OAKVILLE MINOR LACROSSE ASSOCIATION HOUSE LEAGUE COACHES HANDBOOK

OAKVILLE MINOR LACROSSE ASSOCIATION HOUSE LEAGUE COACHES HANDBOOK

OMLA Box House League Lacrosse Thank you for volunteering to coach this year! We appreciate all of your time and effort. The OMLA always welcomes and appreciates new volunteers. This handbook is provided as a source of information for the organizational part of coaching. Any additional questions you may have about coaching for the OMLA, other volunteering opportunities or the OMLA in general can be directed to your convenor or VP House League at vphouseleague@oakvillelacrosse.com. For information about drills, practice plans, lacrosse or coaching in general can be found on the Coaches Corner page of our website www.oakvillelacrosse.com. (Go to the BOX HOUSE LEAGUE tab and then click on COACHES on the side menu.) Important information will also be posted there throughout the season. We value all of our teenaged coaches, however, we strongly urge you to have at least one adult as part of your bench staff. An adult team manager is mandatory for all teams with coaches under the age of 18. We also remind all teenaged coaches that by volunteering to coach, there is an expectation that you will be at every game and practice or take appropriate steps to ensure there is a replacement for you, be prepared and engaged in leading your team. Practices for your team are not the time to be taking shots on net or socializing with your fellow coaches. Please note: Volunteer hour letters will be issued at the end of the season. These are done by request. Any coach who needs a letter either for themselves or for their assistant coaches, please submit a request to VP House League during the month of June with full name and number of hours. (Coaches are given 40 hours, but assistants hours vary.) Also, please note that up to three bench staff will be given an OMLA Coaching shirt and are asked to wear it to each game. Only those who have submitted a valid police check will receive a shirt. 1

Code of conduct for OMLA House League Coaches and Bench Staff 1. I will lead by example and I will work to create a desire for our players to do their best while playing the fastest game on two feet LACROSSE 2. I will remember that players need a coach they can respect. I will be generous with praise and set a good example at all times through my actions and words 3. I will teach my players to play fairly and to respect rules, officials, team-mates, opponents, parents/guardians and spectators 4. I will ensure my players get fair instruction, support and playing time 5. I will not ridicule or yell at my players for making mistakes or for performing poorly 6. I will remember that players play lacrosse to have fun and must be encouraged to have confidence in themselves 9. I will cooperate with officials, on and off the floor, for the benefit of the game and players 10. There is a need for regular, open communication with parents/guardians, coaching staff, players and Association officials. As a coach, I will be approachable at any time regarding anything to do with players or the team 24 hours after a game. 2

Basic Season Information Bench Staff - The bench for each house league team consists of one head coach and up to two assistant coaches - The bench staff must be named by Game 2 and all bench staff over the age of 18 must have a police check with vulnerable sector screening done within the last 2 years - Head coaches will receive a coaches kit which will include 20 balls, a clipboard and a whistle - Coaches and Assistant coaches will receive an OMLA coaching shirt upon submission of a valid police check and are asked to wear them to each game - It is highly recommended that each team has a team manager who will take care of communication, rosters, collection of medical waivers, distribution of jerseys, shorts, photo day information, photos and gala items Assessments- all coaches (head and assistant) are urged to attend - Coaches split into three groups. Assessment leader will break the players into three groups and send them to each of the three sets of coaches. Midget Rep players will run the players through a specific drill or drills to allow the coaches to assess the players skill. For example, a group of coaches will be watching a shuttle drill and will assess the players on their ability to pass and catch while another group of coaches watch the loose ball drill and assess those players on aggressiveness and size. Coaches need to agree on a rating. - Format for 2016 to be determined Drafts - After all the players who came have been assessed and all scores have been entered along with practice night requests, all coaches, the convenor and the VP House League will draft players to their teams. - Please note this system is not perfect. Variables such as unrated players and practice night requests preclude us from creating truly balanced teams. Each coach has the same opportunity to draft the same children, but some have prior knowledge of lacrosse experience and/or hockey skill level. We do our best and hope that all coaches work together in the spirit of creating balanced teams to minimize having to rearrange teams later. 3

