The following guidelines will be followed by all FC Copa Academy coaches, players, and teams:

These are ONLY guidelines and some exceptions to them will occur. FC Copa will make the final decision regarding cancellation and will post the decision on the team schedule and send a message to all teams. If there is any doubt and you do not hear from us, practices and games will take place as scheduled.

Soccer is a game that is played in the rain and on wet fields. Soccer is played in oppressive heat and in the snow on frozen ground. It is an opportunity for the players to learn to adapt and overcome the circumstances that nature, or life in general might throw at him or her. Players can wear additional layers under their uniform, they wear cleats to provide them with better traction and they can adjust their playing style in response to specific field and weather conditions. We will make every effort to consider the safety and health of the children in our program, while also recognizing that soccer is a worldwide sport played in a variety of conditions.

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• Extreme Heat: Per USSF Guidelines, when the temperature is at 105 degrees and the heat index is at a dangerous level, training or games may be canceled/postponed. In the event that it is very hot and games/ training is not canceled,  please send plenty of fluids with the players to avoid dehydration.
   

• Extreme Cold: Per USSF Guidelines, when the temperature drops below 30 degrees (taking into account wind chill), training/ games may be canceled. 
   

• Lightning/Thunder: Rutgers University has installed a Lightning Prediction System to alert when conditions are favorable for lightning strikes. If the siren goes off during a game or training session in progress, coaches and spectators are to evacuate to their vehicles. Players will be alerted when it is safe to return to the field. Typically the game/ session can resume 30 minutes after the last lightning strike or 30 minutes after the siren has sounded. 

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At fields where there is no lightning alarm, if any lightning is detected, coaches and players are to evacuate to their vehicles. Typically, the game/ session can resume 30 minutes after the last lightning strike.

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Please be aware of weather conditions during practices and games, and be prepared to pick your child up early.