Table of Contents

  1. A Note from Leadership
  2. General Health Guidelines
  3. Return to Play Overview
  4. Return to Play Responsibilities
  5. Club
  6. Coach
  7. Parent
  8. Player
  9. Return to Play Check List
  10. Triple Threat Elite Rules for A Safe Socially Distanced Practice
  11. Acknowledgment of Return to Play Waiver 

A Note from Leadership

The health and safety of our athletes, coaches and parents, is and will continue to be our top priority. We have set forth these guidelines to create the safest environment possible for the Triple Threat Lacrosse Community. We will continue to adapt these guidelines as new information is provided to us by national, state and local authorities, as well as CDC and US Lacrosse guidelines.

We strongly advise all members of our community to follow CDC and government guidelines regarding good hygiene, including frequent hand washing. In addition, we recommend that you not only practice social distancing on the field, but off the field as well where possible. These measures are imperative to a successful return to play and will allow us to continue to provide a place for all Triple Threat Elite athletes to reach their full potential and grow in the sport of lacrosse. We look forward to a safe and successful return to play very soon!

Lori Brown
Triple Threat Elite Lacrosse Director

General Health Guidelines

GENERAL HYGIENE PRACTICES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AT ALL TIMES TO REDUCE THE RISK OF SPREAD OF INFECTION 

  • Avoid touching your face 
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer for 30 seconds making sure to cover the entirety of both sides of your hands
  • Cover your mouth and nose (with arm or elbow, not hands) when coughing or sneezing and wash hands afterwards 
  • Wear a face mask when outside if you have any respiratory symptoms  
  • Avoid contact with other individuals (shaking hands, high fives, for example)  
  • Maintain a distance of 6 feet between you and others while the non-contact rule remains in effect
  • Stay home if you feel sick and contact your health care provider

Triple Threat Elite Return to Play Overview

Within this document you will find information geared to Triple Threat Elite return to play guidelines. 

Guidelines follow state and CDC recommendations, specific questions should be directed to health care specialists. These guidelines do not override any medical professional guidance received or other state and local health requirements.  

Our top priority in creating a return-to-play plan is enabling players, families, and coaches to get back on the field in a safe and healthy environment that promotes good habits. The health and safety of our players will continue to be our number one priority.  

We want our players, families and coaches to feel confident in returning to play. Anyone who is not ready to return to the fields should wait until they do feel ready, without penalty or repercussions. If you are not confident to return. Don’t.  

This is an ever-evolving environment and plans could change as a result of new information. We are all very excited to see our players return to the field and we know they are just as ready, but it is extremely important that these guidelines are adhered to by all. Our current return to training activity start is June 22nd, 2020.   

*Please click the link below to find the return to play principles set forth by US Lacrosse

https://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/safety/return-to-play-final-1.pdf

 Return to Play Responsibilities

Each of us have responsibilities upon returning to the field. The club, parents, players and the coaches. Please help us make the new normal as easy of a transition as possible.

CLUB  

  • Train staff in safely creating a training environment and ensure that physical distancing is maintained 
  • Show care to players and families 
  • Clear communication to and between all participants and their families about expectations and guidelines to implement your return to play plan 
  • Practice times will be staggered, limiting numbers in the same area 
  • Upon entry and exit to field players are to use hand sanitizer 
  • Disinfect all equipment used 

COACH  

  • Have fun, create a positive environment
  • Ensure Health and Safety of players
  • The coach should make the following inquiries at beginning of practice (as a group is acceptable):
    • Is anyone running a temperature? (NO – correct answer)
    • Does anyone have a persistent cough? (NO – correct answer)
    • Does everyone feel well & healthy? (YES – correct answer) 
  • Players wearing a mask are at parent discretion
  • Only coaches should handle equipment (cones, goals, etc.) and these should be sanitized before and after each use
  • Goals
    • Wipe down with disinfectant wipes before and after each team’s practice
    • If a goal needs to be moved, players must disinfect their hands before and after it is moved. Only two players should move the goal, one on each side. Goal movement should be avoided.
    • BallsLimit the number of balls used to help keep track of sanitation
  • Wipe down with disinfectant wipes before and after each team’s practice
  • Do not let players crowd in the goal to move balls after a shooting drill or crowd near balls in one area. Instead, a coach should move the balls or a coach can assign one player to move/collect the balls using their stick rather than their hands.
  • ConesLimit the number of cones used to help keep track of sanitation
  • Wipe down with disinfectant wipes before and after each team’s practice
  • Coaches should be solely responsible for moving and collecting cones
  • Coaches are not permitted to use traditional mouth whistles. If you wish to use a handheld/electronic whistle you may
  • Players must not share pinnies or any other equipment
  • Coaches are to wear masks to, from and during practice as long as it remains a CDC recommendation

PARENT 

  • Reply to club/coach on attendance for recording and planning purposes
  • All players will be REQUIRED to update their availability for the summer practice event or scrimmage as well as the event title “Practice Health Authorization” before each practice 
  • Do not allow participants to treat spreading the virus as a joke – parents need to be a part of enforcing this 
  • Check child’s temperature before coming to any training session 
  • Ensure child’s clothes are washed before coming to any training session 
  • Ensure all equipment is sanitized before and after every training session 
  • Notify club/coach immediately if your child becomes ill for any reason 
  • Supply your child with individual sanitizer 
  • Supply your child with a mask to wear to and from practice  (masks will not be required during drills)
  • Adhere to social distance requirements, stay in your car 
  • Ensure your child has plenty of water 
  • Should parents feel the need to communicate with a coach, it must be done through phone call or email 

PLAYER 

  • Adhere to all return to play protocols 
  • Wash hands thoroughly before and after training 
  • Wash and sanitize training equipment after every training session 
  • Do not bring any additional equipment Lacrosse stick, googles, mouthguard and water only 
  • Player should leave car ready to play, avoid additional equipment 
  • Do not share water or equipment 
  • Place water at least 6 feet away from teammates 
  • No greetings/congratulations or farewells – no high fives/handshake 
  • Players should maintain social distancing during coaching conversation and should be encouraged to leave the training area promptly after sessions 
  • Wear a mask to and from practice.  Masks are not required during practice

 Responsibilities Regarding Injuries

The potential reaction to a player getting injured is more complicated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The immediate safety of the player must remain top priority, but care should be taken when addressing small injuries (e.g. handing out band-aids). When possible, a parent/guardian should assist in any care necessary.

