Protecting Player Safety
AYSO’s Safe Haven: Play It Safe
Not Allowed
Adults are not permitted to play soccer during practices or games
To protect our players from serious injury, adults — including coaches, referees, and parents — may not scrimmage or play against youth players at any AYSO Region 75 activity.
Adults Playing Soccer
- Only adults registered in AYSO’s Adult Soccer program, playing in an authorized AYSO Adult Soccer game, are covered by AYSO insurance.
- For player safety and injury prevention, adults are not allowed to play in any game, scrimmage, or practice against youth players. Serious injuries and claims have occurred from an adult falling on a child.
- Coaches are allowed to demonstrate soccer skills and techniques as part of coaching a team. No coach, trainer, or parent should “play” against a child.
Excluded Activities
As stated in the AYSO Reference Book — National Policy Statements
Policy 2.16
Excluded Activities. AYSO insurance does not cover adults, including registered volunteers, playing in a game of soccer. This exclusion includes coach versus referee goodwill games, parent scrimmages, and especially parent versus player scrimmages. Because of the risk of serious injury, under no circumstances should adults engage in scrimmages or games against minors.
Not Allowed
No exceptions — this applies to every practice, game, and goodwill scrimmage across Region 75.
Notify AYSO Officials
Notify AYSO officials of any potential hazard.
If you see an adult playing against, or scrimmaging with, youth players, please contact your Safety Director at safety@ayso75.org.
