Return to Play Playbook:
We are adopting custom Return To Play guidelines based on the Return to Play Considerations of the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) and the PLAY Sports Coalition. Resource contributions were made by Reigning  Champs, Pop Warner, Triple Play Sports, LeagueApps, Augusta Sportswear Brands and NFL Flag Football. We appreciate all of our football colleagues. 
Beckley Flag Football
Return-to-Play Protocol
COVID-19 Protocol 
(Updated 8/29/20)

Sideline, Bench, and Coaches

1. Players and Coaches from each team will stand on opposite sides of the field.
2. Players and Coaches should bring their own chairs if available to be spaced appropriately  on the sidelines.
3. Only ten (10) players, two (2) coaches per team and referees are able to view the game from the sideline.
4. The “bench area” is the length of the playing field from the sideline to ten (10) yards back on one side for each team. 

Game Eligibility and Protocol

1. Temperature checks will be required by Beckley Flag staff before athletes are allowed to participate. 
2. Players, Coaches, and Officials will hand sanitize before the beginning of each game. 
3. Teams will be escorted on the field by Beckley Flag staff.
4. Teams will wait in their vehicles or designated off-field areas until cued  and escorted by their Coaches to enter the field for warm-up and game play.
5. Players, Coaches, and Officials will not shake hands or do team breaks or high fives. We will find alternative non-contact ways to salute, respect, and acknowledge each other. 
6.  No high fives or physical gestures of celebration are permitted. 
7. Huddles should be limited, spaced, or eliminated. Wrist guards with play cards for number calls  are preferred.  Any huddle should be composed of players maintaining six (6) feet of distance. 

Spectator Guidelines

1. 1.Do not enter the event if you, or anyone you live with, are/is exhibiting any signs of illness including sneezing, coughing, sniffles, fever, or generally don’t/doesn’t  feel well.
2. No spectators should be on the player/coach/field sidelines area. Spectators areas will be designated.
3. Depending on facility and location, the number of spectators per athlete may be limited. Currently the number of spectators per athlete is not limited and we are simply reserving the right to do so. 
4. Spectators follow best practice guidelines for social distancing, maintaining six (6)  feet of distance from other spectators. 
5. Spectators must be thirty (30)  feet (10 yards) from the field of play. 
6. Spectators will be asked to follow federal, state, local, and venue guidelines with regard to face masks. In general, Beckley Flag is not requiring at this time but reserves the right to do so. 
7. If possible, spectators should bring their own seating to the event to better maintain proper distance from other spectators.
8. When possible, bleacher seating will be limited. If bleacher seating must be used, spectators must maintain social distancing guidelines and remain six (6)feet away from other attendees.
9. Concession areas are required to have  six (6) feet between people waiting in line and all tables must be  six (6) feet apart.
10. Bathrooms also should abide by social distancing rules. Maintain social distance guidelines while waiting in lines

Equipment Guidelines

1. Footballs will be wiped down between every series and other regular intervals at the referee’s discretion. 
2. Refrain from sharing equipment in general.
3. Individual Flags should be washed between sessions by players. Excess backup league flags will be washed weekly by Beckley Flag.
4. Flags should be wiped down by players and coaches at halftime.
5. Players and Coaches will be asked to follow federal, state, local, and venue guidelines with regard to face masks. In general, Beckley Flag is not requiring at this time but reserves the right to do so. 
6. Players are discouraged from removing and re-inserting mouthguards while on the field. If a mouthguard falls out, players should not reinsert it until it can be sanitized with clean hands.
7. All players should bring a personal water bottle with their name on it to use during the game. There will be no communal coolers with Gatorade or water at the fields

Referee/Official Guidelines
1.    Players and Coaches will be asked to follow federal, state, local, and venue guidelines with regard to face masks. In general, Beckley Flag is not requiring at this time but reserves the right to do so. 
2.   No signature score or game cards will be required for sign-off by Coaches.


Field and General Guidelines
1.    Only one (1) league game will be played at a time. 
2.   Teams practicing or warming up the same field will utilize designated and separate areas.
3.   Games will be scheduled with twenty (20) minute breaks in between to allow game players  to leave and others to arrive with minimal interactions. 
4.  Teams and spectators are asked to leave as soon as their game is ended.
5.  Schedules will be distributed in advance of all games with buffer times.