Overview:

Acton Boxborough Youth Soccer is planning a fall program using the guidelines set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Youth Soccer (MYSA), Boston Area Youth Soccer (BAYS) and the Towns of Acton and Boxborough.  THE GUIDANCE FROM THE STATE AND MYSA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.  WE WILL KEEP THIS PAGE UPDATED WITH THE LATEST INFORMATION AS WE RECEIVE IT.

In accordance with COVID-19 order no 43 issued by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on July 6, 2020, with amendments to supporting documentation issued on August 13, 2020 by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA), Mass Youth Soccer has determined the need to require specific modifications in order for Soccer to be continued to be played as a Moderate Risk Sport under the expansion of Phase III, Levels 1, 2, and 3.  

Updated Return to Play Guidelines and modifications to all Mass Youth Soccer sanctioned soccer activities will go into effect on Monday August 17, 2020.

Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read, understand and conduct themselves in accordance with the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association COVID-19 Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines. 

The following rules, guidelines and changes are a summary of the detailed guidelines provided by the EEA and MYSA regarding playing soccer this fall. Please review and familiarize with these guidelines.

Top 10 Things to Know:

1. Ensure player health.
   • Take temperature daily.
     
   • Do not send child to soccer activities if they have any symptoms.
     
   • Notify your coach if child becomes sick.
     
2. Players should practice proper hygiene.
   • Wash hands frequently with soap and water.
     
   • Have your own hand sanitizer.
     
   • Sanitize hands and equipment before and after activities.
     
   • No shared equipment.
     
3. MYSA/BAYS Game Modifications.
   • Heading is suspended.
   • Shoulder to shoulder contact is suspended and/or any other intentional physical contact is now a foul.
   • Slide tackling is suspended.
   • Throw-ins are suspended - kick-in will replace it.
   • Corner-kicks are altered- kick-in with player spacing will replace it.
   • Players must stay 6 feet apart during all restarts.
   • Defensive walls are suspended.
   • Drop-ball restarts are suspended.
4. Protective Equipment
   
   • Per State and MYSA guidance, activity organizers must require facial coverings to be worn by players while engaged in an activity wherever possible.
     
   • Not required for individuals that are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.
5. Coaches and spectators must wear facial coverings at ALL times
6. Outdoor Competition
   
   • Players limited to 25 per field
     
   • No more than 50 spectators (excluding coaches, players and officials). This means only 1 parent/guardian per child.
     
7. All teams must have a volunteer COVID-19 Safety Coordinator
   
   • Coordinator may be one of the assistant coaches.
     
   • Preference is for a non-coach parent from the team to volunteer
     
8. Social distancing
   
   • Spectators must maintain a distance of 6 feet at all times.
   • Coaches must maintain a distance of 6 feet from players at all times.
   • Players must maintain a distance of 6 feet when not on the playing field.
9. No touching, hand-shakes, fist-bumps etc.
   
10. Rules and guidelines may change throughout the season.

1. No spectators should attend practices for Grade 3 and above.
   
2. No snacks should be shared by teams.
3. We are increasing time between games to minimize the foot traffic entering and exiting fields.  Please leave fields promptly when activities are over.
4. We will have only one practice time slot per day to minimize foot traffic of teams entering and existing practices at the same time.
5. Field entrances and exits to be marked.
6. Micros, Kinders, 1st grade and 2nd grade will not have weeknight practices.  All sessions will be held on weekends.  
7. We may play 3 v 3 instead of 4 v 4 for some groups.

Q: What is the process for submitting a medical exception for a player who cannot wear a mask during play?
A: Please obtain a note from the player's doctor stating that the player cannot wear a mask during play.  This note should not specify any additional medical information such as the reason for not being able to wear a mask.  Provide a copy of the note to the player's coach.

Q: Do spectators have to wear masks if they are spaced 6 feet apart?
A: Yes, per guidelines from the State and MYSA, all spectators must wear masks at all times.

Q: What is the role of the team COVID-19 Coordinator?
A: The team COVID-19 Coordinator role is to assist the Coach in ensuring that the team and spectators are compliant with Massachusetts Youth Soccer’s Return to Soccer Activity Guidelines during practice sessions and games.