Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

Return to Play Guidelines

On March 15th, Governor Sisolak ordered all schools and other activities which included youth sports to close in an attempt to slow the spread of Covid-19.  We look forward to the day when we will be allowed to get back to where we were before the pandemic struck.  The journey back to normal will be done in phases as spelled out by the Governor and  Nevada Youth Soccer Association.  As we go through these phases, two things are foremost in our policies:

 

  1. The safety of the players, their families, and our staff is the most important consideration when returning to play.
  2. Doing whatever we can to prevent the spread of the virus and help shorten the journey back to normal.
  • Players shall not be penalized if they choose not to participate because they feel it is unsafe or they are uncomfortable.
  • Anyone who has had onset of illness with symptoms compatible with suspected or lab-confirmed COVID-19 in the prior 14 days OR been in contact with anyone that has must not enter facilities or recreational areas 
  • Participants are to pick up their own trash at the conclusion of any and all activities
  • No sharing of water, no centralized hydration or refreshment stations (Phases I and II at minimum)
  • Spectators should be limited and must maintain minimum social distancing, as defined by the CDC
  • No spitting is allowed by soccer players, coaches, or officials.
  • Adhere to state gathering restrictions by reducing the total number of participants in activities to no more than the number allowed by the state
  • Everyone must adhere to the most strict safety protocols, whether that is State, municipal, or NYSA
  • NYSA’s extended insurance only applies to activities they have approved.

Phase I

  • No contact
  • Focused on return to activity with individual training; no group drills
  • Groups not to exceed 30 participants per field
  • No sharing of water or equipment
  • Participants to remain a minimum of 10 feet apart

Phase II

  • Small group training introduced; should not exceed 4 v. 4
  • Physical contact to be minimized
  • Groups not to exceed 30 participants per field
  • No sharing of water

Phase III

  • Introduction of controlled scrimmages/ practice games
  • Physical contact to be minimized
  • No limitations on participants per field
  • Recommend no travel to events that would require overnight stay

Phase IV

  • Full return of play 
  • No restriction on training session 
  • Games and tournaments to be played 
  • Recommend social distancing practices still be maintained by leagues and events 
  1. Be smart: if you are sick, stay home. This applies to everyone: players, coaches, and parents. If you have been sick, stay home for 14 days after recovery.
  2. Screening: Greet all participants before practice and ask if they have been sick in the last 14 days or in direct contact with a person who is sick. Send home immediately if the answer is “yes.” 
  3. Sanitize: have hand sanitizer available and encourage hand washing before and after all activities. 
  4. Group play: all activities must be limited to the max number allowed in the current phase. 
  5. Physical play: facilitate soccer activities that eliminate physical contact. All drills and small-sided games should have as little physical contact as possible. Tackling, shielding, etc. should not be included in small-sided games or drills. 
  6. No high-fives, handshakes, or hugs: as much as we want to physically connect, this is not a safe practice for anybody right now. 
  7. Masks: coaches and spectators should wear a mask before, during, and after practice. Players should wear a mask when not actively practicing. 
  8. Drop-off/pick-up: if possible, parents should remain in car for drop-off and pick-up. All spectators must remain 6 feet apart. 
  9. Water bottles: to minimize accidental sharing of water, players must keep their water bottles in their own bag when not in use. 
  10. Have fun, stay positive: everyone is looking to each other to stay calm, supportive, and compassionate during this time. 
  1. Ensure the health and safety of your players. Inquire how the athletes are feeling, send them home if they act or discuss feeling ill.
  2. Follow all established federal, state, and local protocols.
  3. Ensure all athletes have their individual equipment (ball, water bottles, bag, etc.) and prohibit them from sharing anything. Equipment placement should be spaced at least 6 feet apart.
    The coach is the only person to handle cones, disks, etc.
  4. All training must be outdoors and coaches must strictly enforce social distancing per the current phase guidelines.
  5. Coaches must always wear a face mask per current phase protocol and social distance from players when required.
  6. Wash and sanitize your own equipment after every session.
  7. The use of scrimmage vests/pinnies is not recommended.
  8. Increase your communication with parents, they need to know what you are doing as a coach and club to maintain their safety.
  9. Have fun, stay positive – players and parents are looking to you to stay calm, supportive, and caring during this time.
  1. Ensure athletes are healthy, check their temperature daily.
  2. Limited or no carpooling.
  3. Stay in car or social distance when at training, wear mask at all times if outside your car.
  4. Ensure child’s clothing is washed after every training session.
  5. Label your child’s equipment to guard against cross-contamination.
  6. Ensure all equipment, cleats, ball, shin guards etc. are sanitized after every training.
  7. Notify club immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason and do not bring them into contact with coaches or other players.
  8. Do not assist coaches with equipment before or after training.
  9. Be sure your child has necessary sanitizer and cleaning supplies with them at every training.
  10. When traveling, take responsibility to sanitize hotel rooms.
  1. Take temperature daily.
  2. Wash hands thoroughly before and after training and any contact outside your home.
  3. Bring and use hand sanitizer with you at every training session. Especially at the beginning and end of sessions.
  4. Limited or no carpooling.
  5. Wear mask before and after all training sessions. This protects others in the event that you are unknowingly carrying the virus.
  6. Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment.
  7. Bring your own ball to training, label it as your own.
  8. Practice social distancing and place bags and other equipment at least 6 feet apart from your teammates’ equipment during sessions.
  9. Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every training session.
  10. No group celebrations with players closer than six feet, no high fives, hugs, cheers, etc.

What are Covid-19 Symtoms

Symptoms  can include fever or feverishness, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, chills or shaking chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell

Tips

Take your temperature every day.

Don’t share: 

Balls; Shoes, Socks, Shin Guards, Uniforms, Pennies water, towels, or any equipment.

Have Ready:

Hand sanitizer  and Disinfectant wipes to be used to wipe down all equipment

 

Permitted under Phase I

  • Individual training and technical activities

Permitted Under Phase II

  • Individual training and technical activities
  • Small group drills (e.g. 2 v. 2, 3 v. 3, and 4 v. 4)

Permitted Under Phase III

  • Individual training and technical activities Group drills greater than 4 v. 4
  • Activities that may create opportunity for an individual to come in contact with another’s  equipment.
  • This would include headers, throw-ins, etc. (Recommend that all equipment be disinfected immediately after all training sessions)
  • Controlled scrimmage/practice games 

Permitted Under Phase IV

  • Participation in games and tournament 

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