“These guidelines and best practices are intended for use WHEN AND IF your local authorities have deemed it safe to return to the practice field. U.S. Soccer is in noway endorsing holding practices or games in violation of any federal, state or local mandates.”
— Dr. George Chiampas, U.S. Soccer Chief Medical Officer.
I remember so clearly — even though it was decades ago — the disappointment I felt as a boy when a game got rained out. I’d get angry– “So what if it’s raining!” — and sad when the cancellation on Saturday ruined what I had looked forward to all week.
How much worse it is for children who for months haven’t been able to playsoccer — on top of all the other normal activities they’ve been denied.
Rainouts are no longer as common thanks to artificial turf, but canceled games and practices were still the worst partof coaching. Repeatedly checking the weather app and waiting for the decision from the field coordinator — the unsung hero of youth soccer — on if we could play.
How much worse it is now. Adeadly pandemic has weighed in on the decision on whether to play. There is the possibility that participants in a group gathering who may not be susceptible themselves to the virus’ dangers couldspread it along to those who are. The complexity of stifling coronavirus’ spread is further complicated in the USA for various reasons, including:
In some areas people will feel more confidentabout the safety of loosening restrictions than in others where COVID-19 has hit tragically hard. And much of American soccer is a business; livelihoods of coaches and directors depend on it, creatingmore pressure on returning to play.
Guidance on how to proceed — “if your local authorities have deemed it safe to return to the practice field” — have been provided by U.S. Soccer,whose Chief Medical Officer, George Chiampas is also on the FIFA Medical Committee, Chairman of the Concacaf Medical Committee, and an emergencyroom doctor at Chicago’s Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
U.S. Soccer’s “Play On” website resource includes precise practice plans for Phase 1 (Grassroots Individual and Small Group Training) and detailed safety measures.
A sampling of Phase 1 guidelines tocoaches:
• Coaches should plan a progressive build up to training at full intensity over two to four weeks, to minimize the risk of injury.
• Where possible, generalteam bibs should not be used. The coach is recommended to make a plan in advance of training and as necessary suggest a specific training gear color for players to arrive in.
•Training should be organized into individual or small group sessions with a maximum of nine players and one coach (or less, based on state/local social distancing guidelines).
•Throw-ins and headers should be avoided.
“While U.S. Soccer is providing this information asrecommendations, these guidelines are intended for consideration by national and state soccer associations, clubs, players, coaches, referees and parents as a consistent and risk mitigation pathway toreturn to play. At all times, please defer to your local and state public health authorities for specific modifications and/or alterations.”
Therecommendation guides are available in English and Spanish.
In coming weeks, U.S. Soccer will add guides for Phase 2 and 3. I believe that’s a wise approach, because it allows furtherassessment of how COVID is being contained or spreading — and releasing later-phase guidelines now could be misinterpreted as a green light to proceed by coaches who aren’t closely paying attentionto federal, state and local guidelines.
“We all know the game of soccer is important to the physical, mental and emotional wellness of our youth players,” says Chiampas. “In consideration ofhow COVID-19 is transmitted, it is vitally important that everyone involved in the process of return-to-play does so with extreme diligence and attention to the widely-agreed-upon standardsand guidelines.”
My rainout complaints sound petty now. Extreme patience is required. There’s much more at stake than ruined grass.
LINKS:
• U.S. Soccer PLAY ON home page
• U.S. Soccer PLAY ON recommendationguides
• Phase 1: Grassroots soccer recommendationguide
• Guía de recomendaciones de fútbolbase primera fase
• FAQs: Parents, coaches, players, clubs &organizations, referees
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• Aspen Institute’s Project Play – Coronavirus and Youth Sports
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