Falling Goals
Consumer Products Safety Commission issues a warning that
goals need to be secured with pins or using sandbags are they are capable
of falling over during a strong wind and might cause
severe injuries or even fatalities (click here for CPSC
report, or here for extended version).
).
OYSAN has a Safety Checklist for
more information. The boys OASL league also will carry out inspections
throughout the year. Under no circumstance should a player try to hang on the
goal cross bar as the goal might tip and fall on top of him/her. SYSA has also a
Goal Safety Policy.
Lightning
Lightning is very dangerous for anyone who is outside, including soccer players.
During outdoors activities, about 400 people are hit by lightning each year in the US
resulting in about 80 fatalities
and the referee should therefore pause the game right away if lightning is present in the area.
The US Youth Soccer organization has
helpful information and instructions regarding lightning.
The OASL league
has in its Bylaws stated that one needs to stop the game/practice
and wait at least 20 minutes after the last lightning flash has occured.
Injuries
Like any sport, playing soccer can also result in injury of the players. One
type injury, ACL knee injury, is 3x more common among female soccer players
compared to male soccer players.
Click
here for more information and the prevention of ACL injuries.