Youth Sports During COVID-19
As youth sports start back up in some communities, remember these steps to help keep players, coaches and families safer during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Before the sports season starts:
| ☐ | Understand the new safety rules and expectations for participation during COVID-19. |
| ☐ | Each child should have their own cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, towel, water bottle, and tissues labeled with their names. |
| ☐ | All youth athletes should have an up-to-date sports physical before participating. To book your Kids First sports physical call us at 919-250-3478 |
Prior to practice or games:
| ☐ | Athletes should stay home from practice or games if they’re feeling sick or have a fever. |
| ☐ | Wash hands before arriving, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available. |
| ☐ | Bring labeled (with name) personal sports equipment, water bottle, towel, tissues, hand sanitizer, and cloth face covering. |
| ☐ | Stay in the car or assigned school location until the coach is ready to start practice |
| ☐ | Avoid gathering in groups before practice, maintain social distance and wear a cloth face mask. |
During sports practice or games:
| ☐ | Whenever possible, athletes maintain 6-8 feet of physical distance during drills and conditioning. |
| ☐ | When possible and safe, athletes should each wear cloth face covering–especially on the sideline, in dugouts, and during team chats. However, masks should not be worn during:active exercise.water sports.sports where face coverings could get caught on equipment or accidentally cover eyes. |
| ☐ | Avoid these behaviors:Huddles, high-fives, fist bumps, handshakes, etc.Sharing food or drink with teammates.Cheering, chanting, or singing when closer than 6-8 feet from others.Spitting or blowing nose without a tissue. |
| ☐ | Store personal equipment 6-8 feet away from other teammates’ equipment. |
| ☐ | Minimize sharing sports equipment when possible. |
| ☐ | Sanitize hands before and after using shared equipment such as balls, bats, and sticks. |
| ☐ | Tell a coach if you are not feeling well and leave practice or game with a parent or caregiver. |
After sports practice or games:
| ☐ | Sanitize or wash hands. |
| ☐ | Wash cloth face coverings, towel and practices clothes or uniform. |
| ☐ | Clean personal sports equipment and water bottle. |
Remember
Talk with your child’s pediatrician if you have any questions about youth sports participation safety based on COVID-19 in your community and your child’s health.
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics, healthychildren.org