Return to Activity Protocol

Glen-Ed Sports Association is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of our soccer community. We understand that our member organizations want to get back on the field, but this must be done with strict focus on the safety of the players, coaches, referees and families and follow state and local guidelines for resumption of activities. The purpose of this document is to provide our athletes, parents, and coaches with information that they can use to assist them with developing their return-to-activity programming specific to their situation in context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illinois is currently in Restore Illinois Phase 2 in which coaching occurs virtually and all soccer activities remain suspended until a region is designated as Restore Illinois Phase 3. In Phase 3, gatherings of ten (10) or fewer people are allowed as long as capacity and safety precautions are maintained. Face coverings and social distancing are the norm.

This Protocol is based on US Soccer and US Youth Soccer guidelines for soccer organizations, clubs and teams that have reached the Restore Illinois Phase 3 Recovery, the Public Health Approach to Safely Reopen the State. The information in this document is NOT intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, Glen-Ed Sports Association makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the completeness of this information.

Further, we will strictly comply with the Center for Disease Control (CDC), state and local guidelines for the resumption of play and seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health official. These guidelines address only early phases of return-to-play and additional guidelines may, or may not, follow as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.

Although the young and healthy may be subject to less severe cases of COVID-19, every case of this disease is potentially life-altering or deadly, particularly in those with risk factors that may occur within our communities. Health consequences may be long-standing and only apparent weeks after initial infection and recovery. Until COVID-19 is either eradicated, a vaccine is developed, or a cure is found, there is no way of eliminating the risk of infection. This should always be at the forefront when designing and considering return-to-activity.

Criteria for participation in permitted small group training sessions for athletes, coaches and staff:

• Sessions will be confined to no more than ten (10) players.
• All participants must maintain at least a 6 feet distance between each other.
• Small group tryout/training sessions should take place outside in an area where social distancing can be maintained.
• Participants must not exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days and have no known exposure to someone that has been ill in 14 days.
• Participants must not have above normal temperature readings. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4°F or above shall not be permitted to remain on site. If practical before participating in the activity, sport organizer should take participants temperature via a touchless thermometer. Parents should check them prior to attending tryouts/training.
• Participants will use their own equipment and properly sanitize the equipment prior to attending tryouts/training.
• Participants will use their own water bottle, towel and any other personal hygiene products.
• The tryout/training session will avoid any activities that may require direct or indirect contact (e.g. bumping) between athletes.
• Ensure participants are abiding by the State of Illinois’ ordinance regarding appropriate personal protective equipment, (gloves, face mask, etc.) Masks are permitted but not required to be worn by the players during during tryout/training activities.
• Coaches must maintain social distancing from all participants.

Introduction of Principles and Responsibilities

• Require all players attending tryouts/training to complete and sign the “IYSA Communicable Disease Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement” PRIOR to participation.
• Have an action plan in place, in case of notification of a positive test result.
• Train and educate all staff on protocols and requirements, including state and local regulations, CDC recommendations and other necessary safety information.
• Provide adequate field space for social distancing.

Coach Responsibilities:

• Ensure the health and safety of the
• Masks are permitted but not required to be worn by the players during training.
• Inquire how the athletes are feeling. Send home anyone they believe acts or looks ill.
• Follow all state and local health protocols/guidelines.
• Ensure all athletes have their own individual equipment (ball, water, bag )
• Ensure coach is the only person to handle equipment (e.g. cones, disk etc.); do not enlist help from parents or attendees.
• All training should be conducted outdoors and compliant with social distancing per state or local health guidelines.
• Coaches should maintain at least 6 feet social distance requirements from players based on state and local health requirements.
• Have fun, stay positive

Parent Responsibilities:

• Ensure your child is healthy and check your child’s temperature before activities with others.
• Consider not carpooling or very limited carpooling.
• Stay in the car is recommendation but above all, maintain minimum 6 feet social distance requirement.
• Follow the current state orders for wearing a mask.
• Ensure child’s clothing is washed after every tryout/training session.
• Ensure all equipment (cleats, ball, shin guards etc.) are sanitized before and after every tryout/training.
• Notify the club immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason.
• Do not assist coaches with equipment before or after tryouts/training.
• Be sure your child has necessary sanitizing products with them at every training session.

Player Responsibilities:

• Take your temperature daily and especially before activities with others.
• Wash hands thoroughly before and after
• Bring and use hand sanitizer with you at every tryout/training.
• Masks are permitted but not required to be worn by the players during tryouts/training.
• Do not touch or share anyone else’s equipment, water, food or bags.
• Practice social distancing, place bags and equipment at least 6 feet apart.
• Wash and sanitize all equipment before and after every tryout/training session.
• No group celebrations, high-5’s, hugs, handshakes, fist-bumps, etc.
• Follow all CDC guidelines as well those of your local health authorities.