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.