Return to Play Guidelines

Dorchester United Soccer Club will follow all recommendations from the South Carolina Youth Soccer Association as follows:

DUSC is dedicated to protecting the health and safety of all people. The purpose of this document is to provide our members, coaches, players and their families with information they can use to assist them with developing their return to training programs in the context of COVID-19. As a guideline meant to be used by athletes and individuals with vastly different resources, this document cannot be prescriptive; rather, it should spark thoughtful deliberation among athletes, coaches and staff, who will use this information to create their own unique return to training plan that is specific to their situation.

The knowledge and circumstances around COVID-19 are changing constantly and, as such, US Youth SoccerSCYSA, and DUSC makes no representation and assumes no responsibility for the completeness of this information. Further, you should seek advice from medical professionals and/or public health officials if you have specific questions about your return to training.

Club members, players, parents and the youth soccer community at-large seeking information on general play should adhere to social gathering and distancing policies, guidelines, recommendations and mandates of state and local health and government officials, and your facility. Be prepared to adhere to six-foot social distancing measures, as defined by the CDC. In addition, the following online resources are available including, WHO Coronavirus Website, and the CDC Coronavirus Website. The International Olympic Committee has also developed specific advice for athletes, including a statement from the IOC Medical and Scientific Director, Dr. Richard Budgett. We encourage you to follow the travel, prevention, testing, and treatment recommendations of the CDC. For the latest updates and resources on the coronavirus, go to the CDC Situation Summary.

Club Responsibilities

• All return to play activities including evaluations are voluntary. DUSC is prepared to accommodate any player unavailable for group evaluations and can schedule evaluations at a later date as needed.
• Club personnel will not be involved in any manner with any soccer activity if either they or any member of their household has had an onset of illness with symptoms consistent with, suspected or confirmed to be COVID-19 within the previous 14 days.

• All registration personnel will wear facemasks. Coaches will wear them before and immediately after each session.
• DUSC will provide hand sanitizer at registration and in the players bench area.
• DUSC will provide a pick-up and drop-off area for players to minimize social contact between players and members of different families.
• DUSC will practice social distancing for each player at or around the bench area that are at least 6 feet apart in which players must keep all of their belongings. They shall be advised to return to their “station” only during breaks.  

Coach Responsibilities

• Before any and all activity all coaches will have their temperature checked with an infrared thermometer and each individual must be asked and answer these questions

• Have you been in contact with a person with COVID 19?
• Have you had a cough, fever, or loss of taste or smell?

• If anyone answers YES to any of these questions, they shall not be permitted to participate.
• For evaluations there will be 1 coach working with only 1 group for the duration of that session.
• DUSC will only work out each player for 60 minutes during evaluations.
• There will be no training bibs or pinnies used during evaluations.
• Any physical contact between players will be kept to an absolute minimum.

Player Responsibilities

• Players recommended to wear masks prior to and immediately after training/evaluations.
• Players recommended to strictly observe social distancing when not in play (6-10ft).
• Players recommended to only go to their “station” when not engaged in play.
• Players recommended to wash or sanitize their hands prior to and immediately after training
• Players recommended to wash their clothes and bath immediately up returning home.
• Players recommended to NOT share drinks, food, equipment or clothing at any time.
• Physical contact outside of play (e.g. high 5s, hugs, etc.) should be avoided at all times.
• If player is diagnosed with Covid -19 or resides with someone diagnosed with Covid-19 then the player is required to quarantine for 14 days.
• Player diagnosed with or living with a person diagnosed with Covid 19 is recommended to share that information with the coach so contact tracing may be used to limit possible exposure.

Parent Responsibilities

• Avoid carpooling. Only members of the same family should be in a vehicle together

• Parents should have hand sanitizer available for their children before and after each session.
• Parent shall remain in their cars during all activities. They may not congregate at or around the field. If they leave their car for any reason (e.g. to use a restroom) they must wear a facemask/covering and observe social distancing.
• If parents feel the need to communicate with a coach then it is recommended via telecommunications or email.