Georgia Soccer follows U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover Program guidelines for playing in heat.
These guidelines use a Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) reading; for example, a WBGT reading of 92 degrees is somewhat comparable to a Heat Index reading of 104 to 105 degrees.
To assist coaches and athletes in this, RECOGNIZE to RECOVER created an easy reference guide The guidelines are intended to help evaluate situations to prevent heat-related illness before it begins. The three-step Heat Guidelines include methods for evaluating danger levels and appropriate responses to those various levels
For practice in Georgia, when the WBGT is 92 degrees or above, training/practice should be suspended until it is cooler.
For games in Georgia, when the WBGT is 92 degrees or above, water breaks of 4 minutes should be provided for every 30 minutes of play. If the conditions are hotter, or if the game is on artificial turf, two water breaks per half may be necessary.
There are enough built-in opportunities for players to get rest and hydration breaks during the course of a game; not everyone on the team is intensely-participating at one time. Officials and coaches are available to monitor 22 players or less in a game setting, while coaches may have 100 or more players to monitor during a practice setting. Club administrators and tournament officials are responsible for monitoring the WBGT and keeping the participating teams and game officials informed of the heat index. Coaches are encouraged to also monitor the conditions.
Typically, in the run-up to a game or practice, the club or organization makes the judgment call. Once players arrive and the game is underway, the officials on the field have the decision authority. This would be referees (who typically will consult with the coaches), or coaches if the event is a practice or other gathering.