North Perth Outlaws Lacrosse 2021 Return to Play Framework
Due to the current COVID-19 status there are many uncertainties, especially when it comes to undergoing a lacrosse season this summer. We have created a Return to Play Framework to help us outline COVID-19 restrictions based on the colour zones, this will allow all players, coaches, and executive members to better navigate where/what we can proceed with this season, as well as how to proceed during the season, if we are able to have one.
It is the hope that with this framework in place, that we can be prepared and able to provide successful reactive programming to our members that will ensure the success and longevity of our association.
** For further reading please refer to OLA RTA: Modifications for League Play
https://ontariolacrosse.com/administration/covid-19
It is the hope that with this framework in place, that we can be prepared and able to provide successful reactive programming to our members that will ensure the success and longevity of our association.
The priority of North Perth Outlaws Lacrosse will be the safety of all participants. Coaches will be advised to group players by age and skill level during skills sessions and practices.
******face masks are to be worn at all times except during play by players******
Responsibilities
Below are the distilled responsibilities based on the limits required and listed above from the Ontario Ministry of Health.
● Physical distance
● Face coverings
● Patron screening
● Guaranteeing patron time limits
● Capacity limits are retained
● League limits are retained
● Recording Contact Information
● Maintaining the safety plan
Roles
Each person during return to play will fill a role,
●
Facility Provider - the provider of the facility, most often for the North Perth Outlaws Lacrosse Association, it is the Townships of North Perth and North Huron. However, private facilities have been used in the past.
●
NPLA Executive - voting and appointed members of the executive who are volunteering their time to provide lacrosse programmin
g.
● Trainer/Health & Safety Manager - a new position for each team, resulting from COVID-19, this person’s role is to specifically monitor and ensure the protocols are maintained during return to play.
●
Participants - anyone at a Return to Play event that is participating in the event. This includes the players, coaches, officials, etc that are not engaged in an above role.
●
Patrons - anyone that is at a Return to Play event that is not engaged in an above role.
North Perth Outlaws Modified Playing Rules 2021
**NOTE: The North Perth Outlaws will follow all public health measures and OLA guidelines. The following rules were derived directly from the OLA Return To Activity documents.**
Aside from these rule modifications, all CLA/OLA playing rules are in effect. Where a situation occurs in any scrimmage or game that is not covered by these rule modifications, the official's decision is final and is guided by the principle of "erring on the side of caution in the interest of participant safety." Situations that affect game play should be reported to the appropriate league representative for inclusion in updated versions of this document. Where these RTA protocols are not followed, officials and/or league personnel have the authority to suspend game play and file a report with OLA VP Minor Tanya Thompson.
*** Officials have full control over the game ***
Game Play:
Games are no longer than 40 minutes (two 20-min halves, 3-min half time, teams do not change ends, no overtime in league play)
Stop time is the last 30-seconds of each half(when score is 5 goals or less)
Games are played 3 on 3, 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 dependent on roster size
There is no crease diving by attacking player in any division(penalty shot for interference if any contact is made)
Nets are appropriate to the age division.
Face-Offs:
The visiting team is awarded possession to begin the game
The home team is awarded possession to begin the second half
In all other instances where a face-off may result(player injury, etc.), the team who had the ball last retains possession, unless the injury is sustained by a goalie, in which case the goalie is awarded possession
Post-Goal Restarts:
After a goal is scored, the opposing team is awarded a "free clear" to the face-off dot
Players may not be within 3m (9ft) of the player who is awarded possession at centre, but may be positioned anywhere on the floor
The official does not touch the ball with their hands (the home team is responsible for ensuring additional balls are ready when needed)
Play begins on the official's whistle
Substitutions:
Occur dynamically during game play, unless a buzzer system is used to regulate line changes
Teams should designate entry and exit doors on the bench to maintain consistent pathways for players
Loose-Ball Situations:
Players contesting a loose ball are awarded possession by the "first to reach/quick whistle" rule
The official nearest the ball will stop play and call out the jersey colour of the player closest to the ball when play is stopped
The closest player will pick up the ball and their opponent(s) must fall back at least 3m (9ft), and the official will quick whistle to restart play
Players who do not fall back at least 3 m on a "loose ball/quick whistle" are penalized by a Delay-of-Game penalty
Penalties:
No body-to-body contact or stick-to-body contact at all during play, including setting picks
Gloves/hands are not part of a players stick
Stick to stick contact is allowed when it is intended to block a shot or dislodge the ball
Off-ball stick-checking is not allowed (checking a non-ball carriers stick is considered minor interference)
First infraction: penalty shot
Second infraction, same player: expulsion
stick-to-stick contact is allowed
For double-minor CFB penalties, 2 penalty shots will be awarded, but the player is not expelled if it is their first infraction
For major, misconduct, gross misconduct or match penalties, the player will be expelled immediately, and 2 penalty shots will be awarded
A note on rule modifications:
In order for scrimmages or games to be played, the Province of Ontario mandates modifications to all sports where "contact is inherent to play." As a result, these rule modifications are mandatory for any sanctioned club playing within their own association or in a cohort league with a neighbouring community. While these modifications will be an adjustment to the way we approach lacrosse, they are rooted in a safety-first approach. In all cases, clubs are advised to ease into activity with a focus on participant safety prior to introducing scrimmages or game play.
**Please note these rule modifications may be revised or added to, in accordance with public health measures and OLA guidelines.
Updated: April 5, 2021
For game play, lines are to be formed and players of similar age and skill level will compete against each other. A buzzer system for line changes may be used to ensure this occurs during games. Each team will consist of two lines. Game play will be 3 on 3, 4 on 4, or 5 on 5, and be determined once registration is final and cohorts are formed. Following these guidelines will also allow for maximum player development.
