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Kids in the Game Return to Sports Guidelines

We want to ensure that our youth sports programming returns safely and under the guidance of state and local guidelines.  That’s why we’ve created these return to play considerations.  These guidelines are intended to help parents and players understand the adjustments in our programs this summer so we can make our sports comeback strong, safe and successful. All families who intend to have their children participate in our sports programming will have to sign an additional waiver specifically releasing Kids in the Game of any liability in the event that your child contracts COVID-19. Below are some of the resources we used to create our guidelines. Our policies will continue to evolve as policies and guidelines are amended. We will continue to communicate these out to you as we receive them.

The 6 youth sports considerations for a safe return to play:

  1. The type of play and dynamics of your sport
    1. Soccer & Basketball
  2. The Phase of COVID-19 locally
  3. Explicit approval from state & local government
  4. The ability to secure a place to play
    1. NYC Parks
  5. Our readiness to reasonably operate in a way that aligns with CDC ‘Return to Play’ Considerations
  6. Clearly understanding risks and taking measures to ensure they are minimized

Programming Adjustments

Parent Expectations

  • We ask families to designate one person to consistently drop off their child, when possible, to reduce the number of unique individuals at programming. 
  • Parents are expected to stay out of the playing area and maintain appropriate social distancing from their child and other parents after drop off.
  • Indoor vs. Outdoor Programming
    • If we are indoors, parents will drop off their child at the door and have to remain outside for the duration of the workout.
    • If we are outdoors, parents will drop off their child at the entrance to the park/court and remain a safe distance away from the children and other parents

Child Expectations

  • Health Screening / Temperature Check 
    • Participants will be asked to complete a health screening questionnaire before each session to confirm the absence of COVID-19 symptoms as well their lack of interaction with someone who has tested positive for the virus within the previous 14 days. 
    • Before each session, we will be taking your child’s temperature with infrared, touch free thermometers, as part of their health screening, before they are allowed to participate in programming. 
    • Children with a temperature recorded at or above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be admitted to participate and encouraged to consult with their health professional. 
    • We’re happy to check your temperature too, but it is not required.
    • Note that all Kids in the Game staff will be following the same screening process as well. 

PPE Expectations

  • All Kids in the Game staff at the program will be required to wear face coverings during the session. 
  • Once in an open air space, face coverings will be encouraged where adequate 6ft physical distancing cannot be maintained.
  • For activities that require higher levels of respiratory output participants will maintain >6ft distancing so that face coverings are not required and adequate breathing can be maintained

Coaches, staff and athletes must show no signs or symptoms of COVID-19 in the past 14 days.*

  1. Ratio
    1. High School 1:10
    2. Middle School 1:8
    3. Elementary School 1:6
  2. Social Distancing
    1. We will only be focusing on specific skill development that does not engage partners or group participation, maintaining >6ft apart.
    2. For activities that require higher levels of respiratory output participants will maintain >6ft distancing so that face coverings are not required and adequate breathing can be maintained.
  3. Equipment
    1. Players will be required to bring their own basketball and will not be permitted to share or use any other coaches or players equipment.
    2. We will provide cones and other equipment that will be handled only by the coach.
    3. Players will have to bring their own water bottle and will not be permitted to share a players or coaches bottle.
  4. Session Transitions 
    1. Separate sessions will be scheduled with at least 10 minutes between each to accommodate transitions and avoid overlapping time of groups. 
    2. We ask that you arrive promptly for the start time and not too early or late to support these transition windows.
  1. Ratio
    1. Elementary School 1:6
  2. Social Distancing
    1. We will only be focusing on specific skill development that does not engage partners or group participation.
    2. Each player will have their own designated space that will be at least 6ft away from the other player’s space.
    3. Prior to the start of the session, the coaches will divide up the space and clearly outline the practice areas for each player.  
  3. Equipment
    1. Players will have to bring their own soccer ball and will not be permitted to share or use any other coaches or players equipment.
    2. Players will have to bring their own water bottle and will not be permitted to share a players or coaches bottle.
  4. Session Transitions 
    1. Separate sessions will be scheduled with at least 10 minutes between each to accommodate transitions and avoid overlapping time of groups. 
    2. We ask that you arrive promptly for the start time and not too early or late to support these transition windows.

Let’s Play.

For more information, email paul@kidsinthegame.com.

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