Updated MYSA Return To Play Guidelines

[Unregistered]

https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets..._august_15.pdf

Mass Youth Soccer is hereby immediately implementing modifications for all sanctioned soccer games (scrimmages, friendlies, league). Suspended activities to meet necessary modification include:

• Heading - All intentional heading of a soccer ball is suspended for all ages. Any intentional heading will be treated as a violation of IFAB Law 12, Playing in a Dangerous Manner, Indirect Free Kick restart

• Shoulder to Shoulder contact is suspended and or any other intentional physical contact is to be considered a violation of Law 12, Playing in a Dangerous Manner, Indirect Free Kick restart or other applicable foul or misconduct based on the referee’s decision.

• Slide Tackling whenever within 6 feet of another player is suspended and is to be considered a violation of Law 12, Playing in a Dangerous Manner, Indirect Free Kick restart or other applicable foul or misconduct based on the referee’s decision.

• Throw-Ins as defined by IFAB Law 15 are suspended and to be replaced by a Kick-in. The modifications for the procedure for a Kick-in is:
o The player taking the Kick-in must be facing the field of play and need not keep both feet on the ground during the Kick-in.
o Must put part of the ball on the touchline or on the ground outside the touchline
o The ball may not be kicked directly into the opponent’s penalty area.
o All opponents must stand at least 10 yards (8 yards for small sided) from the point on the touchline where the Kick-in is to be taken.
o IFAB Law 15 Offences and Sanctions for Throw-ins apply to Kick-ins.

• Corner Kicks as defined by IFAB Law 17 are suspended and to be replaced by a Corner Kick-in. The modifications for the procedure for a Corner Kick-in are:
o The ball may not be kicked directly into the opponent’s penalty area.
o Opponents must remain at least 10 yds (8 yards for small sided) from the corner arc until the ball is in play
o IFAB Law 17 Offences and Sanctions for Corner Kicks apply to Corner Kick-ins.

• For all restarts, all players must comply with the 6 -foot distancing from both teammates and opponents. Opponents must remain at 10 yds (8 yards for small sided) from the ball prior to the kick. The use of a traditional defensive Wall is currently suspended.

• The use of a Dropped Ball as a restart is suspended. To replace this procedure, an Indirect Free Kick will be awarded to the team whom the referee deemed to be in possession when the referee stops play.

[Unregistered]

Doesn’t appear that they are requiring wearing masks during play which is good.

[Unregistered]

Doesn’t appear that they are requiring wearing masks during play which is good.

Not sure. There's an accompanying document that goes into other issues. That doc includes the rules regarding face coverings:

PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND FACIAL COVERINGS FOR ALL SPORTS

While limiting proximity of participants is the first line of defense to reduce the risk of transmission Facility Operators and Activity Organizers must require facial coverings to be worn by all participants except:

• During high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activities.
• When distancing of 6 feet or more is possible between participants whenever feasible; or
• For individuals that are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition or disability.

Otherwise, Activity Organizers must require facial coverings to be worn while engaged in an activity wherever possible. Some sports by their nature involve intense aerobic activity throughout play. For these sports it is required that players use facial coverings when possible, take frequent breaks when they are out of proximity to other players using caution to avoid touching the front or inside of the face covering by using the ear loops to remove and replace.

For example: soccer players should have facial coverings with them at all times and where possible play with the facial covering on, removing it for long runs down the field, for plays without close contact, and in the goal. Participants for all sports must wear facial coverings while on the sidelines at ALL times and in any huddles or time-outs. Coaches, staff referees, umpires, and other officials are required to wear facial coverings and maintain a social distance of 6 feet from players, coaches, spectators and other persons at all times..

https://www.mayouthsoccer.org/assets..._august_15.pdf

[Unregistered]

Is this for every league played in MA or just school sports?

[Unregistered]

That appears to be just a reiteration of the generic guidance from EEA. Doesn’t look like MYS made any specific comments about it. Seems to me they are relying on the first exception, deeming soccer to be a “high intensity aerobic or anaerobic activity” which it is.

[Unregistered]

Sideline out of bounds is more like Futsal now. This will be interesting depending on how strictly they call things.

[Unregistered]

Does anyone understand what banning heading does for safety from Covid? Also throw ins?

Also any intentional contact becoming a foul is going to completely change the game. Not really sure about that one. if we can't play with contact we probably just should play.

[Unregistered]

We need MYSA to clarify the facial covering requirement, ASAP.

The language in this updated document is a copy paste from the EEA.

When a player is on the field of play (not on the bench/sideline), MUST he/she have a mask on?

MYSA please answer this question.

[Unregistered]

"Some sports by their nature involve intense aerobic activity throughout play. For these sports it is required that players use facial coverings when possible, take frequent breaks when they are out of proximity to other players using caution to avoid touching the front or inside of the face covering by using the ear loops to remove and replace.

For example: soccer players should have facial coverings with them at all times and where possible play with the facial covering on, removing it for long runs down the field, for plays without close contact, and in the goal."

Seems pretty clear that masks are required, but can be removed during and replaced during play.

[Unregistered]

Sigh. Much of this completely unnecessary and none of the surrounding states are requiring these measures. A step backwards indeed. Has anyone checked our very concerning positivity rate “uptick” lately?

[Unregistered]

"Some sports by their nature involve intense aerobic activity throughout play. For these sports it is required that players use facial coverings when possible, take frequent breaks when they are out of proximity to other players using caution to avoid touching the front or inside of the face covering by using the ear loops to remove and replace.

For example: soccer players should have facial coverings with them at all times and where possible play with the facial covering on, removing it for long runs down the field, for plays without close contact, and in the goal."

Seems pretty clear that masks are required, but can be removed during and replaced during play.

You could read it like that, or like this...

"For these sports it is required that players use facial coverings when possible"

WHEN POSSIBLE are the key words

One could make the point that it is NOT POSSIBLE to safely engage in an intense aerobic activity like soccer while wearing a facial covering.

This needs to be clarified by MYSA.

[Unregistered]

You could read it like that, or like this...

"For these sports it is required that players use facial coverings when possible"

WHEN POSSIBLE are the key words

One could make the point that it is NOT POSSIBLE to safely engage in an intense aerobic activity like soccer while wearing a facial covering.

This needs to be clarified by MYSA.

“Honey, I won’t have sex outside our marriage when possible.”

[Unregistered]

Sigh. Much of this completely unnecessary and none of the surrounding states are requiring these measures. A step backwards indeed. Has anyone checked our very concerning positivity rate “uptick” lately?

Earlier this week, Baker put out that map with about 4 towns in red as high risk all clustered together (Chelsea, Revere, etc.). Looked at the map online yesterday and there were over 2 dozen towns in red with new ones near Worcester, in Fall River, and North Shore. All added to high risk within 5 days so the numbers aren’t going in the right direction.

[Unregistered]

Totally disagree. The 7 day average positivity rate is the lowest it’s ever been in MA. We are in the best shape we’ve ever been.

[Unregistered]

Earlier this week, Baker put out that map with about 4 towns in red as high risk all clustered together (Chelsea, Revere, etc.). Looked at the map online yesterday and there were over 2 dozen towns in red with new ones near Worcester, in Fall River, and North Shore. All added to high risk within 5 days so the numbers aren’t going in the right direction.

Please just go look at the actual data for yourself. It’s not that hard (just google MA Covid data) and it sounds like you will be surprised.