Updated to reflect Return to Play & COVID changes
Latest update:  4/12/2021


​Game Day Processes 4/12/21
MSYSA RTP Phased Activities Chart 3/26/21
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Game Day Procedures

Forms to print:
Prior to the start of the game the coach, assistant coach  or manager shall print the Whisper Weekend Ratings form and the Game Day Report Sheet .   This game day sheet will list all eligible players for both teams at the time it was printed.  This is why it is recommended you do this the day of the game.  The game day sheets are found with your schedule in the GotSoccer Team Account.  

Print:  Whisper Weekend Ratings Form

​Instructions for printing Game Day Sheet are below.  Remember:  
  1. You should cross out the name(s) of any coach/manager or player who will not be at the game.
  2. If using PASS players (*maximum of 5 per game) you should legibly write their names  below your roster list.  You will also need to inform both the officials and opposing team coach prior to the start of the game.

*for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021, WMYSA has temporarily increased the allowed pass players from 3 to 5.  Elite teams are still limited to a maximum of 3.

 Introduction to Game Day Processes



 
Individual Responsibility
A.     Players
  • Wear face covering while at game facility (before, during, and after games while around others)
  • Stay home if not feeling well or displaying symptoms of COVID
  • Take temperature prior to leaving for the game. Stay home if temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher.
  • Arrive at field fully dressed (uniforms, shoes, shinguards, etc.)
  • Maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone whenever possible
  • Bring sufficient hand sanitizer to game for repeated use
  • Bring a sanitized ball to each game for warm-ups
  • Do not share food, water, and equipment (including shared goalie gloves)
  • No group huddles, cheers, high fives, chest bumps, etc.
 
B.     Referees
  • Wear face covering at game facility before and after games.
  • Use only your own equipment – do not share flags, whistles, uniforms, pens, etc. If flags are not owned by all, referees may share flags, but they must be sanitized before and after use. TIP: Bring all equipment and all uniform colors to each game.
  • Note: The role of referee is not to enforce these game day safety protocols. However, referees should note and report instances of non-compliance to the league administrator.
 
C.     Spectators - Limit of 2 per player
  • Wear face coverings while at game facility
  • Take temperature prior to leaving for the game. Stay home if temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher.
  • Sit only in the area(s) designated for spectators. Do not encroach on space designated for referees or teams.
  • Maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone not residing within same residence
  • Do not go to the opponent’s side of the field
  • Some programs/leagues/events may limit or prohibit spectators – be understanding and adhere to all program/league/event policies
  • Some facilities may eliminate restrooms – be prepared for this possibility
 
 
 Protocols
A.  Players
  • Assessment/treatment of an injured player should not be delayed if game day protocols cannot be followed (i.e. do not delay attending to injured athlete because social distance cannot be maintained)
  • Upon the referee signal, one coach (wearing a facial covering) enters the field to attend to an injured player
  • Coach maintains 6 feet of physical distance as possible if/until it is determined if player needs assistance getting off the field
  • If an injured player needs assistance getting off the field and a second person is needed, the coach first asks the player's parent(s). Player’s parents must be wearing a face covering. If a player's parent is not on-site, the coach signals to another team member who must also wear a face covering.
  • As soon as possible upon exiting the field, the injured player, coach, and additional person providing assistance must clean their hands with sanitizer.
 
B.   Spectators at the Games
  • For State Cup, Michigan State Premier Soccer Program, and Director’s Academy, spectators shall be limited to 2 persons per player.
  • Spectators must wear face coverings while at game facility
  • Spectators must sit only in area designated for them
  • Spectators must maintain minimum of 6 feet of physical distance from everyone not residing within their same residence


C. Referee Payment (MSYSA Recommendations)
  • If possible, MSYSA recommends to programs/leagues/events to pay referee electronically instead of cash on the field
  • However, when paying cash at the field is the only option, the team(s) responsible for referee payment should prepare payment at home in advance of the game.
  • Wash hands with soap and water. While wearing a face covering, sort cash by referee position (Center, AR1, AR2, 4th) as applicable. Place cash payment for each referee position into their own separate clear Ziploc bag. Write the referee position name, cash amount, and team name on the bag (example: Center Referee, $40, MSYSA United 09 Girls).
  • At the field and when ready to pay referees, team coach or manager should clean hands with hand sanitizer and sanitize the Ziploc bags with sanitizing wipes. While wearing face covering, distribute Ziploc bags of cash to each referee individually. Maintain 6 feet of physical distance as much as possible. After distribution of Ziploc bags, clean hands again with hand sanitizer.
  • While collecting payment, referees must wear face covering and maintain 6 feet of physical distance as much as possible. Before and after meeting with team officials to collect payment, referees should clean hands with sanitizer.
  • Upon receipt of Ziploc bags, referees may choose to open bags in full view of team officials to ensure full payment while simultaneously maintaining 6 feet of physical distance from everybody.
 
