These guidelines will be updated as needed to comply with Federal, State, Regional and AYSO protocols.

AYSO Area 11V Spring Program 2021 Guidelines

WE ARE STILL IN A COVID PANDEMIC. It is everyone’s responsibility to contribute to a FUN, FAIR, and SAFE gaming environment. This means following all guidelines set forth below. Wear a mask, use sanitizers, and maintain 6 feet of distance. Each facility may have different rules that need to be followed. Please take a copy of these guidelines to the field.

COVID-19 Symptoms:

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

• Fever or chills
  
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. See the CDC website for more information.

Game Line-up Cards – Each player on the team roster should be listed on the line-up card with jersey number and name.  The Game Line-up Cards will be used to track match attendance, substitutions and game score as well as serve as a match report. Coaches will provide a Game Line-up Card to the Referee crew to be used during the match. This Spring Program’s focus is all about Player Development; It is about being back on the field and playing this beautiful game called SOCCER.   We will not be tracking standings and there are no play-offs or post season tournaments.  Games are meant to be FUN, FAIR, and SAFE.

Referee Volunteers – Each host region is responsible for tracking and assigning Referees to provide coverage for matches played at their venues each weekend.  

Spectator Responsibility – You are there to enjoy the game and cheer for your team while participating safely and adhering to State, County, and Local COVID Protocols.  This includes social distancing within your household unit and always wearing a mask. Area staff will take quick action for any inappropriate behavior or non-compliance with COVID Protocols. In other words – keep things FUN, FAIR, and SAFE.

Parents & Spectators:

•  If you have any of the symptoms above, STAY HOME and contact your Regional Commissioner. This includes players.
• Wear a mask at all times, covering nose, mouth, and chin to and from the field and while participating on the sideline.
• Local COVID Protocols state that only family members living within the same household may attend the match.  Please limit the number of attendees to household members only.
• Sit in designated areas – on the same touch line as your team and stay 10 feet from the team technical area as well as off from the touch line.
• Always maintain 6 feet of distance from non-household members.
• Stay on your side of the field, do not cross over onto the opposing side of the field, or position yourself behind the goal line.

 Players:

• If you have any of the symptoms above, STAY HOME and contact your Regional Commissioner.
• It is recommended that teams have temperature checks done at the field prior to warm-ups – if a player’s temperature is 100 degrees or higher the player will be sent home.   Players – STAY HOME if you don’t feel well.
• Masks are required, covering nose, mouth and chin to and from the field and when not participating in soccer activities.   When you are on the sideline as a substitute you must wear a mask.  Masks may be removed while actively participating in soccer activities (i.e. warm-ups and match play).
• Arrive dressed and ready for the game.  This includes wearing cleats, shin guards, socks, and game jersey. 
• Keep a minimum of 6 feet distance from non-family members while inside the technical area.
• Do not share water bottles, snacks, equipment, etc.
• Team cheers or celebrations may be allowed, but while maintaining 6 feet of social distance
• There will be no pre-match ceremony for coin toss.   Home team will choose side of field, visiting team will kick-off.

Team Officials:

• If you have any of the symptoms above, STAY HOME and contact your Regional Commissioner.
• Masks are required at all times, before, during and after the game. 
• Only 2 team officials per team are allowed in the technical area.
• Maintain a minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone except as required for an injured player.
• Stay within your technical area while match is in progress.
• Manage substitutes and officials in the technical area to maintain 6 feet of distance and to wear masks.
• Manage parents and spectators on your touch line to always maintain 6 feet of distance within household units and wear masks.
• Do not provide shared snacks, water, our other items – players should bring their own water and snacks.
• Ensure that each child plays at least half of the game for which they are in attendance.

Referees:

• If you have any of the symptoms above, STAY HOME and contact your Regional Commissioner.
• Referees must be a registered AYSO volunteer for the current season.
• Masks are required to and from the field, during pre-game, half-time, and post-game.  Masks are optional during play. Assistant Referees are encouraged to wear masks while running on a touchline where spectators are present.
• As reasonable, maintain at least 6 feet of separation between yourself and players, team officials, other referees.
• Complete a brief player safety check prior to the game.
• Collect the Game Line-up Card to track players and substitutions.
• Use your own equipment when possible.  Do not share flags or whistles.   If an assistant referee requires flags, they will be provided by the Host Region but should be used by a single AR through out the day.  Flags should be sanitized once returned at the end of the day.
• In the event of  non-compliance with Game Day protocols, the referee may solicit help from the offending team’s coach, but the referee is not responsible for enforcement. Referees should report any non-compliance, match incidents and misconduct on the Game Line-up Card and then complete a Misconduct/Incident Report as soon after the match, as possible, on the Area 11 V Scheduler website.
• After the match, game lineup cards should be left in the appropriate place designated by the host region or with the field marshal, if present.

Injured Players:

·         ASSESSMENT / TREATMENT OF AN INJURED PLAYER SHOULD NOT BE DELAYED EVEN IF COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS CANNOT BE FOLLOWED! 

•  After getting permission from the Referee, the coach may enter the field to attend to the injured player.  
• The coach should be wearing a mask and maintain a distance of 6 feet, to the extent possible, to attend to the player.
• After exiting the field all involved should use hand sanitizer.

Field Protocols:

• Teams / Spectators will be on opposite sides of the field.  Home team picks side, visitors kick off.
• Parents / Spectators will sit in designated areas at least 10 feet off the touch line and maintain 6 feet of distance between non-household members.
• Transition between games – next teams should not enter the technical areas or spectator areas until the area is cleared by the prior team.   Games have been scheduled to leave ample time between end/start of match to allow for transition to take place.
• Home team will be responsible to supply 3 match balls.  To the extent possible, the balls should be properly sanitized prior to the match, when not in use during the match, at halftime and at the conclusion of the match. 
• Each venue may have different protocols that need to be followed.  Contact the Field Marshall or Host Region Board Member for local protocols that need to be adhered to, if any.

	Division	Ball Size	# of players on field	Duration of Half
	U6	3	3 v 3 – No Goalkeeper	10 – 14 Minute Halves
	U8	3	5 v 5 – No Goalkeeper	14 – 20 Minute Halves
	U10	4	7 v 7 – including Goalkeeper	25 Minute Halves
	U12	4	9 v 9 – including Goalkeeper	30 Minute Halves
	U14	5	11 v 11 – including Goalkeeper	35 Minute Halves

** Substitution / Hydration Break will be taken approximately half way into each half.
*** Starting 5/1/2021 12U and above will use monitored substitutions.

Again, the AYSO Area 11 V Spring Program is intended to be a PLAYER DEVELOPMENT season. 

The purpose of the program is to provide a FUN, FAIR, and SAFE return of soccer to our area. 

COVID Protocols and Public Health Guidelines change on a regular basis, so these guidelines contained in this document are SUBJECT TO CHANGE.   It is the responsibility of EVERYONE involved to assist in adherence to these guidelines to maintain our programs success and ability to provide a soccer season without sanctions from officials.

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Updated 03/30/2021 09:00 MP
Updated 04/13/2021 08:00 MP
Updated 04/26/2021 05:32 MP