Return to Play

UPDATED AS OF JUNE 28, 2020

The following best practices are intended to offer guidance to our STFC community. Adherence to these considerations, recommendations, and responsibilities does not ensure immunity from exposure to COVID-19. STFC makes no representations and assumes no responsibility for individual activity or participation decisions by Associations, Clubs, Coaches, Parents, or Players.

STFC will be closely monitoring health guidelines and will remain up to date with best practices and procedures as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), local public health officials, and our governing organizations.

We will be following the Return to Play guidelines set forth by the State of Nevada and will be in compliance with Douglas County Public Health Department when at the Kahle Community Center at 236 Kingsbury Rd, Stateline, NV.

We will be following the Return to Play guidelines set forth by the State of California and will be in compliance with El Dorado County Public Health Department when at the LTCC Grass fields in the city of South Lake Tahoe, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

CLUB

Assign a COVID-19 Safety Committee to communicate policy club-wide to coaches, parents, and players, and provide regular updates and reminders.
Assign each team a coordinator to oversee compliance a the team level during training.
Communicate frequently with local health officials as needed.
Schedule and help structure.
Establish designated drop-off and pick up zones at all facilities.
Provide coaches and team with sanitizing products as needed.
Prioritize the safety of all participants over any desire to play.
Promote an environment of respect and responsibility.

COACH

Screen players before every training session by asking if they have any symptoms of illness.
Withhold a player if the player or anyone in their household has knowingly come into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Coaches must wear a mask when unable to be 6 feet away from players.
Limit equipment brought to practice, disinfecting it before and after use.
DO NOT allow players to share drinks, food, or any equipment
Encourage players to bring their own balls to training.
Report confirmed cases of COVID-19 to STFC immediately and cease training.
Adhere to all Return to Play protocols, including social distancing guidelines.

PARENT

If you are not comfortable returning to play, only return when ready.
Check your child's temperature before coming to any training sessions.
Be HONEST regarding the health of your child, and DO NO send your child to training if they have any of the signs or symptoms listed below.
Ensure your child's clothing is washed and sanitized before and after any activity.
Please provide ample water for your child!
Carpooling is highly discouraged.
No Congregating Policy at trainings.
Notify club coaches and directors immediately if your child becomes ill.
Adhere to all Return to Play protocols including social distancing guidelines.

PLAYER

If you are NOT comfortable returning to play, please speak with your parents.
If you have results pending from a COVID-19 test, do not join team activities until the results are confirmed negative.
Maintain good hygiene and wash hands thoroughly before and after training sessions.
Wash and sanitize all personal equipment before and after any activity.
Place your equipment and backpacks at least 6 feet apart from the next player's equipment.
DO NOT share drinks, food, or equipment with any player on your team.
DO NOT give high fives, handshakes, hugs, fistbumps, or perform any group celebrations.
Smile and cheer from a distance.
Adhere to all Return to Play protocols, including social distancing guidelines.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19

Chills
Cough persistent or productive
Fever > 100.4 degrees
Headache
Joint aches and soreness
Loss of taste/smell
Rash
Recent exposure to COVID-19 (in the past 14 days)
Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
Sinus congestion
Sore throat
Vomiting or diarrhea

Phased Process of Return to Play

Return to Play Phase Overview

Phase I: Individual & Small Group Training - No Contact

Phase II: Full Team Training - Minimal Contact

Phase III: Full Team Competitions - Minimal Contact

Phase IV: Minimal Restrictions - Full Contact

Return to Play Phase I

Initial Programming Format:

No contact allowed during training sessions, limiting any physical exposure to other players.

These sessions will allow players to slowly and carefully re-engage with on-field activity.
Players will be pre-assigned to a ‘Stable Sports Group’. (This is a defined list of players that have been grouped together in advance by age and gender and assigned to that specific practice group).
Sessions will be non-contact, limiting any physical exposure to other players.
Participants must always be at least 6-10 feet apart during training sessions.
All practice times must be set with the intent to maximize social distancing guidelines.
Designate a space for each player on the field.
Ensure that no players are sharing any water, food, or equipment with each other.

