PDSA Official Rules

The following weather and field conditions will be guidelines for determining practices and match suspensions.

If any of these conditions are met or anticipated to be met prior to match play, coaches will be notified no later than one hour before the scheduled match start time.

Suppose any of these conditions are met during match play, with at least 50% of the match being completed. In that case, the match will be suspended entirely and not be rescheduled unless otherwise agreed upon by both Coaches and the division Commissioner.

Suppose any of these conditions are met during match play, with less than 50% completed. In that case, the match will be suspended and rescheduled unless otherwise agreed upon by both Coaches and the division Commissioner. When the suspended match is rescheduled, the game will resume at the point it was suspended.

Field Conditions: Standing water or snow or otherwise deemed not suitable by the PDSA Board

Lightning: Regardless of whether it's a practice session or match play, should lightning occur within a 10-mile radius of the playing area, you must postpone the activity. The Brown Road Soccer Complex is equipped with a lightning detection system. Look for a pole that flashes when there's a lightning alert. Upon this signal, players, spectators, coaches, and referees must find a safe place to shelter for 30 minutes. Please note the 30-minute waiting period restarts with each subsequent lightning strike.

Wind: Wind: Sustained 35 mph or gusts more than 50 mph

Temperature: PDSA has adopted the same heat standards as UIL. We use the web bulb globe temperature (not the same as standard temperature) and safety protocols. The WBGT is a comprehensive measure that combines air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, and air movement to assess heat stress conditions.

We have adopted these for both game and practice activities. Please review the activity guidelines below, understand this is not a play or dont play only option. There is also guidance on the level of activity and amount of breaks during activities.

WBGT Forecasting Resource

https://convergence.unc.edu/tools/wbgt/

Instructions:

• Type your location/address in the white box or select a location on the map.
• This should be specific to the exact location the practice or contest is located.
• Select “Texas UIL Class 2” as the flag level guideline.
• Click the “Submit” button at the bottom and scroll down the page to see the forecast.

Competitions & Possible Modifications to Competitions

Modifications that potentially can be made include (but are not limited to the following):

• Alter start times as possible to allow participation in the best conditions possible.
• Unlimited access to cool water.
• Shade structures/tents on the sideline to allow athletes to get out of the direct sunlight.
• Fans/Misters to allow for evaporative cooling.
• Ice towels/sponges.
• Potentially using additional strategically placed official timeouts (possibly at 15-minute mark or halfway through each quarter) agreed upon by both coaches and officials before the start of the game. This would allow the quick stoppage of play and permit officials, athletes, and coaches to hydrate and cool off quickly. 
• Lengthening halftimes to allow for more complete cool down and hydration/refueling processes to occur.
• A modification, in addition to those listed above, may include reducing the length of play if both teams agree upon it.

Above and beyond all recommendations, health and safety are first and foremost. If you are uncomfortable or your child has a medical condition, please communicate that with your coach and take appropriate steps as needed with your child. Absolutely do not “push it”, “tough it out,” to play in unsafe conditions, or be pressured into doing so. No amount of practice or on-field experience is worth a medical situation.

Parents and coaches will be responsible for following the rules in practice situations. The board will provide alerts via Facebook and email for PDSA match games.