Heat Index Guideline
80-89: Athletes should be watched closely for any heat distress, and frequent water breaks should be taken.
90- 94: Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 5 minutes in duration. Find shade or other ways to cool down players. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for any heat distress.
95-99: Shorts, shoulder pads, and helmets only. Helmets removed when not needed. Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index. Mandatory water breaks every 30 minutes for 10 minutes in duration. Find shade or other ways to cool down players.
100-104: No shoulder pads. Helmets and shorts only. Helmets removed when not needed. Re-check temperature and humidity every 30 minutes to monitor for increased Heat Index. Mandatory water breaks every 20 minutes for 10 minutes in duration. Find shade or other ways to cool down players. Watch/monitor athletes carefully for necessary action. If necessary for safety, suspend activity.
104+ degrees: Activity will be suspended, postponed until later in the evening, or held indoors at the coach’s discretion. Activity could also be rescheduled or postponed, when the heat index has reached an acceptable level. No activity may begin until conditions are acceptable, meaning the heat index is below 104. All appropriate guidelines should be followed based on the reading at the time.
Ideas for cooling players: damp cool towels, fans, shade, misting bottles.
Air Quality Index Guidelines
All measurements will be taken from www.airnow.gov for the zip code where the activity is taking place.
AQI over 100: monitor all athletes for respiratory difficulty. Reduce long/heavy exertion with frequent breaks.
AQI over 150: outdoor activities should be shortened, and exertion should be minimized by decreasing the intensity of activity. Sensitive athletes should not participate. No games allowed. Low exertion practice allowed. Monitor athletes for respiratory difficulty.
AQI over 200: no outdoor activities allowed.