COVID Phase-2 “Return-to-Play”
NPSL League Games Protocol
Games will proceed if both counties in which the teams reside meet the Washington State COVID Phase and Risk Assessment categories of Moderate (25-75 cases / 100K / 14 days and < 5% positivity) or Low (< 25 cases / 100K / 14 days and < 5% positivity). For clubs that cross county boundaries, the club will determine if the team meets the criteria.
The information can be found at the following website:
https://coronavirus.wa.gov/what-you-need-know/covid-19-risk-assessment-dashboard
Prior to Game Day:
Field Maps & Rules specific to 152nd Street Soccer Complex Fields will be prepared for Home Games that have entrances/exits clearly marked, indicate home and away sidelines and show the location of pregame staging areas for home and away players and coaches. Send a copy to your opponent prior to each game.
Local policy takes precedence regarding any spectators at the game.
Player Passes are allowed per NPSL policy with the exception that only 3 can be used per game. Imperative that these players are included on Team Roster for contact tracing purposes.
Coaches/Managers are responsible for making sure they have a sufficient supply of hand sanitizer.
Spectators:
There will be 1 parent/guardian/caregiver per player under the age of 18 allowed to attend the game on the sidelines. For players 18 and older, no spectators allowed until the county meets the Low Level County COVID Activity threshold, then spectators may follow Safe Start Planning guidelines issued by Washington State and the local jurisdiction. Local Club, County, City or School District policies for field access may be more strict and may not allow any spectators. Those policies take precedence.
Spectators must wear masks at all times.
Spectators should remain in their vehicle until: 1) 5 minutes before game time or 2) until after the prior game participants leave the field (whichever happens last).
Spectators are allowed under WA Dept of Health guidelines, however they must remain a minimum of 10 feet from the field, sidelines, referees and team areas.
All spectators are to remain socially distanced to allow 6 feet between individuals.
Drop player off no earlier than 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
Do not loiter around the field. Avoid gatherings of people.
No parent/guardian/caregiver or player that is sick or has signs or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 should attend.
Spectators should not touch any game day equipment, including balls, cones, goals, etc.
Pre-Game (Game Day):
Each Team must keep attendance for ‘which players’ are at every game. Recommend - have Manager keep the NPSL Roster for both HOME & AWAY teams once returned by the Referee post game.
No one associated with PSA Force should attend a game if sick or has signs or symptoms suggestive of Covid-19
Coaches/Managers/Spectators will ALWAYS wear a face mask, and maintain physical distance requirements from players (>6 feet)
Players must wear a mask, before and immediately after all games, while on the bench, and during halftime. Masks are optional during warm-ups and when playing in the game.
Players should arrive no earlier than 30 minutes before game time and may join with their team at the designated assembly area to the South of their teams’ Field.
Teams must remain in the staging area and cannot enter the field area until previous teams have completely left the field.
Clustering of players should be avoided. Do not assemble the team closely together for team meetings or instruction.
No enclosed tents are allowed on the sidelines. If using a bench, players must be separated by two empty seats. Individual chairs may be used.
No handshakes, high fives or fist/elbow bumps before, during or after the game.
Player personal belongings should be placed 6 feet apart.
Teams will take opposite sides of the field in order to prevent any additional contact.
Read out player names and numbers off the gameday roster for game check-in to the referee.
Leave game day paperwork for referee pickup, no hand off allowed.
No Coin toss - Home team picks direction to attack. Away team gets the kick-off.
Game:
All coaches, staff or spectators will always wear a mask and maintain physical distance, greater than six (6) feet at all times based on state and local health requirements. This is NOT the Referee Crews responsibility to maintain.
Home Team will provide 3 sanitized game balls per half; Game balls from 1st half can be sanitized for the 2nd half by the Home Team.
Coaches and Players should use hand sanitizer before the game, during halftime and after the game or if it’s necessary to closely interact with each other during times of injury/medical attention.
Clubs/teams must follow the rules of the field they are playing on.
Substitute Players should wear masks when not playing.
Injuries:
In case of injury, the First Aid Kit/Medical Bag should be kept on the sideline at all times; masks must be worn to tend to an injured player; other players need to remain distanced.
For minor injuries, the coach approaches the player and asks from a distance if they are able to walk off the field unassisted.
If a head injury has occurred and is emergent, call 911. If a non-emergent head injury and player can walk off the field, allow them to do so. Follow all concussion protocols.
If an injury takes place that prevents a player from walking off the field under their own power, the coach should put gloves on from the medical bag, provide the player with a mask, and assist the player off the field. A Parent should then be called and allowed to tend to the player.
Post Game:
Be sure a coach or manager gets the game rosters (get a copy of the roster for both teams) from the referee.
No handshakes with opposing players, coaches or referees after the game.
Everyone in attendance (Players, Coaches, Spectators) will leave the field within 5 minutes of game ending.
Clustering of players should be avoided. Do not assemble the team closely together for team meetings or instruction.
152nd Street Soccer Complex Field Layout:
152nd Street Soccer Complex: Return-to-Play Field Layout (Click to Zoom)
Contact Information:
If you have questions or need more information, please contact:
Eric Jacobson
Force Return-to-Play Coordinator
eric@psaforce.soccer / (206) 910-2542
