• Region 459 Return to Play Portal
  
• Area C Return to Play Guidelines

Region 459 will be using the Area C Return to Play Guidelines to ensure a safe soccer environment for all our kids and volunteers. These guidelines are divided into two sections, training and match play. Until the State moves our area into Phase 5 of the reopening plan, we will be concentrating on the training section.

General Guidance The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers recommendations on how members of the public can limit the spread of the coronavirus. They currently include: 

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and exercise equipment (including cones, disks, or soccer balls). 
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Wear a cloth face covering that covers your nose and mouth in public settings.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from non-household members.
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissue when coughing or sneezing. 
• Stay at home if you are sick.

Healthy Participants Only: Any players, coaches, spectators who are sick will not be allowed at any training or match. 

• Face coverings should be worn by players, coaches, referees and other volunteers to and from the field.
• Players are required to wear facial coverings for arrival, team warm-ups, and pre-match preparation.
• Facial coverings are required for players participating in match play.
• Facial coverings are recommended for substitute players while not in active play. Facial coverings are required for any substitute player who is unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing requirements.
  
• Wearing a facial covering is encouraged for coaches for the duration of any match. Facial coverings are required for the Coach who is unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing requirements.
• Referees are recommended to wear facial coverings for arrival, field inspection, and pre-match duties. Facial coverings are required for referees during a match if they are unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing requirements.
• Wearing face masks is encouraged for Team Parent for the duration of any training session. Face masks are required for the Team Parent who is unable to maintain appropriate physical distancing requirements.

Training Protocols:

• Age-Specific Skills Training will continue until we are cleared to play competitive matches or until the end of the fall season. Whichever comes first.
• Coaches are responsible for creating personal prep stations for each player/volunteer that attends training.
• Players are not required to have an individual designated ball for training.
• The use of shared balls between players is allowed in foot drills with avoidance of the use of hands.
• Field players should not handle soccer balls with their hands unless wearing gloves.
• At this time, drills requiring a goalkeeper to handle the ball should be avoided.
• Scrimmaging and other drills where physical distancing cannot be adhered to should be avoided.
• Guidance on modified coaching activities (technique in isolation, grid work, ball handling, etc.) can be find on the AYSO Return to Play Microsite.
• Spectators should be limited to one parent/guardian per player.

Kick-Ins:

• Kick-Ins will replace throw-ins for ALL age divisions in Area C.
• A kick-in is awarded to the opponents of the player who last touched the ball when the whole of the ball passes over the touchline, either on the ground or in the air.
• The ball will be placed on the touchline nearest to where it went out of play.
• A goal cannot be scored directly from a kick-in.
• All opposing players must remain 4 yards from the player taking the kick-in.
• The ball is in play when it enters the field of play.
• The player taking the kick-in must not touch the ball again until it has touched another player.
• As with a throw-in, there is no offense if a player receives the ball in an offside position directly from a kick-in.