July 6, 2020 - The Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced today that Youth Sports is entering Phase 3 Step 1. Soccer, considered a Higher Risk sport, is permitted to be conducted at Level 1 only.
Level 1 is defined as Individual or socially distanced group activities (no-contact workouts, aerobic conditioning, individual skill work, and drills). Essentially this is a continuation of Phase 2 with some minor modifications. Instead of being limited to 12 participants the following is now permitted:
For team and group sports, no more than 25 players or participants can be on a single playing surface/area/court at any one time. The number of coaches and staff should be limited. Larger playing areas and surfaces, such as athletic fields, tracks, facilities that have multiple courts or playing areas, may be used by more than one group at one time, provided that adequate social distance and group separation can be maintained. To ensure group separation, groups must be spaced at least 20 feet apart while sharing a single playing surface, court or field.
(Click here for Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Memo of July 6, 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 as provided by this web site.
Return to Soccer Activities Guidelines - UPDATED FOR PHASE III, STEP 1- Click here to download PDF - Updated July 10th 2020
Note to Member organizations, please use the link mayouthsoccer.org/returntosocceractivitiespdf/ in registration forms to ensure you are linking to the most current version of this document.
Massachusetts Youth Soccer is dedicated to protecting the health of all people in and outside of our community. In an effort to assist our players, coaches and parents with their efforts to return to play after the recent suspension of activities, due to COVID-19, Massachusetts Youth Soccer has put together the Return to Soccer Activities guidelines for our affiliate members to use. Mass Youth Soccer requires all adults involved in soccer activities to read, understand and conduct themselves in accordance with these Guidelines.
Given the nature of this pandemic, this framework may change at any time based on the most recent CDC and or Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) guidelines. Please keep in mind that local municipalities may have additional guidelines in place that will need to be adhered to. Once this order has been relaxed, please be aware that individual counties and jurisdictions may have additional restrictions in place that affect your decisions.
Return to Play Webinar - Wednesday July 8th - 7pm
Checklist for Member Organization Leaders
This document provides a simple checklist for Member Organizations to use as they prepare to return to soccer activities in Phase 2 of Reopening Massachusetts. All Mass Youth Soccer member organizations must follow the association’s guidelines. In addition, each organization may adopt additional protocols consistent with their specific needs and circumstances to help protect the health and safety of all members, employees, volunteers, and participants.
Member Organization Checklist - Download PDF
Member Organization COVID-19 Safety Officer
Based on strong recommendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, U.S. Soccer, US Youth Soccer and other governing entities, Mass Youth Soccer requires all Member Organizations to appoint an individual(s) to act as their COVID-19 Safety Officer(s). The COVID-19 Safety Officer(s) will be responsible for communicating policies organization-wide, to coaching staff, administrators, parents, and players.
This person(s) can be the current organization's CORI Submitter/Risk Manager or another person(s) appointed by the member organization's board.
Resources for Coaches
The Mass Youth Soccer Technical Department has developed resources to assist coaches during Phase 2 Reopening Massachusetts. In addition, Technical Staff will lead Coaching Conversations focused on the Physical and Mental Well-being of Children and Youth Athletes throughout the next 2 weeks.
Return to Play - Coaches Toolkit - PDF
Physical Distancing Session Plans