We need your help in working with our youth referees. These kids have worked hard in attending an 11 hour course and have passed tough written exam so that they may volunteer their time to help us keep all our games fair, fun and safe. Refereeing is an art that requires dedication, practice, and learning from your mistakes in order to improve. There will be a zero tolerance policy in place for anyone who yells at or is disrespectful towards a youth referee. Indivuduals who treat youth referees inappropriately will be subject to disciplinary action. When youth referees make mistakes, please notify our referee administrator. He will do his best to advise the referee in a manner that will the referee to grow while keeping up their self esteem and confidence. If your child volunteered their free time and tried their best to keep kids safe, would you want an angry adult yelling at them?

Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke are all serious (in some cases fatal) heat-induced conditions. It is imperative for the safety of your players and volunteers that you and your coaches know how to identify and treat them.

When a body loses too much water and salt through sweat, muscles tend to cramp (particularly in the abdomen and legs). Players suffering from these painful "heat cramps" should:

• Rest in a shady spot.
• Sip one glass of cool water every 15 minutes until the pain relents.

If the player's parents are on hand, have them help by

Players with cool, moist, or flushed skin, heavy sweating, headache, nausea, dizziness, or muscle cramps may be experiencing heat exhaustion. This condition occurs when, because of high humidity or restrictive clothing, sweat is not properly evaporated and the body cannot cool down. To assist a player experiencing heat exhaustion

• Have the player lie down in a shady spot and elevate his or her feet.
• Remove the child's shoes, shin guards, and socks.
• Apply cold packs to the armpit and scalp areas.
• Have the player drink water or an electrolyte solution.
• Dampen the player's skin with cool cloths.
• Fan the player to help evaporate excess sweat.

If the player's parents are on hand, have them

• Remove the player's shirt.
• Apply cold packs to the groin area.

When a body completely loses the ability to cool itself, the internal temperature continues to rise resulting in heat stroke. If a player's temperature rises too quickly, brain damage and/or death may result. Players suffering from heat stroke may have hot, dry skin -- those with fair complexions may appear red, while darker-skinned individuals may appear gray. Victims may also experience a very rapid pulse and extremely high body temperature. In some cases, victims of heat stroke may seem confused, unresponsive, or even suffer from seizures. Recovery from heatstroke depends on the amount of time it takes to return the body temperature to normal, so immediate medical attention is imperative.

If you suspect that a player is suffering from heat stroke

• Call 911 immediately.
• Follow the recommended treatment for heat exhaustion.
• DO NOT attempt to give any liquids.
• Contact the player's parents.

Professional soccer players lose seven and a half pounds of sweat during a game. In order to avoid serious heat-induced conditions, players must drink enough fluids to replace that sweat. Every player should carry his or her own sports bottle to practice, and coaches need to stop for drink breaks every 15 minutes during the summer. Symptoms of dehydration may include

• Dry lips and tongue.
• Sunken eyes.
• Dizziness or a loss of energy.

In addition to staying hydrated, wearing loose-fitting, lightweight clothing in light colors will help keep the body cool. Coaches must remember to conduct shorter, easier practices in the summer.

• Eat far enough ahead so food doesn't make you sick to your stomach during the soccer game.
• Eat a healthy meal about 3 or 4 hours before your practice or match.
• If you must snack, eat only a small quantity of a complex carbohydrates. Foods such as cereal, English muffins, pasta or a piece of toast. Just make sure you don't eat less than an hour before the game!
• Three hours before any sport activity, drink a couple of glasses of water (12 oz. sized glass).
• Don't gulp! Sip the water slowly.
• One hour before game time, drink a little more water.
• During the match, drink a little water every 15 minutes or so.
• Drinking fluids is important!
• After the game, drink more water.
• Thirty minutes after any competition, eat a meal high in complex carbohydrates to help restore your body's blood sugar (glycogen levels).