COVID Return to Play Guidelines
Force COVID Phase-2 “Return-to-Play” Safety Plan
Regarding the Covid Pandemic, the number one goal at Force is the safety of our players, coaches, families, organization, and all of the communities we serve. The information provided here isn’t intended to supersede professional medical advice or restrictions issued from local, state or federal authorities. Parents, please take the time to review this information with your player. It is critical that everyone observe the same procedures as we begin field training.
Social Distancing:
Players will be placed into groups of 5 players. No group will exceed this limit, and groups will not change for the remainder of Phase-2. Players will not be allowed to train with other groups.
Coaches and players must maintain 6 feet of separation at all times. Players must follow this rule entering and exiting the field, before and after training, and during breaks in training activities.
Physical contact is not permitted at any time between players—no handshakes, high-fives, or fist/elbow bumps.
Physical contact is only allowed by a masked coach (or other masked Force staff member) if a player needs medical assistance. This may require the masked Force coach or staff member to physically contact the player.
Training Requirements:
If anyone in a group tests positive for Covid-19, see section below titled: “In Case of Infection”.
Players or coaches with any of the following symptoms should not attend training: fever, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, chills, body or muscle aches, diarrhea, sore throat, a new headache or a loss of taste or smell.
Any player with a member of their household that is sick or has a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, or is awaiting a test result, should not attend training sessions.
Players must complete and pass a TeamSnap “Health Check” prior to attending each training session, game, or other team activity.
Coaches will greet each arriving group of players in a designated, social distanced area to inquire about the player health and how they are feeling. Any player that acts or discusses feeling ill will be asked to leave training.
Coaches are instructed to wear masks per current phase protocol, and socially distance from players when required. Guidelines from Governor Jay Inslee state that: “Coaches should wear masks before, during, and after training during Phase 2.”
Coaches will have hand sanitizer available.
Players are required to wear a mask from the car to the designated socially distanced area, where the coach will greet them. The Player is NOT required to wear a mask during training. However, players are also required to wear a mask from the designated area back to their car.
Training sessions will have staggered start times to allow for time to clear the area for the next group. Social distancing must be maintained during this transition. Please arrive 5 minutes before your session—no earlier or later. Also please be prepared to leave the field immediately once the coach dismisses the players.
Players cannot remain at the field or join another group for additional training.
Players need to place their personal equipment (backpacks, clothing, water bottles, hand sanitizer, etc.) a minimum of 6 feet from one another.
Force recommends that each player bring their own hand sanitizer and use it before training, during breaks, and after training.
Players should avoid touching their faces at all times, particularly during training.
Players should not touch any equipment, cones, or field markers before, during or after training.
Players should bring their soccer ball, water bottle, cleats, shin guards, hand sanitizer, and weather/temperature appropriate clothing to every training session.
Parents should plan to drop off their player, and remain in their vehicle during training. If it’s necessary to leave the vehicle, parents should wear a mask, and maintain the required social distance from players, coaches, and other parents during training.
Parents or guardians are not allowed to enter the field at any time (this is the City of Marysville’s rule, not ours).
Parent and Player Recommendations:
Stay safe and healthy in your daily life, and take your temperature daily.
Avoid touching your face.
Avoid carpooling.
Bring and use hand sanitizer.
Label your equipment.
Wash clothing, and sanitize all personal soccer equipment after each training session.
Always maintain social distancing, and wear masks when required at training.
Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment.
Cover your coughs or sneezes when not wearing a mask.
Encourage players to tell someone if they don’t feel well.
Be a ROLE MODEL—it’s for the kids! Stay positive and follow the guidelines.
Goalkeeper Training:
In Phase-2, goalkeepers may practice in groups of five (5), but must continue to follow all the other Phase-2 guidelines.
Additionally, goalkeepers must disinfect/sanitize their gloves before and after training sessions. Goalkeepers should not spit on their gloves.
Only coach-supplied soccer balls should be used for training, and these soccer balls and equipment need to be disinfected before and after each group training session.
What’s Next?
We hope to advance to Phase-3 as soon as possible.
Force will prepare thorough guidelines for Phase-3.
Phase-3 is necessary for eased training restrictions, and also for league play.
There will be a minimum 2-week gap between approval to move into Phase-3, and the start of league games. This is to allow time for all teams to fully train and prepare for competition. All other procedures and guidelines must continue to be followed.
Please be patient with us as we work through this process. Information is being released on a regular basis (sometimes daily) from local, state, and federal authorities. Remember: this is all about the kids who want to play this great game, and have fun doing it. We need to support each other by remaining calm and compassionate at all times.
In Case of InFection
Any Player diagnosed with COVID-19:
Contact Force’s COVID Point Person regarding the situation so that appropriate case analysis and contact tracing can be performed by Force personnel.
Eric Jacobson, Force COVID Compliance
(206) 910-2542 mobile, or eric@psaforce.soccerFill out the COVID-19 Reporting Form within 24 hours, and disinfect all equipment present during the exposure event.
Definition of “Close Contact”: Anyone including, but not limited to, a Force Player, Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager, etc. is deemed to have been in “Close Contact” if less than 6 feet away for a Cumulative 15 minutes with a confirmed or probable Covid-19 infected person.
Any Force Member in contact with a Confirmed or Probable Covid-19 individual: a) during the 48 hours prior to the individual testing positive, b) while the individual had symptoms, or c) within 48 hours of the individual being notified of having been in close contact with a confirmed or probable Covid-19 person—requires them to stay home if deemed a “Close Contact” per definition above. PSA will contact the parents or guardians of any player informing them that ‘someone’ on their team has tested positive for the virus (PSA WILL NOT REVEAL THE NAME OF THE INFECTED INDIVIDUAL).
Under this rule:
If there are no reasons to believe there has been “Close Contact”; continue as usual.
If there is “Close Contact” but no symptoms; stay home for 14 days from date of last close contact if no symptoms develop.
If you test positive for Covid-19, but no symptoms; stay home for 10 days from 1st Positive test if no symptoms develop.
If in the same household with a Covid-19 Positive; stay home for 24 days—14 for initial quarantine, 10 additional days to insure symptoms don't develop.
For anyone that has Symptoms of Covid-19 or a Positive Test, you may return to play if the following apply: 10 days have passed since symptoms started and 24 hours have passed since recovery (defined as: no fever without the use of medications and improvement in respiratory signs like cough and shortness of breath).
**No correspondence from a Doctor is necessary for Return to Play per SCHD as long as all of the above criteria are met. The Snohomish County Health Department details on this topic can be viewed at: https://www.snohd.org/DocumentCenter/View/4552/COVID-Screening-Protocols
