Safety Protocol

Note: All Lavender League policies are subject to change. We’re committed to continuous improvement. Last updated: March 2024.

Summary

The safety protocol outlined below aims to prioritize the well-being of participants in our adult recreational soccer league by implementing measures to prevent injuries and effectively manage any incidents that occur during gameplay, with a specific focus on treating injuries and concussions.

By implementing these measures, we aim to foster a safe and enjoyable environment for all league players, prioritizing their health and well-being throughout the season. 

Additional Resources

1. Pre-Game Preparation:

Medical Personnel Availability

Lavender League does not provide medical care. We may, at times, have external partners of licensed professionals who will support in injury prevention, concussion assessment, and treatment of minor injuries at games. This is not to replace the services of medical professionals —if you are injured during play, we always recommend you seek medical treatment. 

At games and non-game meetups such as practices, skill shares, or workshops, a first aid kit will be provided.

Equipment Check 

Prior to the game, referees or league officials must inspect all equipment including goal posts, nets, corner flags, and playing surfaces for any hazards or defects. Referees must inspect players for proper soccer cleats and any jewelry that may pose a risk during gameplay.

Warm-up and Stretching

All players are highly encouraged to participate in a thorough warm-up and stretching routine to prevent muscle strains and injuries. Below are recommended warm-up and stretch routines to complete before any practice or game.

Dynamic Stretching- Preferred method of stretching, which involves the oscillation, or back and forth motion to end range, of a stretch that is targeting a specific muscle or set of muscles. It decreases the tone of some overly tight muscles. 

Stretches: focus on ankle and hip stretches

(Toe sits/bounces, Half Kneeling Hip Flexor Dynamic Stretch into 360 ankle dorsi/plantar stretch)

Targeted Muscle Activation- Now it’s time to try and “turn on” the muscles we are about to use a lot in our specific sport. The better we can get the muscles firing, the better we will be able to move and function when it comes to the big movements.

Exercises: focus on the core, glutes, quads, calves

(Bird dog, Single Leg Glute Bridge, Lateral lunge, calf raises, forward lunge or reverse lunge w/leg raise, airplanes)

Movement Pattern Development + Central Nervous System Activation- (could be considered the most important part to reducing risk of injury) As we are getting more ready to go play soccer, it is important to start rehearsing the actual movements like running/sprinting/kicking/jumping. Once we feel confident in those movements, we can intensify them by increasing the speed and amount of power we exert. It involves ramping up the central nervous system and preparing the body for explosive performance. These movements target coordination and muscle recruitment in the entire body to increase the way the brain and neurological system is signaling to the muscles.

Exercises: sprinting, jumping, landing, and kicking with a focus on doing some single-legged. 

(Pogos, high knees, lateral and front/back jumps, ice skaters, jump + tuck jump, shuffles into sprints (multidirectional))

2. Injury Prevention:

Player Education 

Prior to the start of the season, all registered players will be provided information on injury prevention techniques and the importance of proper warm-up, hydration, and fitness.

Referee Vigilance 

Referees should enforce the rules strictly to minimize dangerous plays such as slides from behind, high kicks, and reckless challenges.

Fair Play

The best way to avoid injury is to promote fair and fun play, and good sportspersonship. The league will continue to encourage fair play and step in when a safety risk arises.

3. Injury Management

Immediate Response 

In the event of an injury, stop play immediately and provide assistance to the injured player. If necessary, call for medical help.

  1. All emergency contact information must be with the league at all times during practices, games and team functions.

  2. First concern is to make sure the player is not seriously injured. Never move a player that may have internal injuries. If serious injury is suspected, emergency contacts will be contacted, and the league will support the player in seeking medical attention.

  3. Any head injuries resulting in disorientation should result in a player remaining out of the remainder of the game or practice. See the Concussion Policy and Protocol for further guidance.

First Aid Kits 

Ensure that well-stocked first aid kits are available at the field at all times.

  • Antiseptic wipes

  • Tweezers

  • Ace Bandages

  • Plastics bags for ice / ice packs

  • Scissors

  • Band-Aids

  • Roll Gauze

  • Triangular Bandage

  • Eye Pads

  • Menstruation pads

  • Adhesive Tape

  • Latex Gloves

  • Antibiotic Ointment

  • Eye wash/saline solution

  • Spray bottle 1:10 chlorine bleach to water

  • Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Allergy Relief

  • Antacid

Blood and Blood Borne Pathogens

Any bleeding that occurs must be administered with latex gloves and properly sterilized bandages. Any bandages, uniforms, or other items that have come in contact with blood must be properly disposed of.

A player may be required to change blood-soaked clothing before returning to play.

Transportation

In the event a player becomes injured and needs to be transported to receive further medical treatment league officials and safety partners will determine if calling Emergency Medical Services is necessary. If the player can be safely transported without the support of EMS, league officials will contact the player's emergency contact and support in driving to the nearest hospital.

For the Spring 2024 season at Clinton Park, the nearest hospital is Providence Portland Medical Center at 4805 NE Glisan St.

4. Concussion Protocol

What is a concussion? 

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury—or TBI—caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth. This sudden movement can cause the brain to bounce around or twist in the skull, creating chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretching and damaging brain cells. (source: CDC)

What you may observe if someone has a concussion:

  • Can’t recall events prior to or after a hit or fall.

  • Appears dazed or stunned.

  • Forgets an instruction, is confused about an assignment or position, or is unsure of the game, score, or opponent.

  • Moves clumsily.

  • Answers questions slowly.

  • Loses consciousness (even briefly).

  • Shows mood, behavior, or personality changes.

What you may experience if you have a concussion:

  • Headache or “pressure” in head.

  • Nausea or vomiting.

  • Balance problems or dizziness, or double or blurry vision.

  • Bothered by light or noise.

  • Feeling sluggish, hazy, foggy, or groggy.

  • Confusion, or concentration or memory problems.

  • Just not “feeling right,” or “feeling down”.

Sideline Evaluation:

If a player is suspected of having a concussion, they must be immediately removed from the game and evaluated. 

Return-to-Play Protocol:

If a player has been diagnosed with a concussion, or if league officials and safety partners suspect a concussion, they should only return to play after being cleared by a healthcare professional trained in concussion management. Ultimately, the player is responsible for seeking medical care post injury.

5. Post-Game Procedures

Injury Documentation: Document all injuries that occur during the game, including the nature of the injury and the treatment provided. The injury report form helps to track and improve game play experience within the league so we can do our best to prevent injury.

Follow-up: Follow up with injured players to ensure they receive appropriate support during their recovery.

6. COVID-19 Precautions

All players are encouraged to wear masks and face coverings when appropriate, test for COVID regularly, and stay up to date on vaccinations. If you test positive for, are displaying symptoms of, or have had contact with someone with COVID, please keep our community safe and stay home. If you test positive for COVID and suspect your exposure occurred at a League event, please inform us as soon as possible at info@lavenderleaguepdx.org.

The League will take appropriate steps to limit the spread of COVID, which may include canceling games and events.

7. League Policies and Enforcement

Accountability Agreement

Lavender League has an Accountability Agreement that covers expected behavior on and off the field for players and non-players. Should a player or individual consistently participate in behavior that poses a danger to themselves or others, Lavender League reserves the right to remove individual(s) from playing in or attending league events. 

Regular Review 

Every season, the league will review and update the safety protocol based on feedback, incidents, and advancements in medical knowledge. If you have any feedback on Lavender  Leagues safety protocol, please reach out to us at info@lavenderleaguepdx.org.