Game Day Check-In Process:

Teams will print and bring:

1. Official US Youth Soccer Roster

2. US Youth Soccer Player Passes (Except those states which have gone digital) 

3. Game Card (taken from Gotsoccer)—Please make sure this is up to date with all player information including pass number

4. Referee Fees—Please refer to the charts at www.edpsoccer.com/ref-procedures

*All players, coaches, and referees must wear a mask during the check-in process

• Each team will submit a Game Card and Printed Roster which the referee will NOT return to the coach. It is suggested that referees use gloves when handling any paperwork.
• Coaches will distribute the passes out to each player who will hold it as the referee checks each one (following social distancing guidelines and all wearing masks) to verify each player via photo on the pass. Referee may ask any player to unmask briefly to verify identity.
• Coaches will hold player passes during the game. Referees will perform a safety equipment check of players while maintaining social distance.
• The only exception to this will be the states that utilize electronic passes. In these states the roster will have the player photos on it and the coach will submit that to the referee to verify the players (again, maintaining social distance and wearing a mask). 

Reporting Scores:

Referees MUST submit scores within 24 hours of the game. The QR code on the game card is the fastest and easiest method for score reporting.

VERY IMPORTANT:

Your State Youth Soccer Association rules precede EDP referee procedures and MUST be followed.

For example, your state may require an indirect free kick restart from the touchline where the ball went out of play for what would normally be a throw-in, you must follow your State Youth Soccer Association rules.

Many State Youth Soccer Associations have modifications for throw-ins, drop balls, deliberate heading, slide tackles, corner kicks, coin toss, etc. due to COVID-19 return to play guidelines. You must follow your State Youth Soccer Association rules.

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 attend the game
   
• 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)
   
• Club field marshals to assist and remind of safety protocols
   
• 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)
   

• Soccer balls and equipment should be disinfected by HOME TEAMS before, during and after each game

• Anyone who becomes sick during the event should leave the facility immediately or seek medical attention from medical staff on site
   
• Ongoing reflection and evaluation, 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 sanitization)
   
• Mark specific areas for players around their team sideline and bench/technical area providing adequate social distancing for nonparticipating players (e.g. 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
   
• Everyone at the event is required to wear a face covering upon arrival when traveling from their vehicle to the fields; upon departure when traveling from the fields to their vehicle; when moving around the facility between fields and through communal areas such as bathrooms, and when not properly social distancing
   
• Players are required to social distance when not playing and to wear face coverings at all times when in the team technical area during games - Players may only remove face coverings during active warm up or when entering the game
   

• Coaches are required to wear face coverings at all times

• 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.
   
• 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 refer to the 'Game Day Check In Process' Protocol found on the EDP League Procedures page and hold player passes during the game.
   
• 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
   
• Anyone feeling sick should leave the facility immediately and go home or seek a healthcare facility
   
• Spectators and guests should bring personal hand sanitizer and wipes to games
   
• All spectators must wear a face covering while at the soccer facility
   
• Spectators must follow directional/informational signage to maintain proper social distancing
   
• Spectators should be separated (in clearly marked areas) to comply with all social distancing guidelines (6 feet apart)
   
• Spectators and supporters should be located on the same side of field as the team they support  
   
• 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
   
• 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
   
• 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 on field to officiate
   
• All referees are required to wear face coverings while moving between the parking lot and the fields and in common areas
   
• 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
   
• All referees should launder clothes and uniforms after each day
   

• Referees should refer to the 'Game Day Check In Procedure' under the EDP League Fall Referee Operations Protocols and Procedures—Coaches should hold player passes during the game

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 between the goal line and the halfway line
   
• Parents and spectators should be positioned on both sides of the same sideline to keep families together
   
• 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 - paint or cones may determine these positions
   
• Referees will be provided a designated area on the end lines to provide separation from teams and spectators during halftime and between games

Field Layout Protocols for All Models:

• 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
   
• Home teams and spectators on the same sideline
   
• Spectators sited diagonally opposite opposing spectators
   

• Team technical areas sited diagonally opposite opposing team

• Assistant Referee runs the line in front of team benches

• Referee area sited near a goal away from spectator
   

View an example of the Recommended Field Layout with new field markings for enhanced social distancing and protocol compliance.

Thank you EDP Leadership Advisory Group:

The EDP Leadership Advisory Group has endorsed these protocols and guidelines. The insight and recommendations they provided during their tenure have helped EDP Soccer shape and frame its league and US Youth Soccer conference structure, as well as set standards and create new player development programs.
 

EDP Leadership Advisory Group

Chairman:  John Ellinger, SAC 

Technical Director:  Simon Collins, EDP Soccer

Members:

• Bobby Puppione, FC Virginia 

• Jonathan Colton, Bethesda SC 

• Dan Harmon, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 

• Kieran Patrick, Cedar Stars Academy Newark 

• Cliff Simmons, SJEB Rush 

• Lee Bakewell, TSF Academy

• Roberto Aguas, FC Copa Academy

• Jordi Meijer, NJ Premier FC