FC Drive | Player Safety
FIFA Circular no. 863 August 2003: Modern protective equipment such as headgear, facemasks, knee and arm protectors made of soft, lightweight, padded material are not considered dangerous and are therefore permitted.
FIFA also wishes to strongly endorse the statement on the use of sports spectacles made by the International FA Board on 10 March 2001 and subsequently in FIFA circular no. 750, dated 10 April 2001. New technology has made sports spectacles much safer, both for the player himself or herself and for other players. This applies particularly to younger players.
Protective Eyewear
IWSL: No street glasses or may be worn during the game. Only safety sport type glasses are allowed.
NISL: Normal spectacles/glasses are considered dangerous equipment. Players are required to wear sport spectacles/glasses while playing.
A soccer athlete who requires prescription spectacles has 2 options for eye protection: (a) polycarbonate lenses in a sports frame that passes ASTM F803 or (b) contact lenses plus an appropriate protector.
Appropriate eye protectors can be purchased at http://www.sporteyes.com and local retailers. There are several Rec Specs models which conform to the recommended standard.
Beyond the league rules, please note this important joint statement from American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness, and American Academy of Ophthalmology, Eye Health and Public Information Task Force:
All youth involved in organized sports should be encouraged to wear appropriate eye protection.
The full statement can be viewed at http://www.sportseyeinjuries.com/docs/Protective_eyewear.pdf.
Protective Headwear
NISL: Headwear with soft, non-abrasive material which fits the contour of the head, may be worn if necessitated by an injury or other medical condition.
Goal Safety
Properly anchored goals reduce player injury. Coaches and parents must caution players on the dangers of hanging on goals.
Illinois Youth Soccer RULE 021-A. GOAL SAFETY POLICY
Any coach who participates in practice or a game where the goals are not securely anchored shall be fined not less than $200 and suspended for a minimum of not less than one calendar year from the date of the practice or game involved. In the event the goal is not securely anchored the entity (team, club, league, state) that has primary responsibility for the field or event upon which the unsecured goal is situated shall be fined $1000. Coach means the head coach, any assistant coach, trainer or any other team official present at the time of the violation.
Each team shall maintain in written form a record for each team practice, in which the coach, assistant coach, trainer or other responsible person shall certify that he or she has performed a physical inspection of the goals used in the practice to verify the goals were securely anchored.
(Revised 2/5/05)
Artificial Surfaces
FIFA circular no. 750, 10 April 2001: FIFA stated that there was great interest in the introduction of these surfaces both for climatic reasons and for use in enclosed all seated stadia. Artificial surfaces are already permitted for qualifying matches in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Olympic Football Tournaments.