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Testing shows high lead levels in turf from Field Turf, Tiger Turf, EcoAlliance and turf purchased from Cosco, among other companies

Oakland, CA- The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) announced today that independent testing has found high levels of lead in varieties of artificial turf from ten more companies. The testing found that the lead level in one turf sample, produced by the nation's leading installer of sports fields, Field Turf, was more 150 times higher than federal child safe lead standards that will ultimately come into effect as a result recent Congressional action to ban lead in products for children.

ATTENTION ALL RECREATIONAL COACHES
 
New this year is a Coach Mentoring Program!
 
A select-team coach from the Sonoma Soccer Club will help design and run one of your team’s practices.
Please take advantage of this program.  These highly-trained and experienced coaches from SVYSA's traveling teams will work with you to ensure that the drills you use and the structure of your practices are age-appropriate, educational, effective, and fun.

If you would like to sign up, email (selectcoordinator@sonomasoccer.org) or call one of the Select Program Coordinators: Dino Rossini at 337-3536 or Jim Van Sickle at (415) 717-8276.

When Duane Knudson, a professor of kinesiology at California State University, Chico, looks around campus at athletes warming up before practice, he sees one dangerous mistake after another. “They’re stretching, touching their toes. . . . ” He sighs. “It’s discouraging.”

Read the full New York Time arcticle...

You have probably already made this painful experience yourself: Playing football carries a risk of injury. But the good news is: Scientific studies have shown that the incidence of football injuries can be reduced by targeted prevention programmes.

"The 11" is a simple, catchy and time-efficient preventive programme that comprises ten evidence-based or best-practice exercises and - as number 11 - the promotion of Fair Play. It requires no equipment other than a ball, and can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes. The programme is efficient as most of the exercises simultaneously train different aspects and can replace other exercises.

The exercises focus on specific training methods coaches might be familiar with: core stabilisation, eccentric training of thigh muscles, proprioceptive training, dynamic stabilisation and plyometrics with straight leg alignment. Proprioception is the ability to sense the position of your body, your limbs and their movements. Plyometrics is a type of exercise that uses explosive movements to develop muscular power.

You should perform "The 11" in every training session after warm-up and stretching of all the important muscle groups. To ensure their effect, you should perform the exercises as precisely as possible and follow their sequence on the poster. Before each match, you should go for a shortened version: exercises 4, 5, 8.

"The 11" was developed by FIFA's Medical Assessment and Research Centre (F-MARC) in cooperation with a group of international experts. What are your benefits when following the programme? You may improve your performance and suffer less injuries!

 
click here to go to The 11 home page...