Warm weather can make training and matchdays enjoyable, but high temperatures and strong sunshine also increase the risk of dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Children can be particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness. Park Regis Junior FC therefore asks managers, coaches, parents and players to work together to ensure football activities are properly planned and adapted during hot weather.
The intention is not to cancel football automatically whenever the temperature rises. Conditions should be assessed sensibly, taking account of the temperature, humidity, strength of the sun, time of day, playing surface, age of the players and intensity of the planned activity.
On very hot days, strenuous activity may need to be reduced, rearranged or cancelled. Government guidance advises that children should not take part in strenuous physical activity on very hot days. Read the current government hot-weather guidance.
What managers and coaches should do
Managers and coaches have a responsibility to consider the conditions before every training session and fixture.
Before training or a match
Managers should:
- Check the latest weather forecast, expected temperature and any heat-health warnings;
- Consider the temperature at the actual time of the activity—not only the daily maximum;
- Avoid or reduce strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day where practical;
- Check that the playing surface is safe, particularly if prolonged dry weather has made it excessively hard, cracked or uneven;
- Remind parents that every player must arrive with sufficient drinking water;
- Ensure additional drinking water is available where reasonably possible;
- Identify a shaded area where players can rest and cool down;
- Check that the team first-aid kit is available;
- Consider shortening or adapting the session;
- Plan additional substitutions, rest periods and drinks breaks; and
- Discuss drinks or cooling breaks with the opposition and referee before a match.
If the forecast suggests that conditions could be unsuitable, managers should communicate with the club, parents, opposition and match officials as early as possible.
The FA advises that a referee may allow a cooling break where the temperature at kick-off is likely to reach 25°C or above. Drinks breaks can also be agreed at lower temperatures. The referee remains responsible for managing breaks during a match. Read the FA’s guidance on drinks and cooling breaks.
Adapt the activity
A normal training plan may not be appropriate in unusually hot conditions. Managers and coaches should be prepared to:
- Reduce the length and intensity of the session;
- Avoid repeated sprints and demanding fitness drills;
- Allow more frequent rest and drinks breaks;
- Use shaded areas for team talks;
- Rotate players and use substitutes regularly;
- Avoid leaving substitutes standing in direct sunlight;
- Encourage players to drink rather than waiting for them to ask;
- Finish the session early if conditions become unsafe; and
- Cancel or rearrange the activity if it cannot be conducted safely.
Winning a match, completing a training plan or avoiding inconvenience must never take priority over player welfare.
Monitor every player
Managers and coaches should watch for changes in a player’s behaviour or performance. A child experiencing heat stress may become unusually tired, quiet, irritable, confused or unsteady.
No player should be told to “push through” dizziness, sickness, cramp, headache or unusual fatigue.
Any player who says they feel unwell must be taken seriously, removed from activity and assessed.
What parents and carers should do
Parents and carers play an important part in preparing children for football in hot weather.
Before leaving home
Parents should ensure that their child:
- Has been drinking regularly before arriving;
- Brings a clearly named bottle containing sufficient water;
- Has eaten appropriately and is not arriving hungry or already unwell;
- Has applied suitable sunscreen before leaving home;
- Has appropriate lightweight clothing for before and after the activity;
- Brings a sunhat to wear while waiting or when not playing; and
- Has had adequate sleep and is fit to take part.
Government guidance recommends sunscreen with a sun protection factor of at least SPF 30 and four- or five-star UVA protection. It should be applied generously and reapplied regularly.
Parents should not assume that a manager or coach will be able to supply or apply sunscreen. There may be allergy, consent and safeguarding considerations, so sunscreen should normally be applied at home.
Tell the manager about relevant concerns
A parent should inform the manager privately if their child:
- Has an illness or medical condition that could be affected by heat;
- Uses medication that may affect their response to hot weather;
- Has recently experienced vomiting or diarrhoea;
- Is already dehydrated or feeling unwell;
- Has previously suffered heat-related illness; or
- Is unusually tired before the activity begins.
A child who is already ill or dehydrated should not be expected to participate simply because a fixture or training session has been arranged.
Parents should also remain available and contactable throughout the activity in case their child becomes unwell.
Never leave a child in a parked car
Children must never be left in a stationary vehicle during hot weather, even for a short period. The temperature inside a closed vehicle can rise dangerously quickly.
What players should do
Players must also take responsibility for telling an adult how they feel.
Players should:
- Drink water regularly throughout the day;
- Bring their own named water bottle;
- Drink during every scheduled break;
- Avoid sharing bottles with other players;
- Use sunscreen and reapply it when necessary;
- Wear a hat while waiting before or after the activity;
- Rest in the shade whenever possible;
- Tell the manager immediately if they feel unwell; and
- Look out for teammates who appear to be struggling.
Players must not wait until they feel extremely thirsty before drinking. Intense thirst can be a sign that dehydration is already developing.
Players should immediately report:
- Dizziness or feeling faint;
- A headache;
- Feeling sick or being sick;
- Muscle cramps;
- Unusual tiredness or weakness;
- Difficulty concentrating;
- Feeling confused or irritable;
- Excessive thirst; or
- Feeling much hotter than normal.
There is no shame in asking to come off the pitch. Reporting symptoms early can prevent a more serious medical emergency.
Recognising heat exhaustion
According to the NHS, symptoms of heat exhaustion can include:
- Tiredness;
- Dizziness;
- Headache;
- Nausea or vomiting;
- Excessive sweating;
- Pale or clammy skin, although changes in skin colour can be harder to see on brown or black skin;
- Cramps in the arms, legs or stomach;
- A high temperature;
- Intense thirst; and
- Irritability.
If someone is showing possible signs of heat exhaustion:
- Stop them playing immediately.
- Move them to a cool or shaded place.
- Remove unnecessary clothing.
- Give them cool water or a suitable rehydration drink.
- Cool their skin with cool water, fanning or wrapped cold packs.
- Stay with them and monitor their condition.
- Contact their parent or carer.
They should begin to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes. Seek advice from NHS 111 if the symptoms are difficult to manage or there is any concern.
Heatstroke is a medical emergency
Possible signs of heatstroke include:
- A very high temperature;
- Hot skin that is not sweating;
- Fast breathing or shortness of breath;
- A fast heartbeat;
- Confusion or lack of coordination;
- A seizure or fit;
- Loss of consciousness; or
- Remaining unwell after 30 minutes of cooling and drinking fluids.
If heatstroke is suspected, call 999 immediately and continue trying to cool the person while waiting for help.
Managers, coaches and parents can find full first-aid information on the NHS heat exhaustion and heatstroke page.
After training or a match
Hot-weather precautions should continue after the final whistle.
Managers should check that no player appears unwell before they leave. Parents should encourage their child to:
- Continue drinking water;
- Move into the shade or a cooler place;
- Change out of hot or sweaty clothing;
- Have a cool shower;
- Eat and rest appropriately; and
- Report any headache, dizziness, sickness, cramping or unusual tiredness.
Symptoms can become more noticeable after activity has finished, so players should continue to be monitored.
Safety comes before football
Hot weather does not automatically mean that football must be cancelled. However, activities must be properly assessed and adapted.
At Park Regis Junior FC:
- Managers and coaches must plan responsibly;
- Parents must prepare their children properly;
- Players must drink regularly and report symptoms;
- Everyone must look out for one another; and
- No player should continue if they are showing signs of heat-related illness.
A shortened, rearranged or cancelled session may be disappointing, but protecting the health and welfare of our young players will always be the most important consideration.
