omni safety
We believe player safety should be a top priority in order to give our athletes longevity in their sports career and in life after volleyball. Guidance on injury, concussion safety and SafeSport training is provided below as a resource to players and parents.
COVID-19
"Stop the spread."
WE ASK THAT ATHLETES DO NOT report to the gym while they or anyone in their household is experiencing respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills or fatigue.
Wash Your Hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Monitor Your Health
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
Cover Coughs & Sneezes
- If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
- Throw used tissues in the trash.
- Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean & Disinfect
- Facilities have enacted safety measures to clean and disinfect shared spaces and objects.
Testing Resources
The health of our athletes is important in order to provide a safe environment for play. OMNI Volleyball has enforced these sanitary and safety measures to do our part in preventing the spread of this virus.
INJURY
"If you feel something, say something."
Many times an athlete may fail to disclose an injury because they fear missing out on playing time, disappointing a coach/teammates or they just don't see the injury as very important. We know that small indications often lead to bigger injuries and for this reason we ask that you always tell coaches and parents when something feels off. It's best to let the folks with training and experience decide the appropriate course of action.
Looking to train outside of practice? Strength and conditioning is encouraged, especially to help attain the goal of playing at the most elite level. That being said, certain types of training outside of the sport can easily lead to increased injury at practice or during play. Always consult your coaches when seeking outside training. Their job is to improve safety by identifying areas of needed development, prevent bad habits from later turning into injury, and preparing for you collegiate training programs.
CONCUSSION
"The invisible injury"
Volleyball is a sport prone to the risk of concussion injury. It's not always a ball to the head or a unexpected collision with a teammate. We've seen concussions happen in the most modest situations. In some cases, a very obvious injury doesn't turn out to be diagnosed as a concussion. Symptoms are different on a case-to-case basis so it's best to err on the side of caution and address incidents as they occur. Education is crucial in recognizing, responding to, and minimizing the risk of concussion or other serious brain injury. Use the resources below to help prepare for this type of injury and identify potential symptoms.
Baseline Testing - this is significant in diagnosing a concussion in athletes and can also help determine the return-to-play timeline. It is recommended that all athletes 10 years or older seek baseline testing prior to the start of club season. Reach out to your doctor to inquire about baseline testing, many health providers offer this service free of charge.
INTERACTION
"If you see something, say something."
OMNI coaches and staff are required to complete SafeSport training to create a secure environment in which we can all feel comfortable and aware. Whether you are an athlete, parent or staff - safety means being proactive in using your best judgement to bring attention to suspicious or inappropriate behavior. Use the links below as safety resources and reach out to OMNI at any time with questions or concerns.
Athletes turning 18 during the season, whose teammates are minors, will be required to take "Core" Center for SafeSport training upon turning 18. To prevent any disruption in play, the center will allow athletes who are 17, turning 18 during the season to take "Core" given parental consent. Once a player turns 18, he or she will not be permitted to continue play until "Core" SafeSport training has been completed.