Download May 22 Phase Overview and Detailed Phase Plan

Download Return to Play Responsibilities

Phase Overview

First and foremost, we will continue to abide by all guidelines and restrictions set forth by the government. These phases are designed to ease our way back into soccer, allowing children to resume some activities outdoors in a safe manner. We will determine which phase is appropriate based on guidance from governmental authorities.

• Phase 1 (Current): “Internet-only” soccer, where players do individual sessions at home guided by their club. 

  • Typically teams begin training in early April with a majority of their season taking place between May-July. A month-and-a-half into this Phase, players are yearning for a gradual return to soccer.

• Phase 2: this phase allows for outdoor, 10-person trainings, with specific protocols in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

• Phase 3: This phase allows for the resumption of full team trainings, with specific protocols in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

• Phase 4: This phase allows for the resumption of League matches, with specific player and spectator protocols. 

• Phase 5: This phase allows for resumption of youth soccer as we knew it prior to COVID-19. This includes tournaments. 

These Phases are fluid and will always follow government restrictions and guidelines as well as governing body guidance. The Phases are not linear as both the federal and state governments have indicated that varied levels of mitigation restrictions may be imposed to slow the transmission of the virus.

We welcome input from the medical authorities and are currently seeking their advice.

Trainings
Objective: Allow children to safely resume training activities outdoors with their teammates.

Download Return to Play Responsibilities

Phase 1

• “Internet-only” soccer where clubs engage players to execute a wide-range of skills.
• Limited efficacy due to limited social interaction.
   

Phase 2 (Socially Distanced/Modified Training Environment)

• All players and coaches should use MDH’s Self-Screening tool before every training session: https://mn.gov/covid19/for-minnesotans/if-sick/is-it-covid/

• If a player/coach thinks they are sick, stay home! Specifically: symptoms of acute respiratory disease (i.e. cough, sore throat, shortness of breath), fever, sudden loss of smell or taste, OR been diagnosed with COVID-19 (which would follow state-mandated quarantine requirements). If a coach, administrator, or official has a concern about a player's health, they have the ability to send the player home.

Social Distancing

• Trainings will consist of no more than 10 people at the training (9 players and 1 coach or trainer, 8 players and 2 coaches or trainers).
• Trainings will have proper social distancing for each player and coach at all times.
• Trainings limited to non-contact activities i.e. individual skills, fitness, etc.
• No physical contact including huddles, handshakes, and high-fives. 
• The number of allowed "pods" (groups of 10) on various field sizes: 
  • 4 pods per 11v11 field
  • 2 pods per 9v9 field
  • 1 pod per 7v7 field

People

• Only players rostered on the specific team may train together. No scrimmages or guest players at team trainings.
• Parents and spectators must follow government social distancing guidelines, i.e. parents to remain in vehicle when comfortable. If parents wish to watch practice, they must maintain adequate social distance at all times and must be far enough away from the group so they are not counted as part of the gathering.      

Equipment

• Equipment should be disinfected before and after trainings, equipment should be provided by the club. Where possible, communal equipment should only be handled by the coach.
• “Pinnies” shall be individually distributed to each player and used by that player for the season, and washed in between each team contact.
• Balls should not be handled with their hands, by any player, with the exception of the goalkeeper with gloves on.
• Player’s water and personal equipment should not be shared, and should be placed at least 6 feet apart to ensure breaks are also properly distanced.
• Hand sanitizer should be used by each player before, during, and after trainings, supplied by the player. 
• Masks are required for coaches and/or trainers at the fields as long as they are still recommended by the State of Minnesota.

Training Schedule

• Teams entering fields for trainings should wait until all players from previous practice have left.
• Stagger trainings by 30 minutes to allow ample time or in/out flow of traffic.

Cooperation & Responsibility

Each stakeholder as outlined below has a responsibility to cooperate within the framework of this plan.

