Return to Play Protocols

The guidance from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the Green Phase still engages in mitigation strategies for COVID-19.  It is a cautious and gradual re-opening.  Most businesses and programs will operate at limited capacity upon entering the Green Phase.  As the Governor and Department of Health  provide additional information and guidance beyond the initial opening, we too will expand the opportunities for youth soccer. 

These guidelines were created in consultation with those developed by the US Olympic Committee, US Soccer,  US Youth Soccer, the CDC and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is a collection of best practices for carefully moving forward in the COVID-19 world (See Appendix B).  We encourage you to follow all aspects set forward in this document, but to also implement additional strategies based on the input of these other agencies.

The conditions during this pandemic have continually evolved and changed weekly, sometimes daily.  We know additional information and new guidelines are forthcoming.  They will change at any time, so we must be flexible.  These guidelines will be updated as necessary.

This document does not replace the advice or direction of medical professionals.  The risks of infection still exists.  Until a vaccine or cure is developed for COVID-19, we must proceed cautiously and continue to monitor and comply with the Governor’s office, PA Department of Health, CDC and any other federal or local regulations.

Please recognize that many families and individuals will have reservations about re-opening and reintegrating.  We must be respectful, sensitive and flexible as we restart.  If a parent, child or coach is not comfortable returning to play, they shouldn’t. 

General Hygiene and Safety Protocols

• Wash your hands frequently.
• Have hand sanitizer available for all at times.
• No sharing of water, snacks or equipment
• No shaking hands, high fives, fist bump, hugs, etc…
• Social distancing = 6 feet apart.
• No player or coach can attend if they are feeling sick.
• Sick players or coaches must quarantine as required by CDC/PA Dept. of Health.  Can only return with a Doctor’s approval.  Must show notice to the club.
• Disinfect all training equipment- cones, goals, flags etc.  Only coaches can touch or move equipment.
• Coaches to wear a face mask as per CDC/PA Dept. of Health at all times.
• Players to wear face mask when not involved in soccer activities or on the bench.  Player may wear mask during activity at parents or players discretion.
• Scrimmage vests washed after every session.  Should consider it personal equipment, and provide each player with their own.
• Each ball sanitized before/after every practice or game.
• Only one coach may attend to an injured player.  Must wear mask and gloves.
• ​Minimize contact with other teams before, during and after each session.

This is a general list.  Please consult PA Department of Health and CDC hygiene and safety protocols which must be followed in all stages.

Clubs

• No organized training. No organized playing.
• Virtual training allowed. See recommended guidelines.

• Activity may begin within your club only.  Activity must be kept local, within your community.
• No contact training. No games. No interaction with other organizations.
• Individuals must comply with restrictions of their home county. 
• Engage with management of your practice facilities to learn and comply with their polices and procedures.
• Fields must be legally open. No training on a space/field without insurance certificate issued (standard regardless Covid 19) or permission from the facility.
• Create Action Plan –
  • Communicate plan and distribute to families, coaches, admins. 
  • Actions upon notification of a positive test result for a club member.
  • Be prepared to shut down and stop operations in necessary.
• Develop a plan for social distancing and adequate field space.
  • Minimize interactions among teams. 
  • Consider field/training area lay out, entrance and exit from fields, managing training schedules.
  • Social distancing required in all areas, but not limited to sidelines, bench areas, clubhouse, parking lot.
• The parent determines participation.
• Spectators are not essential to training and not recommended to attend,  however, it be necessary for younger players.
• Green Phase will be further determined with additional guidelines from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• No organized training. No organized playing.
• Virtual training allowed. See recommended guidelines.

• Comply with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and any additional club directives or requirements.
• Reinforce directives, polices and protocols as necessary with parents and children.
• As players arrive, inquire how they’re feeling.  If they are ill or appear to be ill, send them home.
• Supply your medical kit or bag with gloves, extra masks, sanitizer, and facial tissues.
• Implement social distancing at all times. Each player and their equipment at least six feet from the next player.
• Coaches wear masks at all times. 
• Players may wear masks during training at their discretion.  Must wear when not engaged in soccer activity.
• Only coaches may touch or move equipment.   Players do not touch or move equipment.
• No bodily contact in training. 
• Avoid activities involving lines, maintain social distancing in training  (see US Soccer “Play On” in Appendix B).
• Sanitize all equipment after training. 
• Scrimmage vests are not recommended.
• Minimize interaction with other teams that train before or after you.  Emphasize player should go straight to cars.
• Be positive, fun and engaging.  Help the children acclimate and reintegrate. 

• No organized training. No organized playing.
• Virtual training allowed. See recommended guidelines.

• Comply with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer and any additional club directives or requirements.  Share information with your son or daughter.
• No signs of Covid 19 for the player the past 14 days and no known exposure before sending him or her to training.  Sick players and coaches must stay at home and follow appropriate health guidelines.
• Determine if you want your child to wear a face mask during training.
• Sanitize and wash all equipment and uniforms after training
• Pack hand sanitizer and a face mask in his or her bag.
• Spectators are not essential to training and not recommended to attend,  however, it be necessary for younger players.
• Comply with social distancing and mask directives.  Adhere to rules of the club regarding attending training session
• Direct your child to never share water, snacks or equipment.
• Notify club and coach should your child becomes ill.
• Do not assist coach or coaches with equipment at the beginning or end of practice.
• Ball goes off touchline or end line allow players or coach to retrieve the ball.
• Parents make the ultimate decision on their child's attendance participation