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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coaches and spectators must wear facial coverings at ALL times
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- No touching, hand-shakes, fist-bumps etc.
- Rules and guidelines may change throughout the season.