Personal Protective Equipment on During Coaching

Better Safe, Than Sorry

Youth soccer participants need to have a safety guide in place before returning to play activities. This guide shares responsibilities to be undertaken.

These steps will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 and other infections.

Play On, Play Safe

I have often neglected safety during training sessions prior to COVID-19. Apart from the occasional muscle injuries, that I thought was serious, or allergies, I have not given the detailed attention in all areas.

Safety for players has now increased 10 fold.

In addition to monitoring COVID symptoms, other factors such as heat, humidity summer, depression, anxiety, inactivity compound returning to play.

You can no longer take for granted, and be concerned about your team and winning. Your responsibility extends to the opposition, supporters, and the community.

Preparing To Train

Getting ready for practice has taken on another level of prepartion with greater attention to detail.

Here is a list of protocols that need to be factored during your return to play planning.

  • Coach/Administrator – planning the session
  • Players – preparing for practice
  • Parent-Player-Coach – traveling to & from practice
  • Coach/Administrator – arrival at the practice
  • Players – arrival at the practice
  • Coach – training area
  • Coach & Players – training
  • Parents & Guardians – social distancing
  • Coach, Players & Parents – Physical demands
  • Coaches, Administrator & Parents – Post Practice

Coach/Administrator – Planning the Session

  • Earmark location – only outdoors. If there is rain, best to cancel than to move indoors.
  • Limit number of participants to 9 plus coach.
  • Design layout areas for – training, water breaks, first aid
  • Explain protocols for proper hygiene related to coughing, sneezing, bathroom breaks.

Players – Preparing for Practice

  • Pack adequate water supplies (no sharing)
  • Pack sunscreen and other medical supplies
  • Add face mask to list of items
  • Learn to tie own shoelaces
  • No high fives

Players, Parents, Coaches – Traveling to & from practice

  • Wear face mask from home to field
  • If possible, commute only with people in your normal ‘circle’
  • If parents are late for pick, social distance from players while waiting

Coach – Arrival at Practice

Social Distancing – Water Break
  • Disinfect (spray) surfaces of equipment – balls, cones, goals, shoes, etc
  • Have an organizational plan for the flow of the practice
  • Setup up social distancing during check-in using cones/other markers

Players – Arrival at Practice

  • Social distancing at check-in
  • Check players’ temperature
  • Record attendance & incidents
  • Sanitize players’ equipment

Coach – Training Area

Use of Shade During Heat & Humid Conditions
  • Have players spread out bags/water bottles
  • Earmark areas of shade and utilize when possible (helps player recover)
  • Avoid continuous high-intensity training activities during the hot times of the day.
  • Consider the players’ feedback to understand the demands of the session. If they need a break, give them a break.

Players & Coaches – Training

  • Wear a mask when arriving and leaving the field
  • The coach should wear a mask when coaching. Players do not need to when playing.
  • Practice clean hygiene – coughing, sneezing, bleeding away from others
  • Use your own sanitizing and skin protectant toiletries
  • Interval training of 3 – 5minutes, rest for at least 1 minute

Parents & Guardians – Social Distancing

  • Stay off-field. Ideally remain in the parking lot.
  • Maintain social distancing
  • Ideally, don’t exercise around field while players train.
  • Avoid group a discussion outside the field

Players & Coach – Physical Demands

  • Stretching before and after practice
  • Hydration before and after practice
  • Turf fields are about 12 – 15 degrees hotter than grass

Coaches, Administrator & Parents – Post Practice

  • If necessary, team talk in open spaces, players should spread out
  • Constant communication on updates and changes via text/emails
  • Get feedback from parents/players regarding their physical condition (very important during initial practices)

These are protocols that should be considered to maintain a safe training environment.

Please let me know of others that you deem essential.

References

US Soccer Play On: Overview for coaches (www.ussoccer.com)
Town of Pelham Recreation Soccer Camp
Personal Training Session – Rye Brook (Crawford Field)

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