park, La Salle, Eliot Arts Magnet, Blair, Allendale, Jefferson Park, Pasadena High School, Rose Bowl Area H, Brookside, Jackie Robinson @ Brookside, Muir South, Muir North, Muir Central, McKinley Middle, Wilson Middle, Pasadena Christian School, Odyssey School), Category 2 (USA WBGT CAT 2) conditions shall be used.

 

If the referee does not have the Zelus app, the referee may determine WBGT using the Zelus app using a device provided by an Assistant Referee or Coach.

 

Based on the WBGT, the referee shall modify the game as described above or cancel if WBGT exceeds the Category 1 threshold for a La Canada Field or Category 2 threshold for a Pasadena field. Before the start of the second half, the referee shall again determine the WBGT and shall make appropriate adjustments based on WBGT and Alert Level as described above. Any game cancellation because of heat will result in no record (win/loss) for either team.

 

Practice:

 

On days where heat conditions may be hot enough to trigger game modification or cancellation, the coaches of the team shall check the WBGT using the Zelus App to determine the WBGT on field and shall enact the heat modifications, based on WBGT, described above.

 

If practice must be shortened, Region 13 recommends that the practice starts later to allow conditions to cool, however practices must still end on time.

 

Coaches:

AYSO Region 13 strongly recommends that coaches take additional training on heat related illnesses by taking the CDC heat related illness course. This training is optional, but important for coaches to know and recognize heat-related illness.

Region 13 recommends that coaches bring extra water for their players in case they run out of water.

Coaches are also recommended to make adjustments to practice to reduce stress on players. For example, lower intensity and shorter duration drills with frequent water breaks are recommended for players under hot conditions. 

Steps to Keep Cool:

It is mandatory for players to bring water and drink it to help avoid dehydration. Additionally, several ways to keep players cool include:

  1. Bringing a portable tent to give shade to players
  2. Bringing wet cloths
  3. Bringing a bottle to spray players with