1) Volunteer Background Checks and Safesport Training
All coaches and volunteers involved in MASA need to complete and pass a State Police Criminal Record Check and a PA Child Abuse History Clearance. For those individuals who have not resided in PA continuously for the previous 10 years they must also complete and pass an FBI Criminal Background Check. The paperwork indicating a passed check then needs uploaded to the Affinity registration system for review and approval of the docs and clearance of the volunteer in the Affinity system.
Step by step background check instructions are in the Coaches Training and Background web page.
Safesport online training for coaches. The training covers bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct and abuse in sports.
2) Concussions
Concussions in youth sports are a growing concern and the topic has received significant media attention in the past year. To help ensure the health and safety of young athletes in the program, MASA has instructed all coaches to immediately pull a child from any game or practice if a concussion is suspected and not to return that child to play until cleared by a health professional or parental consent is given.
As a parent, MASA asks that you abide by a coach's decision to pull a player, read and understand the signs and symptoms of a concussion on this CDC Concussion Fact Sheet for Youth Sports Parents, seek medical advice if a concussion is suspected, and to speak up and make the coach aware if you see a possible concussion in a game or practice that may have been missed by a coach.
Due to the risk of concussions from heading a soccer ball, US Soccer recently announced a concussion initiative on headers. PA West (the governing body of MASA) adopted the following (effective immediately):
(1) No headers for all players age 10 years old and younger, regardless of what age group program they are playing in
(2) No headers for all players in U11 programs and younger
(3) Limited headers in practice for all players between the ages of 12 and 13 (no limits in games)
Referees will award indirect free kicks to the opposing team on violations of the USSF no header mandate
MASA has adopted the above policy and will err on the side of caution and ask that u12 also adopt this policy of no headers
3) Inclement Weather - Thunder/Lightning
All fields/open spaces are to be cleared at the first sound of thunder or the first flash of lightning...The fields/open spaces should remain clear until 30 minutes after the last rumble of thunder or flash of lightning.
PA West Weather Policy - Lightning/Thunder Guidelines
U.S. Youth Soccer Lightning Safety
4) Goal Safety
Sand bags must always be in place to anchor the back bottom bar of the goal—high winds can and have knocked goals over
Coaches and Parents: DO NOT allow players or siblings to hang from the goals—they will tip!!
Coaches and Parents: DO NOT allow players or siblings to "climb the nets" on the goals—they will tip!!
5) Player Equipment, Jewelry, Casts
All players are required to wear shin guards. Shin guards need to be completely covered by socks
Soccer cleats are highly suggested, but tennis shoes or indoor flats or treads are also permitted at the younger ages. BASEBALL CLEATS are strictly prohibited.
Players should not wear loose jewelry, necklaces, bracelets. Earrings need removed prior to practices and games
Arm casts are permitted if they are soft. Hard casts need covered with closed cell foam and wrapped with athletic tape