MODIFICATIONS TO COMPLY WITH EEA GUIDANCE

(Updated modifications - September 4, 2020)

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

Player Behavior Modification: Coaches should work with players to break habits that will minimize the spread of the virus. Spitting, nose clearing on the field or spitting on gloves during practices and competitions is not permitted.

Coin Toss- As a substitution for the coin toss, the away team shall be provided the choice to kick off or defer to the second half.

In-Game Rule Modification

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

Contact -Intentional body contact with a member of the opposing team member’s body is to be considered a violation of Law 12, Playing in a Dangerous Manner, and will result in an Indirect Free Kick restart or other applicable foul or misconduct based on the referee’s decision. Intentional body contact will include “shoulder to shoulder” contact, backing into a player, and pulling an opponents' shirt, shorts or mask.

o A player is allowed to make intermittent and/or unintentional contact with opposing team members if the player is attempting to make foot to ball contact (legal tackle) and the contact occurs as a result of the tackle.

• Slide Tackling - The use of slide tackling 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. “Going to the ground” to save a ball from going out of touch or to stop a long ground pass is not considered a “tackle” and is permissible as long as no other players are within 6 feet.

RESTARTS

At any time a ball is to be placed for a restart the ball should not be touched with a player or an official’s hands. The ball should be placed where the restart will take place with one’s foot. If hands are used the ball will need to be removed from play and sanitized.

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.

• Throw-Ins as defined by IFAB Law 15 are suspended. When the ball crosses the touchline, the restart will be an Indirect Free Kick (IDFK) from the spot on the touchline where the ball went out of play. All IFAB Law 13 IDFK procedures, offenses, and sanctions, including those for small-sided games (e.g. 8 yards), apply.

• Corner Kicks as defined by IFAB Law 17 are suspended and to be replaced by an Indirect Free Kick (IDFK). Similar to a Corner Kick, the ball must be placed in the corner area nearest to the point where the ball passed over the goal line The restart will be an Indirect Free Kick (IDFK) from the corner area. All IFAB Law 13 IDFK procedures, offenses, and sanctions, including those for small-sided games (e.g. 8 yards), apply.

• 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.

www.mayouthsoccer.org/return-to-soccer-activities/ Updated September 4, 2020