VYI LACROSSE RULES OF PLAY FOR THE 2021 SPRING SEASON
(NOTE: Guidance is subject to change; VYI will follow all pertinent guidance issued by CDC, FCPS, NCS, VHSL)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/youth-sports.html
https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus/forwardvirginia/
VYI Lacrosse is committed to giving the children of Vienna an opportunity to get on the field of play this spring. While we are excited about having a season, our foremost concern is the safety of our players, coaches, officials and families. To that extent we will put the following rules in place understanding we are following the guidelines of the CDC and the Governor’s orders for both practice and competition.
Update as of 5/21/21: From Karen Avvisato, Division Manager of Athletic Services and Community Use:
Governor Ralph Northam has lifted Virginia’s universal indoor mask mandate to align with new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While masks are still required in K-12 school settings, masks are not required outdoors. Masks are recommended for unvaccinated individuals.
The updates to Virginia’s mask policy are reflected in amendments to Executive Order Seventy-Two and details can be viewed online.
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ASSESSMENTS
- “A” level teams (including Full Field (FF) teams) will be selected first and then “B” and “C” level Teams (including Modified Field (MF) teams) will follow.
- Each Age Group/Assessment will have a 15min “gap” between schedule times so that multiple teams do not overlap. Therefore it is very important for coaches/players/volunteers to exit the field as quickly as possible after each assessment period.
- Once players are checked in (outside the gates of the field), they will be separated into smaller groups for safety reasons as well as making it easier for coaches to assess their skills.
- Head Coaches will have pre-printed player sheets, with player names, so that they can track their skill levels.
- Call Back Sessions will be announced and communicated by the head coaches (or team mgr) to each Open Assessment player.
- Once the “A” Teams are selected/formed, the “B/MF” Assessments will begin.
All coaches and coordinators must register and undergo background checks. All volunteers and officials must wear a mask during practices and games. This includes pre and post practice/games (before and after getting into their vehicle) when they are within 20’ of anyone. Failure to do so may result in any and all being suspended for the remainder of the season.
All participants, coaches and officials will sign a waiver to not hold VYI or its volunteers liable.
There will be an overall Covid Commissioner who will coordinate our response to the current crisis and ensure the current guidelines are strictly maintained. Each team will have a covid coach in place who will oversee both players and spectators. The field coach or “Covid Coach” will not only be responsible for making sure players and coaches adhere to the rules but also the make sure all spectators remain outside the gates at all fields of play and practice.
No spectator will be allowed inside the space for field of play. At Waters and Oakton HS, they must remain outside the fence. At schools like Madison, they can social-distance in the stands but will not be allowed inside the fence around the stadium field. Fields like Clarks Crossing and OakMarr #2 (where there isn’t a fence) will have to be treated with common sense, so that parents/spectators remain at least 50’ from the field of play. If any parents/spectators are identified to be ignoring these social distancing rules, the Covid Coach will remind those individuals of the rules and ask them to separate. If the group fails to adhere to the warning, then the Covid Coach will ask those parents/spectators to leave the stands and/or area.
There will be one point of entry for each field.
PRACTICES
We will minimize the number of teams on the field so that they do not interact. Scrimmages will not be allowed, unfortunately. Drills involving potential contact will be minimized as much as possible.
You are not allowed to share water bottles. Please bring ample hydration.
You are not allowed to high-five, touch the balls with your hands, nor touch any of the cones or goals.
You are not allowed to spit on the turf or anything similar.
You must take your temperature at home on the day prior to play (wait 30 min after eating, drinking, or exercising). If your temperature is at or above 100.4 degrees F, you are not allowed to attend.
Before each practice/game, the Covid Coach will ask the following screening questions 1) Do you have a cough and/or sore throat 2) Have you had a fever in the last 72 hrs 3) Do you have shortness of breath 4) Is anyone in your house ill with a fever or cough 5) Have you had contact with someone known to have or under investigation for COVID-19/Coronavirus in the last 14 days. If your athlete answers “yes” to any of these, you and your athlete must not attend.
Social distancing will be enforced per the Governor's recreational sport guidelines by Phase.
No spectators on the turf field or inside the fence at any field.
MANDATES FOR ATHLETES
- Bring a personal water bottle which MUST be labeled with the player's name.
- Must not share water bottles.
- Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing (or the current state requirement) while on the sidelines and wear a mask while not playing in the game or drill.
- Players are highly encouraged not to touch their mouthguard once it has been placed in their mouth and to sanitize their hands after it has been touched.
- No touch rule: Players should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials, and fans.
- If a player learns that he/she comes in contact with a positive Covid-19 individual, that player must report that exposure to the team Covid Coach and Head Coach. At that point, the Covid Coach, in conjunction with the Covid Commissioner will determine the extent of the exposure and make the decision if quarantining is required for that player (or anyone else from the team that might’ve been exposed). Quarantining is 14 days away from team, players, coaches.
MANDATES FOR SPECTATORS
- Must not enter player areas during practices or games.
- Must stay off the field of play at all times. Spectators/Parents may not “walk their child out to the field.”
- For games played at high school stadium fields (Madison HS, Marshall HS), spectators will be allowed in the stands/bleachers ONLY (we strongly recommend only two spectators per player be in attendance). Spectators are not allowed to congregate along fences, etc. As noted below, all spectators must follow social distancing guidelines.
- For games played at Oakton HS Practice Field #1, spectators are NOT allowed inside the field gate.
- Social Distancing must be adhered to, this includes in and around bleachers for anyone not in the same family. Please use judgment when bringing senior citizens and others with health issues to the games.
- Face coverings are required to be worn at all times.
- Post-play socializing or tailgating will not be allowed.
- Leave the field area as soon as reasonably possible.
MANDATES FOR COACHES
- Must adhere to 6-foot social distancing practices. (or whatever the Governor suggests as the current “social distance” rule for competitive activities).
- Face Coverings are required to be worn at ALL TIMES.
- Coaches will not “cross-over” to another team to watch or coach…they will only work with their assigned team.
- No touch rule: Coaches should refrain from high fives, handshake lines, and other physical contact with teammates, opposing players, coaches, officials, and fans.
- Must ensure that players are following COVID-19 -related prevention measures included herein.
- Teams must be on opposite sides of the field. (NVYLL may dictate this).
- No team snacks/drinks.
- No after game team huddle.
- No post-play socializing will be allowed.
- Leave the field as soon as reasonably possible…10-15min after the completion of game/practice.
CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
- Any coach that blatantly fails to adhere to the league rules on social distancing and/or safety of their team/players during practices or games may be removed by the VYI Board. While inadvertent mistakes and/or lapses may occur, the VYI Board will not allow the season to turn into a social media “gotcha” show.
- Any player or coach found to knowingly disregard a recent contact with a positive Covid-19 patient/individual (by not notifying the Head Coach and Covid Coach in a reasonable time (no more than 24 hours or the next practice/game…whichever comes first)) will be removed from the team for the remainder of the season and will not be offered any refunds.
- The Covid Commissioner and Covid Coach have the authority to remove a coach/player/spectator from the field of play for “Covid Safety” violations. Any argument by a coach or player will not be tolerated. If asked to leave, that coach or player may not be within 100 yards of the field (fence) or additional penalties will apply.
