Inclement Weather Policies
ASA’s Weather Policy is enforced to maintain the highest level of safety for families and stakeholders in scenarios of rain, winter weather, heat, lightning, thunder and any other circumstances that are deemed unsafe.
ASA field closure decisions are made via guidance from the City of Alexandria and the Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Activities. ASA program directors will aim to send an email update to participants if a scheduled activity is canceled on days of inclement weather no later than two hours prior to the start time of the event. For Academy practices, if fields remain open, it is up to each individual coach as to whether practice will take place because Academy practices take place at different times and locations. Your coach will let you know via TeamSnap if practice is cancelled.
If an email update is not sent, please proceed with the understanding that the activity is on as scheduled. It is always safe to check in with your coach if there is any uncertainty.
You can also check the Alexandria Sports Hotline for field closures at (703) 746-5597.
If the weather conditions evolve after an activity has started, ASA coaches and program leads are trained to monitor and make decisions onsite to support the safety of all participants.
Please support and adhere to the below policies. Anyone not following these guidelines, who chooses to remain outdoors or in an inappropriate area or shelter, do so at their own risk. All individuals have the right to not attend or leave an activity at any time, without fear of repercussion or penalty, if they feel unsafe or in danger from weather-related circumstances.
Rain Policy
Alexandria fields are monitored daily by the City of Alexandria staff and ASA staff. Rain can impact the safety of participants and families due to water-soaked fields. Heavy rain may cause limited visibility, health concerns or transportation issues, among other items.
When practicing in cold temperatures with rain, players are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing to aid body heat retention and wick water yet allow for adequate movement without creating a safety hazard.
On days of inclement weather, please monitor email from ASA program directors and coaches for updates or call the Alexandria Sports Hotline for field closures at (703) 746-5597.
Winter Weather Policy
Alexandria fields are monitored daily by the City of Alexandria staff and ASA staff. ASA activities will be cancelled if the projected temperature (including wind chill) at the beginning of training is projected to be below 25 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter weather can impact the safety of participants and families due to snow-covered/water-soaked fields, cold temperatures, and transportation issues, among other items.
When practicing in colder temperatures, players are encouraged to wear appropriate clothing to aid body heat retention yet allow for adequate movement without creating a safety hazard.
On days of inclement weather, please monitor email from ASA program directors and coaches for updates or call the Alexandria Sports Hotline for field closures at (703) 746-5597.
Heat Policy
Alexandria fields are monitored daily by the City of Alexandria staff and ASA staff. ASA activities may be cancelled if the heat index at the beginning of training is projected to be above 100 degrees Fahrenheit (this is dependent on location of program, intensity of training, access to shade, age of participants & more).
Summer and warm weather can impact the safety of participants and families causing heat-illness conditions.
When practicing in warmer temperatures, players are encouraged to hydrate ahead of activities, bring extra water, take additional water breaks throughout (in shaded areas if available), and exercise caution if not feeling well.
More information here on ASA Summer Camps guidelines.
On days of inclement weather, please monitor email from ASA program directors and coaches for updates or call the Alexandria Sports Hotline for field closures at (703) 746-5597.
Lightning Policy
Alexandria fields are monitored daily by the City of Alexandria staff and ASA staff. ASA activities will be cancelled if lightning thunderstorms are projected to occur throughout the duration of a given session.
If lightning strikes within 10 miles, ASA activities are to be stopped immediately and all players, coaches, and spectators are to take shelter in their vehicles or another nearby safe location.
Program leads and coaching staff are instructed to monitor lightning strikes. The time from the sight of lightning to the sound of thunder may be used (50 seconds or less = 10 miles or less).
- All training sessions and games will be delayed for 30 minutes at the first lightning strike within 10 miles.
- The 30-minute delay will restart every time lightning strikes within 10 miles.
- Players, parents, and spectators are not to return to the fields until a full 30 minutes has passed without a lightning strike within 10 miles.
- Clear sky, blue sky, and sun shining does not mean the area is safe to resume practice and games!
- All practice sessions will finish at their designated time unless field space and coaches’ availability permit for a practice extension.
- Games may be cancelled for any lightning strike within 10 miles after the initial 30-minute delay.
On days of inclement weather, please monitor email from ASA program directors and coaches for updates or call the Alexandria Sports Hotline for field closures at (703) 746-5597.