LMSC Daylight Availability Chart
Use this chart (see link above) to know when it will be too dark to practice at various times of the year. Practices will need to end a few minutes
before the times listed. Games will need to end 15 minutes before the time listed. Keep in mind that Daylight Saving Time starts
on the second Sunday in March, giving everyone an extra hour of daylight in the evening. Daylight Saving Time ends on the first
Sunday in November.
Winter Weather Safety Chart
In the winter, coaches must be aware of the Wind Chill Factor which is a combination of the temperature and the wind speed.
CLICK HERE to see the Wind Chill Temperature Index.
- Black Zone: Training MUST be cancelled. Teams will be credited for any turf field rentals.
- Red Zone: Training MUST be cancelled. Teams will be credited for any turf field rentals.
- Orange Zone: Training is discouraged, unless training during the day and in the sun. We will try to get a credit for any turf field rentals
if cancelled, but this is not guaranteed. If teams do train, coaches should consider shortening the practice time and be sure that players
can quickly get to a warm area as soon as practice is over.
- Yellow Zone: It is OK to train, but players should wear hats and gloves. They also need to dress in layers that they can shed, if necessary.
- Green Zone: Training is as normal.
Practices also must be cancelled if there is ice on the field. This makes for a dangerous situation.
Indoor practices must be cancelled if driving conditions are not safe.
The "simplified" policy at Proving Grounds and Tees is that they will allow for a cancellation if it is 25 degrees or lower. This does not take into
consideration the wind which also affects safety. Cancellations to Proving Grounds or other field rental sites must be made in writing to the
organization by the LMSC President. Travel teams with questions about whether to cancel outdoor practices on any given night should
e-mail LMSC President
Biff Sturla.
Summer Heat And Humidity Safety Chart
CLICK HERE to read US Soccer's "Heat Guildelines," including a description of how to calculate whether it is safe to play, based on
your area's current temperature and relative humidity. This does NOT take into account wind speed or low light conditions.
The WeatherFX App - The Weather FX App is available for both Apple devices and Android devices. The App
will estimate the effects of warm weather on human physiology. The app can povide guidance on
work/rest ratios and fluid intake due to high temperatures. It uses information from the closest weather station to you. Most important, the
app will give you a "flag condition" color which can be any of the following:
| Black | Extreme Conditions | No Outdoor Training, delay training until cooler, or Cancel Training |
| Red | High Risk for Heat Related Illness | Maximum of 1 hour of training with four 4 minute during the hour. No additional conditioning allowed. |
| Orange | Moderate Risk for Heat Related Illness | Maximum of 2 hours of training with four 4 minute breaks each hour, OR a 10 minute break every 30 minutes of training. |
| Yellow | Less Than Ideal Conditions | Three Separate 4 minute breaks each hour, OR a 10 minute break every 40 minutes of training |
| Green | Good Conditions | Normal Activities. Three Separate 3 minute breaks each hour of training, OR a 10 minute break every 45 minutes |
Air Quality Index
If teams are aware of a potential air quality issue in their home market in advance of hosting a match, they must notify the league as soon as they become aware of the issue. Teams are to use www.AIRNOW.gov to determine AQI in the local market. AQI is to be read 1 hour prior to teams starting warmups.
Based on the reading the following must be implemented:
AQI 100-150:
- Add one hydration break per half to be taken at the 30' and 75' or at a natural break close to the times.
- Players with underlying health conditions should use caution and will communicate with local CMO and each team to monitor players with complicating health issues. To make decisions in the players best interests and risk category
- EMS to have oxygen available as needed on game day-consider oxygen availability at each bench
AQI >150:
- Four hydration breaks will be taken at the 15', 30', 60', and 75' or at a natural break close to the times.
- Oxygen behind the benches to be supplied by teams with at least 2 masks available
- Team docs start communicating regarding any at-risk players and how to best continue forward for the health of the players
- Should coordinate with local public health officials and be in line with local and or regional restrictions if in place- this should take into account players and spectators
AQI approaching 180-200:
- Consideration for postponing or canceling with on the ground assessment with the medical team
- Should coordinate with local public health officials and be in line with local and or regional restrictions if in place- this should take into account players and spectators
AQI over 200:
YC3E-6P5G-YYIL-CS2M
