CARDIAC AWARENESS: KEEPING PLAYERS SAFE

Player safety is an important part of the Armada Futbol Club environment. Armada’s Risk Management Program includes education on cardiac awareness, concussion awareness, and abuse prevention for players, parents, coaches, team staff, and managers.

Understanding cardiac health is important because serious heart-related emergencies can happen unexpectedly during physical activity. Recognizing warning signs, responding appropriately, and following medical guidance can help create a safer environment for every player.

WHY CARDIAC AWARENESS MATTERS

Youth athletes train and compete at different levels of intensity throughout the season. Most players participate safely, but symptoms that may indicate a cardiac concern should always be taken seriously.

Players, parents, and coaches should never assume that unusual symptoms during exercise are simply part of being tired or working hard.

Awareness allows adults and athletes to recognize when a player needs to stop activity and receive appropriate medical evaluation.

RECOGNIZING POSSIBLE WARNING SIGNS

Warning signs that should be taken seriously may include:

• Fainting or seizures during exercise

• Unexplained shortness of breath

• Chest pain

• Dizziness

• A racing heart rate

• Extreme or unusual fatigue

A player experiencing concerning symptoms should communicate them immediately to a coach, parent, team staff member, or another responsible adult.

REMOVE THE PLAYER FROM ACTIVITY

If a player experiences symptoms that may be associated with a cardiac problem during practice, a game, or another supervised soccer activity, participation should stop.

The priority is the player’s health, not finishing the session, match, tournament, or competition.

A player who has been removed because of concerning symptoms should not return to participation until the appropriate medical evaluation has been completed.

RETURN TO PLAY

Returning to soccer after a possible cardiac concern should be based on the recommendations of an appropriate healthcare professional.

Depending on the medical evaluation, a player may be advised to:

• Remain out of athletic activity

• Return with temporary restrictions

• Follow a gradual return to participation

• Return to full activity after medical clearance

Families and coaches should follow the healthcare provider’s recommendations before the player resumes training or competition.

ARMADA’S RISK MANAGEMENT APPROACH

Armada Futbol Club includes cardiac awareness as part of its broader Risk Management Plan.

The club’s program requires cardiac, concussion, and abuse-awareness information to be presented to families at the beginning of the season.

Participating families are also expected to review and complete required risk-management forms.

EDUCATION FOR COACHES & TEAM STAFF

Armada’s Risk Management Plan also includes separate education for coaches and team staff.

Coaches and staff are provided with information covering:

• Cardiac awareness

• Concussion awareness

• Abuse prevention

• Player safety responsibilities

• Appropriate response when a player shows concerning symptoms

Team managers also receive risk-management education so that additional adults around each team understand the club’s player-safety expectations.

PLAYER & FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES

Players and families are an important part of maintaining a safe soccer environment.

Families should:

• Review cardiac-awareness information

• Complete required acknowledgement forms

• Inform the appropriate adults about important health concerns

• Encourage players to report unusual symptoms

• Follow medical guidance before returning to play

Players should never feel pressure to hide symptoms simply because they want to remain in a game or training session.

REQUIRED CARDIAC AWARENESS FORMS

Tennessee State Soccer Association provides cardiac-awareness forms that support clubs, athletes, families, coaches, managers, and administrators.

ATHLETE / PARENT / GUARDIAN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Players and their parent or legal guardian should review the cardiac-awareness information and complete the appropriate acknowledgement documentation.

VIEW ATHLETE / PARENT FORM →

COACH / MANAGER / BOARD ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Coaches, managers, and club leadership should also review cardiac-awareness information and complete the applicable acknowledgement.

VIEW STAFF FORM →

CARDIAC RETURN-TO-PLAY FORM

When medical clearance is required following a possible cardiac concern, the appropriate return-to-play documentation should be completed before the athlete resumes participation.

VIEW RETURN-TO-PLAY FORM →

CREATING A SAFER CLUB ENVIRONMENT

Player safety is a shared responsibility.

Players should feel comfortable speaking up when something does not feel right. Parents should take reported symptoms seriously. Coaches and team staff should respond responsibly and follow the appropriate safety procedures.

Armada’s goal is to create an environment where player development, competition, and safety work together.

PLAYER SAFETY COMES FIRST

No practice, game, tournament, or result is more important than a player’s health.

Recognizing warning signs, communicating quickly, and following professional medical guidance are important parts of protecting young athletes and supporting their long-term development.