Stable Training Groups: Participants are required to be organized in “stable groups” of a maximum of 15 people. The term “stable groups” means the same individuals, including children, staff and any adult leaders, remain in the same group over the course of the entire program. Children shall not change from one group to another, and groups should occupy the same physical space. Parents and caregivers should choose one stable group for their child per season. It should be noted that coming into close proximity with someone outside your household increases your risk and should be limited as much as possible.

Physical distancing: Physical distancing is encouraged, but not required within each stable group; however, activities where at least six feet of distance can be maintained are encouraged and 14 feet of distance is preferred. When not engaged in active play, members of a stable group should maintain physical distance of six feet between each person.

Screening: Screen adult leaders and youth participants prior to the activity for any symptoms of COVID-19. A screening tool is available, in English and Spanish, to aid with proper screening at https://health.ri.gov/covid/for/business/. Any person exhibiting signs of illness or who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 must be excluded from the activity in accordance with CDC and RI Department of Health guidelines at https://health.ri.gov/diseases/ncov2019/

Hand cleaning: Teach and reinforce handwashing with children engaged in sports activities. If soap and water are not readily available, hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol may be used. Handwashing and/or sanitizing should occur before, during, and after Summer Youth Sports activities.

Facilities: Close shared spaces, such as player benches, are not permitted at this time. For any facilities in use (bathrooms, spectator stands, etc.), a cleaning schedule must be implemented to ensure the frequent cleaning of high-touch areas and a cleaning and disinfection between each use.

Shared objects: Discourage sharing of items that are difficult to clean, sanitize, or disinfect between use (e.g., soccer balls, shin guards, goalie gloves, training jerseys, cones, etc). Participants should bring and use their own equipment where possible, or have equipment designated and labeled for individual use by the organization. Shared equipment should be limited and sanitized between users. Equipment should be staged to allow physical distance between users and to limit multiple touches. All participants must have their own food/beverage items. Cups, bottles, or other food/beverage items are not to be shared.

Player’s equipment should be cleaned and disinfected after each use by a parent/guardian/caretaker, where applicable.

Practice and Training: Only practices and structured training will be allowed until further notice. No games or cross-team scrimmages are permitted. Focus on practice and drills is encouraged rather than games, even within stable groups. Team play may be allowed when physical distancing can easily and continuously be maintained during competitive activity. Risk of transmission increases when there are combined activities or games between two or more stable groups. Competition between groups or teams and travel to play other groups are prohibited.

Face coverings: LYSA Coaches and staff are required to wear a face covering in accordance with RIDOH regulations and Executive Order 20-30 or when unable to easily, continuously, and measurably keep six feet of physical distance from others. Youth participants are encouraged to wear face coverings when not engaged in active play. While engaged in the active play of sports or strenuous activities, youth participants do not need to wear a face covering but can if they want. However, youth participants should be encouraged to wear face masks at all other times. Face coverings shall not be required of those who are unable to comply for health or developmental reasons, including young children who may not be able to effectively wear a mask.

Plan and communication: LYSA shall provide parents, caregivers, and participants with their COVID-19 plan (these guidelines). Organizations are encouraged to appoint a team parent to support coaches in monitoring compliance with COVID-19 plans during practices and drills.

Players are encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer for personal use. Hand sanitizer should be placed in all common areas off-field for easy use.

All individuals should measure their body temperature to ensure that no fever is present prior to participating or attending each LYSA activity. Anyone with symptoms of fever, cough, or worsening respiratory symptoms, or any known exposure to a person with COVID-19 should not attend any LYSA activity until cleared by a medical professional.

Any individual, including players, at risk for severe illness or with serious underlying medical or respiratory conditions should only attend LYSA activities with permission from a medical professional.

Players should arrive at practice no more than 10 minutes prior to their scheduled start time. Please remain in your vehicle if you arrive prior to that. Practice times will be scheduled with a buffer time of at least 15 minutes to ensure stable groups or teams do not cross paths in between sessions.

Players and coaches should take measures to prevent all but the essential contact necessary to play the game. This should include refraining from handshakes, high fives, fist/elbow bumps, chest bumps, group celebrations, etc. 

Players and families should vacate the field/facility as soon as is reasonably possible after the conclusion of their practice/training to minimize unnecessary contact with players, coaches, and spectators from the next practice within the 15 minutes buffer period.

Athletes, trainers/coaches, referees, and other trainers should bring their own personal drinks to all team activities. Drinks should be labeled with the person’s name.

Individuals should take their own drink containers home each night for cleaning and sanitation or use single-use bottles.

There should be no use of shared or team beverages.

Teams should not share any snacks or food. Players should bring individual, pre-packaged food, if needed.

All trainers/coaches, volunteers, referees, spectators, etc., should wear PPE such as cloth face coverings. All players should wear face coverings while not on the soccer field or within a structured training activity. Players are allowed to wear face covering during play if desired.

Players will be assigned designated locations outside of the field of play that they are to return to when not in active play. Parents must remain off the field.

No personal player bags should be allowed in the playing field. Player bags should be spaced accordingly outside at their assigned location to prevent direct contact.

Individuals disinfecting equipment are encouraged to use gloves while using disinfectants and follow the manufacturer’s directions for use. All disinfectants should be stored properly, in a safe area, out of reach of children.

All players and coaches are to refrain from spitting at all times, including on the playing field.

Please have players go to the bathroom before practice. The use of facilities on field premises is unapproved at this time.