- Coaches are now asked to contact all of their players and advise them of their first practice time and location. Email addresses and phone numbers are provided as we have on file. When an email bounces back, try the phone number and get the correct email address. Rosters - It is extremely important to have an accurate roster. - As soon as the jerseys are handed out on the first practice, please fill them in on your roster and bring this list to the first game. The game sheet will be completed with everything except the roster numbers, so please be prepared to fill that in before the first game. After that, the game sheets will simply need your signature. - Any changes made to your rosters should be communicated to the VP House League and Convenor and double check the game sheet to make sure the change was accurately reflected Practices - Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your practice or game time. Ask that your players arrive at least 15 minutes before practice or game time. - Goalies should be asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior. - Have a sign with your team name to post on your change room door at all practices and games. - Bring your roster with you to the first few practices at least. Greet the players at the door and check them off your roster to be sure that they are all listed. Guide players who are not on your roster to their appropriate room. Follow up with all absent players after practice. - Add jersey numbers to your roster - Have a practice plan and follow it. - It is recommended to have a parent meeting in the first few weeks to meet the parents and share your plan for the season. This is a good time to warn them about balancing. - Scrimmages between teams sharing the floor are not recommended and strongly discouraged as there are no officials or athletic therapists present and could result in injury or hard feelings which may carry over to a sanctioned game later in the season. 4

Games - Either the convenor or VP House League will fill in the game sheet. Please provide a roster with jersey numbers before the first game. You will be asked to sign the game sheet weekly. **Please double check that the roster has accurate jersey numbers for each player.** - Please pay attention to where your team is on the game sheet and go to the appropriate bench. The team at the top of the game sheet is HOME and the bottom team on the game sheet is VISITOR. - Home team is asked to provide the refs with three balls. It is your responsibility to retrieve them at the end of the game. On the schedule, the first team listed is HOME. - There will be timekeepers ready to take the game sheet and they set up and take care of the scoreboard. - Timekeepers put up a 5 point spread only (3 points at Paperweight). All other goals are recorded on the game sheet and the score is advanced only when the losing team scores. - Paperweight and Tyke will have one timekeeper, Novice and up have two. - Peanuts do not have timekeepers or game sheets until the Championship game on Sunday of Gala. - Paperweight game sheets are different, but accurate jersey numbers and rosters are still important. - There must be two certified referees for each game at Tyke through Midget. - There will be a Student Athletic Therapist present at all games Tyke through Midget. S/he will be in the penalty box and will come onto the floor whenever a referee time out is called due to injury. Coaches are asked to instruct their players to immediately return to their bench in the event of an injury requiring the SAT. Coaches are further asked to let the SAT handle the situation/injury. These are students in their third or fourth year of the Athletic Therapy program at Sheridan College and are specially trained to deal with these injuries. They also have access to the medical waivers so will know if a player requires special intervention/treatment. Please remain close to the SAT to hear instructions and give assistance when necessary. - Any issues arising during the game involving any of the game officials should be brought to the Convenor s attention after a 24 cooling off period. Coaches should not engage in heated conversations with referees or timekeepers during or after the game. 5

