Yes, Coronavirus sucks, but that doesn’t mean you cannot play soccer and do so safely. There are some simple precautions you can make and still play a soccer game. These precautions, while not making the game more enjoyable, will make the game safer. Also these are simple, somewhat obvious adjustments that will make soccer an enjoyable game that you can have fun with in the age of COVID. They are:
1) Everybody wears a mask. This seems obvious and will probably be mandated by law. Basically it’s spread by respiratory droplets and the mask is the best way to prevent this.
2) Heading the ball is a penalty. Honestly with the risk of concussions it should probably be illegal already. But let’s face it, the last thing you want is a boy or girl putting there head on a ball that has come in contact with everyone in the game. This seems obvious but is a really good idea to protect players. In fact I think in order to get it through, an intentional head ball should be a penalty shot for the other team.
3) One parent per player- Again if this is a 20 game season this shouldn’t be a big deal. But allowing spectators to spread out on the sidelines will allow proper social distancing. By allowing one parent to player this should accomplish that. There might be resistance and extraneous situations. Basically, say if for some reason that both parents have to go, then have it be cleared by the coach. Additionally, it would be ideal to ban siblings again unless explicit permission from the coach. The less people on the sidelines the lower the risk of the Coronavirus spreading at a high school soccer game.
4) Move the bench for the players further back than normal 6 feet and have them spread out on the sidelines. Ideally if you have lawn chairs have the players sit in those lawn chairs individually.
5) No High Fives or handshakes afterwards. This should probably be obvious. Allow the players to think of some other gesture that can be used to say good game.