General Field Layout Protocols:

• Increase space between fields to provide better social distancing and reduce crowding
   
• Reduce the number of people on site in one area at any one time to promote social distancing

General Health and Safety Operational Protocols:

• Provide communications (emails, zoom calls etc.) to clearly communicate expectations and protocols, increase health and safety, and reduce risk
   
• Provide video/multimedia health and safety tutorials for all staff, participants and spectators
   
• Train coaches and team managers on protocols and guidelines
   
• All players and coaches should do a temperature self-check prior to each league game
   
• If a person has a temperature over 100 degrees, they should not play
   
• Anyone who feels sick or has any symptoms of COVID-19 should not attend league games
   
• Anyone who has had close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 should not attend league games
   
• All people planning to be on site should bring their own face coverings, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, hydration and food
   
• Signage and barriers (e.g. tape, cones) to ensure proper health and safety protocols are followed by all attendees (i.e. proper social distancing, use of face coverings and good hygiene practices)
   
• Field marshals to assist and remind of safety protocols
   
• Medical staff (with proper PPE) on site
   
• No team or group pictures allowed on site
   
• No team benches provided, and teams should not bring their own bench (as players must remain 6 ft. apart while not playing)
   
• Anyone who becomes sick during the event should leave the facility immediately or seek medical attention from medical staff on site
   
• Post-event reports to assist in evaluating and assessing policies and procedures
   
• Survey participating teams after the first week or two of league play to get input/suggestions

League Participant Protocols:

Players and Coaches:

• Do not allow any team member(s) with symptoms to attend any league games
   
• If you are sick, feeling sick or have a temperature of 100 degrees or higher, you must not attend league games
   
• Players and coaches should remain in their vehicles until the designated time to enter the facility (to allow teams and supporters at previous games to leave the facility and allow time for sanitation)
   
• Mark specific areas for players around their team sideline and bench/technical area to provide for adequate social distancing for those players who are not on the field during competition (e.g. could place players’ bags 6 feet apart)
   
• Do not use team benches because they do not support social distancing
   
• No early arrival and warm up in areas outside of the playing field prior to the game
   
• Players and coaches must wear face coverings between the parking lot and the field
   
• Players and coaches in the team area may remove face coverings during active warm up and the during game
   
• Coaches must wear face coverings when addressing players in close proximity. Coach(es) and players should maintain social distancing during half time, water breaks and at all times when off the field of play.
   
• Coaches and players should maintain social distancing in the “bench area” as well as before and after games
   
• Do not share water bottles, drinks or food or any personal items
   
• Hand contact of any kind will be prohibited (i.e. handshakes, ‘high fives,’ etc.)
   
• Soccer balls should be disinfected before, during and after each game
   
• No spitting will be allowed on the field, sidelines, or anywhere else
   
• Players and coaches should bring their own hydration and not share food or beverages with others
   
• Coaches should possess player passes during the game - do not exchange documents with the referee(s)
   
• Tents or tarps may be used only in the technical areas to shield players from the sun and heat. It is recommended to bring enough tents so that all players may be in the shade while maintaining proper social distancing
   
• Everyone should cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (recommend covering mouth with the nape of the elbow)
   
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with hands
   
• Players or coach should sanitize their hands each time they come off the field
   
• All coaches and players should launder clothes, uniforms, and vests immediately after games

Parents and Spectators

• Anyone with symptoms (fever, cough, etc.) must not attend games
   
• Spectators and guests should bring personal hand sanitizer and wipes to games
   
• All spectators must wear a face covering traveling while between the parking lots and the fields
   
• Spectators must follow directional signage entrances and exits to the facility and at the fields to maintain proper social distancing
   
• Spectators should be separated (in clearly marked areas) to comply with all social distancing guidelines (6 feet apart)
   
• Face coverings must also be worn when traveling through common areas (going to porta pots, etc.)
   
• Spectators and supporters should be located on the same side of field as the team they support to reduce interaction between competing teams and their supporters (see field diagrams)
   
• Anyone feeling sick should leave the facility immediately and go home or seek a healthcare facility
   
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with their hands whenever possible
   
• Tents, tarps or large group structures will not be permitted in the spectator areas of sidelines (Only within technical areas for players and coaches)
   
• It is strongly recommended that people over 65 and/or with pre-existing conditions do not attend 
   
• EDP Soccer strongly recommends that only one (1) parent/supporter per player attend each game
   
• All supporters should maintain social distancing on the sidelines (minimum of 6 ft. apart)
   
• Everyone is expected to cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (recommended into the nape of the elbow)

Referees:

• Anyone with symptoms must not work any games
   
• All referees should take their temperature taken prior to going to field to officiate
   
• All referees are required to wear face coverings while moving between the parking lot and the fields
   
• Referees in common areas should wear masks at all times
   
• Referees must cover their mouth when coughing or sneezing (recommended into the nape of the elbow)
   
• Physical contact of any kind is prohibited (i.e. handshakes, “high fives”, etc.)
   
• May use artificial or electronic noise makers rather than whistles
   
• Soccer balls and equipment will be disinfected by referees before, during and after each game
   
• All referees should launder clothes and uniforms after each day

Enhanced Field Layouts

• Fields should be spaced apart to allow wide aisles for walkways and foot traffic
   
• Teams should be placed on opposite sides of each field, and team parents and spectators will be on the same side as their players
   
• Designated technical areas for coaches and players should be clearly marked and placed at the centerline
   
• Parents and spectators should be positioned on both sides of the same sideline to keep families together while limiting the need for participants to move around the field
   
• Dashed painted lines should be placed 10’ out from field sidelines to allow extra space for safe gameplay
   
• Individual spectators are required to sit or stand on field sidelines only within designated positions that will be placed 6’ apart and marked with paint
   
• Each field should have a designated referee area on the end lines so the officials can be separated from teams and spectators during halftime and between games

View examples of field layouts and markings:  
7v7 Field - 8U-10U  |  9v9 Field - 11U-12U  |  11v11 Field - 13U-14U  |  11v11 Field - 15U-19U