Special OMLA House Rules The main goals of OMLA House League are fun and development. The skill levels at House League are widespread, with absolute beginners in all divisions to solid athletes to elite players who have chosen not to participate in the rep system. We accommodate all levels and develop all of our players equally. The goal at House League is not to win every game, but to truly provide a great experience for all of the players (your team and your opponents), instill a sense of respect for the game and the participants and officials, and keeping kids active and healthy. The OMLA has instituted several rules in addition to regulation Box Lacrosse Rules in order to develop our players in a fair manner as well as keeping the competitive spirit alive through respect. It is important that all of our House League coaches understand these rules and their validity. Please make sure all of your players and parents are also aware of these rules. 1. Players are allowed to score 3 goals per game. However, players may have an unlimited number of assists. Those players who are strong enough to score 3 goals per game should be encouraged to set up plays and move the ball during the first and second periods and then score in the third period. This will help develop the whole team and will also keep those stronger players engaged for the whole game. 2. Players are suspended for the remainder of the game once they have accumulated 3 minors or 6 minutes in penalties. A minor penalty is a 2 minute penalty and includes such infractions as high sticking, tripping, interference and slashing. A Check from Behind is a double minor, which means the player serves two 2-minute penalties. If a player checks from behind, he has now accumulated 4 minutes and any other penalty assessed against this player will result in his automatic ejection from the game. Please note that this rule is for assessed penalties, whether they are served or not. (If there is a delayed penalty and a goal is scored before the penalty is called, the penalty will be recorded on the game sheet and included in the player s total minutes.) If a player is ejected, they must immediately leave the floor and go directly to the change room. They are not allowed to serve a suspension on the bench. Another player must serve the penalty but it will not count in that player s accumulation. 6

Players serving bench or goalie penalties will not have these penalties included in their accumulation. 3. Players who are suspended for a second time must attend an OMLA Disciplinary Committee hearing before they may play again. They are however allowed to attend practice. The OMLA will make all efforts to schedule a hearing as soon as possible to avoid loss of games. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether more game suspensions are warranted against this player or if he can return to play. 4. Players who are suspended a third time will receive an automatic one game suspension and must attend an OMLA Disciplinary Committee hearing. They are again allowed to attend practice, but cannot play in the next regular scheduled game. The purpose of this hearing is to determine if this player should be suspended for the remainder of the season in the interest of safety for the other players. 5. Fighting will result in an immediate suspension for the remainder of the game plus one game and a hearing before the OMLA Disciplinary Committee. 6. A second suspension for fighting will result in a suspension for the rest of the season. 7. Zero tolerance policy at Midget anyone assessed with a fighting penalty will be suspended for the remainder of the season. 8. No minors should ever be on the floor without a helmet Any minor on the floor, including those helping out, must be wearing a helmet. This is an OMLA policy as well as a Town arena and TRAC facility rule. This is not optional. The only exception is bench staff over the age of 14. 9. No throwing balls anywhere but on the arena floor or in the changeroom (at the coaches' discretion). Parents in the stands and in the hallway have been hit numerous times with wild balls. This is a safety hazard and is also inconsiderate. Balls have ended up on the floor during games causing injuries as well. Again, this is not only an OMLA policy but also a Town and TRAC rule. 7

Divisional Overviews Peanut *3 and 4 year olds *Soft lacrosse *45-minute practice Saturday mornings *stick checks only, no other contact *mandatory equipment: helmet, mouth guard, stick, gloves and proper running shoes *no other equipment is allowed (except for jocks) *only officials, coaches and players should be on the bench or in timekeepers/penalty boxes *Gala involvement limited to playoff game Sunday morning of Tournament *Basic idea is to introduce the sport Paperweight *5 and 6 year olds *60-minute practice Thursday nights *10-minute warm up followed by 42 minute game Saturday mornings *3-minute timed shifts *players stay in the painted white box on the floor in front of the benches while off-shift *only officials, coaches and players should be on the bench or in timekeepers/penalty boxes *one coach runs the floor with the play to act as referee while the other coach keeps the off-shift players in the box with their equipment on *new shifts begin with possession in the same area as when the buzzer went *5 runners and a goalie per team *3 passes minimum before a goal can be scored *stick checks anywhere *cross-checks allowed inside the house only *not allowed in opposing team's crease *face offs after goals *mandatory equipment: helmet, stick, gloves, shoulder pads, mouth guards and proper running shoes *kidney pads are not recommended 8