Session Format:

INDIVIDUAL (isolated) ball mastery and SOLO technical footwork.
UNOPPOSED (non-contact) passing and receiving.
UNOPPOSED shooting and finishing, with NO GKs (or anyone handling a ball).
INDIVIDUAL (isolated) fitness and functional training.

Return to Play Phase 1 Overview

Training Sessions:

Players will be assigned to a ‘Stable Sports Group’.
Zero tolerance non-contact policy.
Must maintain social distancing minimum of 6-10 feet between participants throughout training.
Practice outdoors.
Players and coaches must use hand sanitizer before, during breaks, and after practice.
Carpooling is highly discouraged.
No Congregating Policy for players or parents in parking lots, at drop off/pick up zones, or anywhere within the facility before, during, or after training.
Participants MUST adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times, as set by the CDC, and local public health departments.

STFC will be monitoring public health guidelines and state soccer associations to notify participants when it is acceptable to move to additional Return to Play phases.

Return to Play Phase II: Full Team Training - Minimal Contact

Group training can be introduced on a small scale, with any group-based activities not exceeding a strictly enforced guideline (such as 3v3).
Physical contact to be introduced on a small scale, minimal contact.
Continuing to ensure that no players are sharing any water, food, or equipment.
All practice times must be set with the intent to maximize social distancing.

Return to Play Phase III: Full Team Competitions - Minimal Contact

Introducing controlled environment scenarios such as scrimmages and practice games.
Continuing to emphasize minimal contact, not allowing players to have full contact during controlled scenarios.
Continuing to ensure that no players are sharing any water, food, or equipment.
Maximizing home facilities to limit general travel-related exposure to players.

Return to Play Phase IV: Minimal Restrictions - Full Contact

Introducing full return to play, allowing for controlled environment scenarios to contain full contact.
No restrictions on training sessions.
League games and tournaments will resume.
Continuing to ensure that no players are sharing water or food with one another.
Continuing to recommend proper social distancing practices.

REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH RETURN TO PLAY PHASE

These steps should be initiated at each Return to Play phase:

Participants must NOT have a pending COVID-19 test
Participants must have NO signs/symptoms in the past 14 days.
Participants have had NO sustained contact with anyone who is sick within 14 days of beginning group training.
Recommend that parents take their child(ren)’s temperature prior to training to ensure there is no fever.
Minimize changes in small group participants.
All participants must self-monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, and if any signs or symptoms of infection are present, the participant should not attend the practice, should notify coaches and staff, and should contact their health care provider.
Upon arrival to train, coaches should ask each athlete if they are experiencing any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. If the athlete has any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 they should be sent home and instructed to contact their health care provider.
If a participant is confirmed to have COVID-19, parents and/or coaches must notify STFC immediately. Affected teams must cease training until further notice from STFC.
Infection prevention measures should be followed during practice. Make sure appropriate infection prevention supplies are present (e.g. hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.).
Group training sessions should take place outside in an area where social distancing can be maintained.
Participants should use their own equipment and avoid touching each other with their hands. Use own water bottle, towel, personal hygiene products, etc.
NO activities that would require direct or indirect contact between athletes.
Rigorous, frequent cleaning schedule/protocol of equipment before, during and after training. Specifically, coach or designated person will wipe down goal posts.
Coaching can occur onsite, but coaches must maintain social distancing from all participants.
EVERYONE must respect a person’s decision regarding personal safety. There should be NO confrontations regarding masks or the handling of medical decisions.
Coaches must respect a family’s right to choose to participate during these times. Nonparticipation due to health concerns will not impact a player’s standing in the team or playing time once games have started.

Helpful Links:

STFC COVID-19 Waiver

NV-Return-to-Play-Soccer-Practice-Only

NYSA-Return-to-Play-Guidelines