Cold-Weather Practice Policy
Practice will be cancelled under any of the following conditions:
All age groups (U13 and older):
Wind chill ≤ 25°F
Younger age groups (U12 and younger):
Wind chill ≤ 25°F
All age groups:
Unsafe field or travel conditions, including but not limited to:
Snow or ice on the field
Sleet or freezing rain
Heavy rain combined with cold temperatures
Unsafe road conditions for travel
Note: The 25°F wind chill threshold
aligns with U.S. Soccer’s recommended standard for cancellation.
Cold-Weather Gear Requirement
For any practice held in cold conditions:
Players must wear appropriate cold-weather gear, including:
Layered clothing
Hats and gloves
Weather-appropriate outer layers
Coaches are responsible for ensuring players remain properly dressed and actively moving.
Operational Expectations
60 minutes is the standard modified practice length.
Coaches must:
Arrive on time
Be fully set up before start time
Keep players moving consistently to maintain body temperature
The final practice decision will be communicated by a set daily cutoff time (e.g., 3:00 PM).
Updates will be shared through the club’s standard communication channels.
Final Note
This policy is designed to balance development and safety. When conditions are borderline, err on the side of caution. Safety considerations always take precedence over practice plans.
Communication
Guiding Principles
Player safety is the top priority and always overrides scheduling.
All temperature-related decisions will be based on wind chill (“feels like”), not air temperature alone.
When air temperature and wind chill differ, the lower value will always be used for decision-making.
Example:
Air temperature = 30°F
Wind chill = 10°F
→ Treat conditions as 10°F (practice cancelled).
U12 and Younger
Wind chill 25–30°F:
Practice will be modified by default (guaranteed modification).
Modifications include:
Reduced duration (standard modification: 60 minutes)
Frequent warm-up and movement breaks
Lower overall intensity
Continuous movement emphasized (no extended standing)
U13 and Older
Wind chill 26–35°F:
Practice may proceed with coach-managed modifications, including:
Shortened sessions (45–60 minutes as needed)
Frequent warm-up breaks
Adjusted intensity levels
Wind chill ≥ 35°F:
Normal practice may proceed if field and travel conditions are safe.