*jocks are recommended but not mandatory *Gala involvement limited to Semi-Final game on Saturday, Championship game on Sunday Tyke *7 and 8 year olds *one hour practice during the week *one game on Saturdays *three 16-minute periods with 2-minute timed shifts for the first 5 games *from week 6 until end of season three 15-minute periods with no timed shifts *players serve full penalties, even when it carries over shifts and teams play shorthanded for full season *two referees must be present to have a game *coaches and off-shift players stay on the bench *5 runners plus two goalies per team *all players get equal playing time - all players stay in line and as 5 come in, the next 5 go out. No exceptions *coaches are expected to encourage team play and display respect towards all players and officials at all times *mandatory equipment: helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves, kidney pads, jock, stick and proper running shoes Novice thru Midget *Novice 9 and 10 year olds *Peewee 10 and 11 year olds *Bantam 12 and 13 year olds *Midget 14 and 15 year olds *one hour practice during the week (after two practices, these are games for Midgets) *one game on Saturdays *three 15-minute periods *coaches and off-shift players stay on the bench *only officials, coaches and players should be on the bench or in timekeepers/penalty boxes *5 runners plus a goalie per team *all players get equal playing time - all players stay in line and as 5 come in, the next 5 go out. No exceptions *coaches are expected to encourage team play and display respect towards all players and officials at all times *mandatory equipment: helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, arm guards, gloves, kidney pads, jock, stick and proper running shoes. 9

Timekeeping Box Instructions To begin a new game: press "Game Time" until the start time you want appears. To get a custom game time: press "Game Time", number of minutes and "Enter". To have a shift-ending buzzer: press "Time", "Horn", number of minutes per shift and "Enter" To sound the buzzer manually: press "Horn" To Start/Stop Time: press "Stop/Go". To add scores: press "Home Score" or "Visitor Score". To correct scores: press "Home Score" or "Visitor Score", number of goals and "Enter" For a 2 Minute Penalty: press "Home Penalty" or "Visitor Penalty", "Enter". "Enter" again when you want to start penalty. For a 4 or 5 Minute Penalty: press "Home Penalty" or "Visitor Penalty", "Time" for 4 minutes ("Time" twice for 5 minutes)"enter". "Enter" again when you want to start penalty. PLEASE NOTE: THE SHORTEST PENALTY WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CANCELLED WHEN AN OPPOSING SCORE IS POSTED To correct a penalty: press "Home Penalty" or "Visitor Penalty","1" or "2", "Time", minutes:seconds,"enter", "Enter". 10

Common Referee Signals - Possession Calls Teams have 30 seconds to take a shot on net. At 30 seconds, the shot clock will sound and the opposing team will gain possession. Crease Violation A player may not step in the opposing team s crease at any time nor may they step into their own crease while carrying the ball Push Off A player may not push, direct or have any other one-handed contact with another player Minor Interference A player may not have contact with a non-ball carrying player while not in the house 5 Second Count A player has taken more than 5 seconds to clear the ball from his crease 10 Second Count A team with a penalty has taken more than 10 seconds to cross into the other team s zone Back Over 11

Common Referee Signals Minor Penalties Check from Behind A check in the back between the shoulders and the waist. This is a double minor, worth 4 minutes. Boarding Contact that results in the opposing player hitting the boards with excessive force Cross-Checking An illegal check the opponent was not on his feet, did not have possession of the ball or the check was not from the front or side between the shoulders and waist Major Interference Interfering with either the movement of the ball or the opposing player while the play is in progress Roughing Using unnecessary roughness Tripping Using the stick or any part of the body to trip an opposing player 12

Holding Impeding the progress of an opponent by holding any part of the opponent s body Hooking Impeding the progress of an opponent by using the stick to hook or hold any part of the opponent s body High Sticking Deliberate contact with the stick above the shoulders Slashing Swinging the stick at an opponent, even if it doesn t connect 13

Other Common Referee Signals Face off Goal No Goal Reset The ball has changed possession or a shot was taken on net so the shot clock is reset to 30 seconds Time Out 14