Spring 2021 Season FAQs

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS & Updates for Spring 2021

General Spring Season Updates

Q: FREE KICKS:  All indirect?  Are walls allowed?  What is guidance from BSA on this?

A: Reminder that coaches & refs should still instruct players to maintain social distancing at restarts.  As last season direct freekicks will be awarded as dictated by soccer rules - but there will be less indirect - Covid related freekicks.  Walls will be allowed.

Q: SUBBING:  At any stoppage? At half line or okay straight from bench?

A: Subbing for 3rd-8th grades follow BAYS rules - so coaches need to wait for the refs invitation to make a substitution.  Suggest one player go to half field for subbing even if there are more than one from a team - these subs  can come straight from their spot on bench.

Q: Gators for coaches:

A: No.  Technical MYSA says gators are okay but BSA believes coaches should use masks like the players

Q: Switch ends of field?

A: Yes - younger teams did sometimes remain at same ends for both halves.  This season we want all teams to swap ends after half time.

Q: Goalie gloves: 

A: Not mandatory but if shared within practice/game, use nitrile gloves underneath.

Q: Coach equipment:

A: For spring season there is no default base coach package?  All coaches can use the online order form and make sure to have first aid kits.  Masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, first aid kits as well as spare pinnies will be available each Saturday at the fields.

Q: If locks are damaged/cannot lock or unlock, what is next step (who to report to)?

A: Email Laurie, copy David.  Both emails available under BSA tab on website

Q: Reserving for practice- can reserve a whole field for practice?

A: No. You might be lucky and get the whole field, but can only reserve half of the size field your age group plays on. 

Q: What happens with bad weather?

A: Posted on website (BSA), and on TeamSnap.  Email will get sent out but coaches should be checking the BSA website.  Town will close fields if they are unplayable.

Q: Coach assessments?  

A.  Will try to send out assessment early so coaches know what to be looking for throughout season.  Simply bullet points especially to try to observe and keep this in mind as the season progresses. Remember kids may improve too, so look out for things but actually do the assessment at end of season when you have a full body of work.  This assessment will form much of the basis upon which teams will be formed.

Q: TEAM SNAP usage?

A: Yes.  All coaches and parents will need the App - and invitation has/is sent to each email listed in AdminSports.  Game schedule has been added automatically but coaches will need to add practices.  Remember: Parents should fill out COVID check - if they do not, any coach can do when they arrive.

Q: New coaches?

A: Check with registrar, Jeffrey Dreyfus - email on BSA tab.  

Q: Do not need physical rosters for referees for games

A: No

Q: Do coaches require credentials/lanyards with ID

A: Yes.  No lanyard/ID then no coaching.  If you need a new ID email Jeff Dreyfus.  New lanyard email Chris Heuisler.

Q:  Should a player get a new uniform from Gerry if same number?

A:  No need.  If two players have same number, it is okay.  Just point out to referee in check in and add a bit of first aid tape to distinguish one player from another.

 

Other FAQs

Q:  How will we handle water breaks for kids as it relates to masks?

A: When appropriate, e.g., during a break, and when more than six feet away from any other player/coach or ref, players can remove their masks to take a breath or drink.

Q: Related to the rule of one spectator per player, is one parent expected to leave if both show up at a game?

A: Updated guidance now allows 2 spectators per player, plus siblings. If parents are refusing to comply with this changed guidance, coaches and officials will alert the BSA COVID Office ([email protected])

Q: Do coaches count as our child’s two spectators allowed?

A: No.  Coaches are associated with the numbers playing – not spectators.

Q: Does a confirmed negative PCR test for SARS-Cov-2 after a player is in contact with a positive person still require a 14 day stop in soccer in activities?

A: Yes.  Based on guidance from MYSA, BSA will err on the side of caution and keep close contact group away from soccer for 14 days.

Q: What information will coaches send to parents about the new rules?

A: All information on the new COVID19 protocols is available in the season welcome email from coaches as well as posted in ‘Announcements’ section of the BSA website.  Parents and coaches can email [email protected] with additional questions.

RULES OF PLAY

Q: Will there be refs for K-2nd Grade?

A: No.  Coaches will run these practices, scrimmages and game sessions.

Q: Are there any coaching materials available on how you teach a player to tackle/dispossess an opposition player without contact (incidental or otherwise)?

A: MYSA has drills which aim to comply with social distancing guidance (https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/physical-distancing-session-plans/ )

COACHING

Q: Can we have more than two coaches per team?

A: Yes, however only three coaches can attend any one practice or games.  We have assigned all volunteer coaches to teams because we cannot be sure when each coach’s ID will be processed and their availability.  When we have more than two coaches per team, we ask coaches to coordinate.  We appreciate that having more coaches is likely not needed for each practice and game per week.

Q: Can coaches order extra equipment for practices and games?

A: Yes. Coached can order balls, cones, etc. No pinnies or goalie shirts should be ordered.  Go to ‘Coaches’ section of BSA website.  Note: An error has been seen by some coaches.  If this happens please email Champions directly at [email protected] with items (only items from the list - no pinnies or goalie shirts).  Copy [email protected]

Q: What about pinnies for practice?

A: Pinnies will be provided to coaches to provide to kids – one pinnie per child. They will have to bring their own to each practice – please encourage them to wash them regularly so they are clean.

Q: Will Nitrile gloves be made available?

A: Yes.

Q: Can coaches conduct practices at any fields?

A: Depends - as long as aligned with practice coordinator then other fields can be used.

GENERAL

Q: If a parent did not order a uniform, can they still purchase one at Champions?

A: Yes, uniforms can be purchased from Champions.

Q: Do children bring their own balls to practice? Do we use team balls?

A: Yes, each child should bring his/her own ball to practice for individual drills. The coach will provide team balls for team drills and scrimmages – balls should under no circumstances be handled or headed. If they are, do not use again until cleaned first.

Q: What times are the games Saturday?

A: Schedule posted here.  Also, the schedule will be loaded into TeamSnap and be available in the AdminSports calendar

Q: Are half-time snacks and post-game handshakes allowed?  

A: No.  Children should have individual water bottles and personal snacks as needed.  A cheer and a thank you to the refs is a great way to end a game.

Q: What is the game or practice cancellation process?

A: If we need to cancel games or practices, the BSA website will be updated, in addition email messages will be sent to coaches and coaches will contact parents.

Q: With all teams in 3rd Grade and above wearing maroon, how will teams differentiate themselves?

A: Pinnies will be distributed directly to players during first two weeks.  Players will need to be responsible for bringing and cleaning their pinnies each game.  Some spare pinnies will be available each week as needed.

Q:  Are team roster changes still possible/happening in case a child needs a different practice schedule than their current team?

A: It is likely roster changes will happen as players withdraw / register.  However, we have asked coaches to try and make the rosters work by scheduling a practice time all can attend.  We know this is a challenge, but at this time we will not be taking individual change requests from parents.

Q: Are players supposed to show up 30 mins before the game time?

A: Players should show up no more than 15 minutes before a game.  There is now more time between games in an attempt for exiting teams to leave before next teams arrive. Parents should wait in their car or away from entrances/exits until the fields are clear, any previous games/practices are finished and it is time to enter the field.