Forming COHORTS
A 50-player cohort is a closed bubble of no more than 50 players who agree to limit their participation to a single group of players at a time. A 50 player cohort may form a mini-league and play simultaneously alongside other 50 player cohorts within the same region, but these leagues cannot cross. Players within a cohort do not need to maintain physical distance in the during dynamic play, however any games must be played with modified rules that exclude body-to-body and stick-to-body contact in order to comply with provincial restrictions.
The creation of 50 player cohorts decreases the opportunity for exposure to COVID-19 virus. If a participant contracts COVID-19 virus the number of people the virus can potentially spread to is lower because of the limited exposure to other people. Contact tracing within the cohort will also become easier. The cohort lists will be managed by the association.
Coaches, officials, separators and facility staff do not contribute to the 50-player cohort limit, but these individuals may be limited by public health restrictions and/or municipal facility rules.
Team sizes will be 10 players
Cohorts will be formed prior to the start of the North Perth Outlaws lacrosse season, based on age and registration numbers.
Cohorts will not change over the course of the season, which will eliminate the need for 2-week isolation breaks.
All participation will be within the Huron-Perth health region.
Based on pre registration and early registration numbers, it is anticipated that cohorts will be formed as follows:
Cohort 1 - U22/U17
Cohort 2 - U15/U13
Cohort 3 - U11/U9
Cohort 4 - Paperweight
Easing Participants Back to Activity
A staged reintroduction of sport will be used as per OLA RTA, which will ease participants back to Activity.
Guidance varies based on the age and physical health of each individual, but as a general rule, it is advised that players and officials participate in at least 4 weeks of practice, training and conditioning before returning to modified games (Stage 4) to minimize the risk of injury.
Stage 1 - At Home Individual Training
Description: Players should practice lacrosse-specific skills at home with individual drills that can be done in the backyard or driveway. Training sessions during this period should focus on skill concepts: wall ball, ground balls, shooting on an empty net.
Goal: Begin preparing for team participation with simple conditioning, core work and body movement. Stretching, small movements and short sessions are critical.
Stage 2 - Small Group Modified Activities
Description: Players should build on lacrosse-specific skills in settings of between 2 and 10 people. Training sessions during this period should introduce basic athletic movement while ensuring physical distance: cardiovascular conditioning and basic lacrosse fitness.
Goal: Improve hand-eye coordination, footwork and shooting skills, as well as cardiovascular and lacrosse fitness in a small, consistent group format.
Stage 3 - Medium Group Modified Activities
Description: Players should continue lacrosse-specific skills in settings of between 10 and 50 people. Training sessions during this period should build on physical movement concepts while physically distanced: cardiovascular conditioning and lacrosse fitness.
Goal: Continue developing appropriate fitness levels, increasing intensity and competitiveness in drills, including game-specific drills.
Stage 4 - Medium Group Modified Games
Description: Players are introduced to modified game play in consistent cohorts of between 10 and 50 people. Rules must be modified to avoid body contact, and game lengths should be reduced in early stages to allow players to rebuild strength and lacrosse IQ.
Goal: Create a competitive environment with local players to enhance skills while protecting athletes through physical distancing and modified games that avoid body contact.
**Revisions or additions will be made in accordance with OLA guidelines, local health unit recommendations, and provincial health measures
Updated May 24, 2021
**These plans are subject to change based on regulations as they arise as well we are collecting rules and regulations of each arena to make sure we are abiding by them as well. As well as declarations from each participant.
COVID-19 Symptoms and Diagnosis
Where a participant is unable to attend a session because of COVID-19 symptoms, receives a positive COVID-19 diagnosis from a physician, or is directly exposed to someone who has been positively diagnosed as having COVID-19, it is the responsibility of the team to ensure that the participant does not attend future sessions until medical clearance been provided to the club’s communications officer. A physician’s note (if the participant tests positive) or a negative COVID-19 test result (if the participant tests negative) to indicate that the participant is not (or no longer) contagious is required to return to play. It is important to remember that public health authority guidelines and physician’s advice must be followed in any situation whenever a participant is sick. In all situations involving the personal medical information of a participant, the OLA’s Privacy Policy and Confidentiality Policy are in effect.
Missed Session For COVID-19 Symptoms:
STEP 1 - Player advises the team they are missing a session due to COVID-19 symptoms
STEP 2- Coach advises the club’s communications officer only (OLA Privacy Policy in effect)
-Player is advised to contact a physician and the regional public health agency
STEP 3 - A physician’s note must be provided to the coach prior to further activity
-The coach provides the physician’s note to the club’s communications officer
Participant Becomes Ill During Session:
STEP 1- Player advises a team staff representative immediately if feeling ill.
STEP 2- Participant receives a non-medical mask
-Anyone caring for the participant is provided with a non-medical mask and gloves
STEP 3- Player is isolated to an area away from other participants and personal stations
-Parents are advised to take the player home, or if necessary, for medical attention
STEP 4- Player contacts a physician and, if necessary, the local public health agency
-Coach reports the situation to the club’s communication officer
STEP 5- A physician’s note must be provided to the coach prior to further activity
-The coach provides the physician’s note to the club’s communications officer
Participant Discloses Positive Covid-19 Test Result:
STEP 1- Player discloses a COVID-19 diagnosis to the club
STEP 2- Coach advises the club’s communications officer only (OLA Privacy Policy in effect)
-Communications officer advises the Regional Public Health Agency
-Club cooperates with the Regional Public Health Agency to provide contract tracing
STEP 3- A physician’s note must be provided to the coach prior to further activity
-The coach provides the physician’s note to the club’s communications officer
Session_participation_tracking_(1).pdf
COVID-19_school_and_child_care_screening_ENG_AODA_(5).pdf