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Football Safe Return to Play Guidelines

North Allegheny Football Club

P.O. Box 87, Ingomar, PA 15127

 

 

The following plan for a safe return to play for Tiger Pride football has been created by utilizing resources and guidelines provided, and/or endorsed by, UPMC, USA Football, Pop Warner Football, the CDC, and the National Council of Youth Sports. 

  • Leadership
    • COVID-19 Committee
      • A committee has been created within the Tiger Pride leadership board designed to handle all matters related to COVID-19.  This committee will meet regularly and make all proper changes and adjustments necessary to ensure the safety of all Tiger Pride athletes and families. 
      • The first task of this committee is to generate the guidelines below for a safe return to play.
      • Members of this Committee
        • Lauren Coll
        • Bruce Barnes (Cheerleading)
        • Christopher McConnell (Football)
        • Matt Schmitt
  • Signage
    • Signs will be included around the practice/game field warning of risks of COVID-19
      • In front of restrooms – washing hands/cleanliness
      • CDC prints signs
      • Broadcast announcement – create to be read before every game
    • Example Signage: 
      • Do not enter if you are exhibiting any signs of illness such as sneezing, coughing, sniffles, have a fever, or don't feel well - Entrances
      • All players, staff, and spectators should practice responsible social distancing by remaining at least 6 ft apart whenever possible – Pavilion and Bleachers
      • All players, staff, and spectators should wear cloth face coverings whenever applicable – Around Field and On Fence
      • Wash your hands and/or use hand sanitizer upon entrance, during the event, before and after you eat, and as you leave. Hand washing and hand sanitizer stations are provided – Concession and Bathrooms
      • Avoid touching your face including your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Practices for Football
    • Viewership
      • Parents/spectators should practice social distancing and be aware of signage at practices
    • On-Field
      • More skill specific drills – limiting one v. one competition
      • Small group cohorts and skill stations to limit the number of kids working together at one time
      • Coaches utilize bags and equipment as opposed to one v. one contact
        • wipe down bags/equipment between drills
      • Team learning time is divided into groups of no more than 30 athletes per “team”
        • Varsity Team (no more than 30 athletes)
        • JV Team (No more than 30 athletes)
  • Practices for Cheerleaders
    • Viewership
      • Parents/spectators should practice social distancing and be aware of signage at practices
    • On-Field
      • Skill specific – limiting stunts and personal contact as much as possible
      • Small squad and skill stations to limit the number of kids working together at one time
      • Cheerleaders will utilize and handle their own cheer equipment with a special focus on water bottles and pom-poms.  All cheerleaders will have their own large, clearly labeled with name, water bottles and pom-poms that will be with each cheerleader at all times or stored in their personal cheer bags
  • Concessions
    • Concession stands or other food sales/services must adhere to the “Guidance for Businesses in the Restaurant Industry”
  • Games
    • Game Day Procedures for Football
      • There will be a 15 minute buffer period added before each game
      • Bleachers, benches, and all other seating areas will be sanitized between each game
      • Player drop-off/arrival
        • Players will be dropped off at the lower practice fields for warmups
        • Parents will be notified to wait in their cars or at the pavilion area prior to the start of their games
        • Players will then be escorted by their coaches to the field when notified by site management
    • Game Day Procedures for Cheerleaders
      • There will be a 15 minute buffer period added before each game
      • Bleachers, benches, and all other seating areas will be sanitized between each game
      • Cheerleader drop-off/arrival
        • Cheerleaders will be dropped off at the Upper Game Field for warmups
        • Parents will be notified to wait in their cars or at the pavilion area prior to the start of their games
        • Cheerleaders will then be escorted by their coaches to the field when notified by site management
    • Officials
      • Officials can wear mask or protective equipment at their own discretion. 
    • Viewership
      • Parents/spectators should practice social distancing and be aware of signage at games
      • Parents/spectators must remain behind designated viewership area
    • Sidelines
      • Coaches will encourage social distancing on the sidelines
      • Coaches are encouraged to call plays from the sidelines in order to avoid extended huddle time
      • When designated team ball is not in play, it should be wiped down by a designated coach no personal contact/congratulatory measures taken during the game.  In addition, no shaking of hands post game
    • There will be
  • Promoting Behaviors that Reduce Spread
    • Staying Home when Appropriate
      • The organization will educate staff and player families about when they should stay home and when they can return to activity
      • The organization will actively encourage sick coaches, families, and players to stay home. Coaches should develop policies that encourage sick athletes to stay at home without fear of reprisal, and ensure players and families are aware of these policies.
      • Families are responsible for taking their child’s temperature prior to attending a team event, practice or game.  If the player has a fever of 99.5 or higher, they should stay home.  They should notify the organization per the signed waiver. 
      • Individuals, including coaches, players and families should stay at home if they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are showing symptoms of COVID-19.  They should notify the organization per the signed waiver.
      • Individuals, including coaches, players and families should stay at home if they have come in contact with someone who has test positive for COVID-19 and monitor their health situation.  They should notify the organization per the signed waiver. 
    • Hygiene and Respiratory Etiquette
      • All players and coaches are required to bring their own drinks (no shared food or beverages of any kind)
      • Spitting is prohibited
      • Hand sanitizer dispensers will be placed on each practice field and on the sidelines during game days
        • Also by the concession stand and picnic table pavilion during game days
      • Each athlete must have a one piece mouthpiece that can be attached to the helmet to limit the loss and risk of mouth protection coming into contact with another
    • Face Coverings
      • All coaches are required to have a face covering on them at all times and they should be worn when coming into close contact with the athlete(s)
      • Face coverings for athletes, due to safety concerns, will not be worn on the field of play, but may be worn off field as deemed necessary by a medical professional or guardian. 
      • Athletes are encouraged to purchase an active-wear face covering that can be worn around the neck and pulled up over the face during times of necessity
        • These are for purchase via the Tiger Pride website
      • Parents, families, and spectators are STRONGLY encouraged to wear a face cover
         

*Policies pertaining to gathering numbers, social distancing and face covering are subject to change to adhere to local and state regulations at any given time