U.S. Soccer releases Phase 2 practice guide for return to play

• by Mike Woitalla  @MikeWoitalla, Jun 24, 2020

U.S. Soccer has added the Phase 2 guide, which reintroduces full-team training, to its Grassroots Soccer Recommendations Guide. A move to Phase 2 should only be made when local authorities deem it safe to gather in groups of more than 10 individuals. The guides are part of U.S. Soccer's PLAY ON campaign to "inform, educate and assist" players, coaches, parents, administrators and referees during the return to organized soccer amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Phase 2 guide is available in Spanish, as is the Phase 1 guide. Phase 1 limits sessions to 9 players and 1 coach.

"We're all excited to get back to full team training in Phase 2, but everyone should make sure it's being done the right way and includes the proper precautions," said U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer George Chiampas. "To move into Phase 2, teams and clubs should make sure their state and local regulations allow for gatherings of more than 10 people and they have spent the past four to six weeks carefully following our Phase 1 guidelines. If we all follow these steps during our return to play process, we can ensure all participants will be as safe as possible when moving from one phase to another."

All of the Phase 1 medical clearance, training prep, facilities cleanings, check-ins and individuals stations recommendations remain part of Phase 2, which introduces managed small-sided games and set-play activities. When not playing in small-sided games or in set-play activities, social distancing should be maintained.

LINKS:
• U.S. Soccer PLAY ON home page
• U.S. Soccer PLAY ON recommendation guides
• Phase 1: Grassroots soccer recommendation guide
• Guía de recomendaciones de fútbol base primera fase
• FAQs: Parents, coaches, players, clubs & organizations, referees
• CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker
• CDC Spanish Communication Resources

• Aspen Institute's Project Play - Coronavirus and Youth Sports
• U.S. Soccer Recognize to Recover – COVID-19 and Mental Health

In this 5-minute video, U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer Dr. George Chiampas details the five phases of return to play of the U.S. Soccer PLAY ON initiative. (For players, coaches, parents, administrators and referees on safe return to play as parts of the nation begin opening up during the COVID-19 pandemic.):