Rules for A Safe Socially Distanced Practice

48 hours prior to practices starting: *All athletes, staff members and adults dropping off/picking up must certify the following:

  1. They have not had a fever or other COVID-19 symptoms over the previous 2 week period.
  2. They have not tested positive for COVID-19 over the previous 2 week period.
    1. If they have tested positive during that time, they must produce two consecutive negative tests in a 48-hour period to attend practice.
  3. They have not been exposed to someone who has COVID-19.
  4. All athletes and parents must sign a waiver that they are aware of COVID-19 and understand our current situation.
  5. All athletes and parents must agree to follow our safety policies and guidance for attending our practices, outlining our safety protocols.

Pre-Practice Checklist

  • Players have completed COVID-19 questionnaire for training
  • Players have had their temps checked
  • Players have their own water with name on it
  • Players have hand sanitizer (must use before & after training) with name on it
  • Players must have their own mask with
  • Players have their own training uniform and cleaned before each training or game
  • Players may only interact with their own training groups

Rules for A Safe Socially Distanced Practice

At Practice: *At the first practice, athletes, staff and adults must re-certify all of the same certifications of 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the 48-hour check list. 

  1. If an athlete presents with a temperature of 100.4 or above, they will not be permitted to participate in that day’s training.  Players that have the symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, including: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat will not be permitted.
  2.  Athletes will be verbally advised of the COVID-19 Rules by their coaches.
  3. Training groups during practices will be 25 or fewer athletes including coaches.
  4. Training groups will be spread throughout the fields, so as not to come in contact with other groups.
  5. No more than 60 players may be on one large playing field at a time during practices, in groups of 25 including coaches. 
  6. Players will remain 6 feet apart when standing in lines or groups for instruction (stick and arms length away).
  7. The groups will have the same coaches during each activity and will not mix with other groups.
  8. No contact drills will be done until Government guidelines permit.
  9.  We will focus on drills that do not feature tight spaces
  10. No large meetings will be held on or off the field. Groups will be advised separately.
  11. Staff will sanitize all equipment before and after sessions to include balls, goals, and any other equipment used.
  12. Practices will be spectator free until Government guidelines permit.  When spectators are allowed they must social distance and wear masks.
  13. Parents may pick up and drop off their children while following physical distancing guidelines.
  14. We will not be providing water – players will bring their own water and not share.
  15. Players must have a mask for social settings.  They do not have to wear the mask while playing.

Triple Threat Elite Rules for A Safe Socially Distanced Practice

Additional Guidelines:

  • Each athlete, coach, and employee will arrive to practice and leave practice in their own vehicle only with an immediate family member or self. 
  • Each athlete, coach, and employee will have a mask to where when appropriate 
  •  Each athlete, coach and employee will have their own personal hand sanitizer to be used frequently before, during and after practice.
  • Each player will sign pre-practice waiver certifying that themselves and immediate family have not shown symptoms in the last 24 hours. 
  • Each coach will check the above waiver before the beginning of practice. If a player has not completed the waiver they are not permitted to practice. 
  • Any players or players with household members exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 are required to stay home. 
  • All equipment will be properly sanitized before and after each practice. Each cohort will have their own set of equipment that may not be shared with other cohorts in the organization and cannot be used by any other organization. 
  • Each team will be considered a cohort and will remain the same until it is deemed safe by CDC and government guidelines to increase the number of athletes playing at the same time. 
  • When players arrive, they will set up their personal belongings along the sideline 6 feet from the field and 6 feet from each other. 
  • The use of team benches is not permitted. 
  • All players and coaches must always remain 6 feet apart. 
  • Lines for drills such as shooting or dodging will be spread out with 6 feet between each athlete. Once an athlete completes the shot or dodge, they will jog back while keeping their distance from others and return to the end of the line. 
  • Drills may need to decrease their pace to allow time for players to leave the shooting area, so they will not cross paths with the next player. 
  • Shuttle drills, 1 v 1s, live play, and all other drills that require contact or being close in distance will not be permitted at this time. 
  • Players should limit touching balls. Balls should be moved with a players crosse as much as possible to avoid touching with their hands. 
  • Coaches will be responsible for moving cones, goals, and or shared lacrosse equipment. Players should limit touching shared lacrosse equipment as much as possible with their hands.
  • Players are not permitted to touch any other player’s personal lacrosse equipment, including but not limited to stick, goggles, pinnie, mouth guard, water bottle, equipment bag and all other belongings. 
  • Players are prohibited from sharing water bottles. 
  • Players may not have the use of public restrooms depending on the facility, so players must plan accordingly before practice. 
  • Players are not prohibited to gather in groups. If a coach would like to address the team, each player should return to their designated area along the sideline. 
  • All athletes, coaches, and employees are strongly encouraged to follow CDC and government guidelines regarding good hygiene, including frequent hand washing.