D.     Pre-Game Check-In & Post-Game Processes (MSYSA Recommendations)
  • If possible, MSYSA recommends that physical pass cards not be used at games. If required for competition, a team official makes a legible copy of pass cards (at home) to be distributed to and be retained by the referee(s) on game day.
  • If possible, MSYSA recommends plans are made to provide game reports directly to referees possibly via email or direct download (instead of having teams provide them to referees).
  • Prior to team check-in, all participants clean hands with their personal sanitizer
  • Envelope should be given to the center referee along with payment.
  • At team check-in, all participants (players, team officials, referees) must wear face coverings.
  • At team check-in, players must have 6 feet of physical distance between them.
  • At team check-in and if competition dictates the use of pass cards, team officials (wearing face coverings and with recently sanitized hands) distribute game reports (if referees do not already have) and photocopies of any/all applicable pass cards to referees. These are to be retained by the referees and not be given back to team officials.
  • At team check-in and if applicable, team officials (wearing face coverings and with recently sanitized hands) distribute game reports to referees. MSYSA recommends these be retained by the referees (for direct submission to league/event organizer) and not be given back to team officials.
  • Referees (wearing face coverings and with recently sanitized hands) check-in individual players.
  • Referees will not conduct a coin toss or captain’s meeting. ‘Home team’ is considered the ‘winner’ of the non-existent coin toss and therefore select their first-half option.
  • No pre-game walkout of any kind (example: World Cup walkout)
 
E.     The Game
  • MSYSA recommends each team bring multiple sanitized balls for use during the game only. Sanitized balls are rotated in regularly. One team official from each team should sanitize their own teams’ balls at halftime and after the game
  • Spectators should not handle a ball which leaves the field of play.
  • MSYSA does not recommend the use of ball runners
 
F.     The Uniform
  • Players must wear a facial covering during games and may wear gloves.
  • Referees may wear a facial covering and/or gloves during games.
 
G.     Substitutions
  • Upon entering and exiting the field as a substitute, players clean hands with sanitizer.
  • A player exiting a game via substitution goes directly to their team bench. No high-fives or exchanging of pinnies with player entering the game.
  • The player entering the field via substitution puts pinnie in their own bag before waiting to substitute onto the field.
  • The player exiting the field via substitution may put on their own pinnie from their own bag. The player must also clean hands with sanitizer and put on a facial covering.
 
H.    Deliberate Coughing and Spitting
  • Deliberate coughing at or spitting at an opponent, referee, or any other participant will result in an immediate red card. Suspension length is determined by competition.
  • Spectators are held to the same standard and referees have the same authority to enforce as they do with all other spectator-related issues.
 
I.    Team Benches
  • MSYSA recommends facilities and teams NOT provide nor use team benches.
  • If team benches are used, players must still maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
  • If team benches are used, the home team/club is responsible for sanitizing the team benches before and after every game.
 J.   Facilities & Field Set-Up
  • When possible, teams will be placed on opposite sides of the field, on the half of the field of which the assistant referee is positioned (see below diagram).
  • When possible, a team’s accompanying spectators will sit on the same side of the field as the team but on the other half (see below diagram).
  • MSYSA strongly recommends that team bench/technical areas and spectator areas are marked with paint.
  • Spectators to be minimum of 10 feet back from the touchline, when possible.
  • Team technical areas will be between the bottom of the center circle and the top of the penalty area (see below diagram).
Once you arrive at the game you should:
  1. Inspect the goals to ensure they are properly anchored.
  2. Provide the official with the Whisper Weekend Ratings form and the Game Day Report sheet.
  3. If you are the home team, provide the official with the WMYSA addressed envelope and proper referee payment as outlined in our rules and regulations. 
  4. If utilizing Pass players be sure to inform both the officials and opposing coach.
  5. If no officials are at the game at the start time contact WMYSA at 269-389-9517

​In situations where no officials show up for the game you have two options.
  1. Agree to play game as official match. To do this you will need to find someone to officiate you both agree upon.  Both coaches should then indicate they agree to count it as a league match by signing on the back of the game day sheet as agreeing to the official status.   Home team should mail forms in the envelope supplied.  
  2. Do not play  and agree on a reschedule date before leaving.  The home team should email new game information to WMYSA Scheduler.  Please note:  due to COVID, a change more than likely will not result in finding referees for a new date/time.  
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Instructions for Printing Game Day Sheet

  1. Go to www.GotSoccer.com
  2. At the top right is a login button which then opens to a screen with multiple account type logins.
  3. Click on Team Login (Left side)
  4. Enter TEAM account user ID and password in the login screen
  5. Once into the account locate the and click on the Event name.  Example 2020 Fall Schedule WMYSA.
  6. Click on the schedule tab in the middle
  7. Click on the "Game Number" to the left of the listed game.  The game sheet will download in pdf format.
  8. Print the game sheet.
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Instructions For Entering game Scores by Home team

Via Smart Phone or Computer:
  1. Go to www.GotSoccer.com
  2. Click on the Scoring link
  3. Enter the Event ID# and pin # provided in your Team Packet and click "Go".   The Event Id # and PIN are on the Game Sheet.
  4. Enter the game # and click on "Go"
  5. Click on Home Team box and enter the score.  Click on the Away Team box and enter the score.
  6. Press Save
Via Regular Telephone:
  1. Dial:  904 758-0875
  2. Press 1 to update records
  3. Enter the event ID# followed by # and then pin # followed by # provided in your Team Packet and click "Go".   The Event Id # and PIN are on the Game Sheet.
  4. Enter the game # followed by the # key.
  5. Press 1 to enter scores.  Enter Home team score followed by the #, enter the away team score followed by #
  6. To save press 1, to cancel press 2.