Club

• Distribute and post Return to Play protocols
• Be sensitive and accommodating to parents that may be uncomfortable with returning to play
• Train and educate all state of Return to Play protocols
• Provide adequate field space for social distancing, as outlined in this document, as applicable to the various phases

Coach

• Follow all Return to Play protocols
• Send athletes home if they are not feeling well
• Ensure all athletes have their own individual equipment (ball, water, shin guards, pinnie, etc.)
• Ensure activities provide adequate social distancing, as applicable
• Respect players, parents and families by accommodating those that may not yet be comfortable returning

Parent

• If you are comfortable having your child return to play, DON’T
• Check child’s temperature and utilize MN Symptom Screener tool prior to attending any activities
• Ensure child’s clothing is washed after every activity
• Ensure all equipment (cleats, ball, shin guards, pinnie) is sanitized prior to any activity
• Notify Club/coach if your child becomes ill for any reasons
• Supply your child with individual sanitizer
• Adhere to all social distancing expectations
• Ensure your child has plenty of water

Player

• If you are not comfortable with returning to play, DON’T
• Adhere to all Return to Play protocols
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after all activities
• Ensure all equipment (cleats, ball, shin guards, pinnie) is sanitized prior to any activity
• Do not share water, food, or equipment
• Respect and practice social distancing, as required in these guidelines
• Place equipment, bags, etc. at least 6 feet apart
• No high 5’s, handshakes, knuckles, or group celebrations

 

Phase 3 (Full Training Environment)

• All rules of Phase 1-2 apply to except where changes have been made below.
• Full roster (and up to 2 coaches or trainers) may be present on the same field during trainings, but only one team per field shall occupy that field.
   

Phase 4 (Matches/Games Begin)

Matches would not resume until Phase 4 of this Return to Play plan. This phase builds on the previous three Phases and would allow matches between clubs to begin. The safety precautions indicated below will mitigate risks. 

While we are hopeful that match play is able to resume momentarily, we acknowledge that match play may not be feasible in the immediate term. Therefore, the details below are “high-level” as safety guidelines are ever-changing and evolving.

That said, resumption of match play will fill a much needed social and physical need in the lives of players and families alike.

Safety Policies and Precautions

• If a player/coach thinks they are sick, stay home! Specifically: symptoms of acute respiratory disease (i.e. cough, sore throat, shortness of breath), fever, sudden loss of smell or taste, OR been diagnosed with COVID-19 (which would follow state-mandated quarantine requirements). If a coach, administrator, or official has a concern about a player's health, they have the ability to send the player home.
• During this phase, both League organizations will incorporate the above precautionary measures to manage the game day environment. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • Any other applicable measures to promote a safe and healthy environment.

  • Equipment and sanitization protocols;

  • Scheduling of matches with in/out flow of traffic in mind;

  • Spectator social distancing protocols;

 

Phase 5 (Tournaments/Resumption of Normal Soccer Activities)
Similar to Phase 4 above, and as the COVID-19 situation evolves, we will provide specific guidance related to the ability to host tournaments, which are larger gatherings in nature. 

Once we are able to reach this phase, Phase 4 & Phase 5 will likely be similar in nature. When we reach Phase 5, we will resume soccer activities as we did prior to COVID-19.

 

Communication
We will establish and communicate to our members a mitigation plan that addresses the primary components of the guidelines above, using agreed upon and aligned consistent language and protocols from the resources available through the established federal and state authorities.

We also understand that individual families within our organizations may have circumstances or views that compel them to refrain from participation and as leaders within our organizations, we understand this. No member should be penalized or otherwise pressured should they choose to not participate under these guidelines.

 

Sent on Behalf of Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL), Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and Member Clubs on May 11, 2020

Youth Soccer Return to Play: Safety Protocols

Dear Governor Walz:

As the Stay at Home Order has been extended to May 18, our two organizations, Minnesota Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) and Twin Cities Soccer Leagues (TCSL) have collaborated on  the following protocols, which are meant to provide a pathway for how youth soccer can resume in some shape or form this summer. Our organizations serve more than 60,000 youth soccer players and 100 clubs across the state. As you will be able to tell from the phased plan, the safety of all youth participants is and will always be at the forefront of our decisions. 

Like other youth sports, soccer provides great physical and mental health benefits to the children of our state. Safely allowing Minnesota’s soccer players the ability to get back to play will be a great way to bring our families back to normal. The professional staffs of these two organizations have a detailed plan to bring our game back to outdoor activity while specifically addressing the needs of a safe environment.

We ask that you give consideration to where youth sports fall on the “dials” as set forth in your previous guidelines and plans. For your reference, we created a phased plan so you can see how we plan to return-to-play safely.

On behalf of over 60,000 youth players and 100 member organizations,

Matthew Madeira, Executive Director, MN Youth Soccer Association
Matt Tiano, CEO, Twin Cities Soccer Leagues