OWBHL 2021 Return to Play Protocol Plan
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OWBHL 2021
Return to Play Protocol Plan
Please note that the following protocols are effective March 28th. Further facility specific requirements
from the city are expected before we return to play. This document will be updated as required.
To allow OWBHL players a chance to play organized ball hockey during the 2021, the OWBHL is
implementing the following Covid Safety Protocol during this phase of the pandemic. These guidelines
are based on the Ottawa Public Health and City of Ottawa guidelines for arena rentals as well as the
Ontario Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) Return to Play Guidelines. This plan should be read in conjunction
with the OBHA’s Return to Play Guidelines. This plan is subject to change and will be revised regularly to
incorporate new provincial requirements and lessons learned as the season progresses as well as to adapt
to changes to the public health situation and guidance.
Red Zone
The OWBHL Covid Protocol is intended to apply when Ottawa is in the Green, Yellow or Orange indicator.
If Ottawa is in the Red indicator, OWBHL programming will be suspended until the city returns to a safer
level of restriction. In such circumstances, pricing will be adjusted to reflect any reduction in scheduling.
Refunds will be issued on a pro-rated basis following the conclusion of the season.
Cohort and Team Composition
In accordance with public health requirements and the OBHA’s Return to Play Plan, players will be divided
into cohorts of no more than 50 individuals (subject to change based on guidelines). These cohorts will
generally consist of four teams (subject to change based on guidelines as well as registration numbers).
The grouping of players into teams will allow for modified or controlled scrimmages to take place within
the cohort. Players may not play in more than one cohort.
Players will be assigned by the OWBHL and the OWBHL will do its best to create balanced teams. If
required, players may be moved around within a cohort to achieve balanced teams. This will, however,
be limited as much as possible.
Each team will consist of approximately 8-11 players. A head coach will be assigned to each team. The
number of assistant coaches will be dependent on facility restrictions. Two teams from each cohort will
be on the slab at the same time. At this time, this would represent approximately 16-22 players per slab
time.
Players and goalies may assist other teams within their cohort only should players be unavailable (injured,
sick, away, must work, exams, etc.). Teams needing to borrow players from another team should attempt
to borrow players from the team that it is sharing slab time with prior to seeking assistance from other
teams in their cohort. As much as possible, teams paired together should attempt to limit the borrowing
of players from the other teams in their cohort.Number and Composition of Sessions
The Learn to Play Program will consist of 9 sessions of a maximum of 50 minutes. The sessions shall consist
of conditioning, skill development and scrimmages. Instructors will be responsible for officiating any
scrimmages.
U9 to U18 and GU10 to GU17 will consist of 18 sessions of a maximum of 50 minutes. The sessions will
consist of a warm-up followed by modified or controlled scrimmages. The warm-up shall be
approximately 5 minutes. The scrimmages shall consist of 2 halves of a maximum of 21 minutes each.
The session must end, at the latest, 50 minutes after its scheduled start time. Scrimmages will be overseen
by referees. Teams will be paired with the same team for the entirety of each weekend. Teams will only
be paired with teams within their cohort.
The number of sessions may be changed in accordance with public health requirements.
OWBHL Health and Safety Guidelines
The health and safety of our members is our top priority so there will be protocols that all families,
participants, attendees, coaches and officials will need to follow. Those not conforming with the rules and
requirements will be asked to leave and may be banned from participating in and/or attending future
sessions.
Before Coming to the Arena
• Players, parents and guardians should go over the applicable guidelines and protocols.
• Player should fully dress for their session. Only goalies will be allowed to access dressing room (if
available and necessary). We recommend goalies consider putting their pads on, on the slab.
• Players should ensure that they’ve labelled and filled their water bottle. There will be no sharing
of water bottle or other property.
• Make certain to pack masks for players and parent/guardian.
• All players/team staff/parents/guardians will be required to fill out an online questionnaire 12
hours or less BEFORE coming to the rink and PRIOR TO EVERY SESSION. If the questionnaire is not
completed, the player will not be allowed to participate in the session. Players who attempt to or
go on the slab without having the screening completed may be disciplined.
• Do not come to ball hockey if the player or parent/guardian has failed the online screening
process.
• Do not come to ball hockey if the player or parent/guardian has any Covid-19 symptoms, if a
member of the household has displayed Covid-19 symptoms, if a member of the household is
awaiting a test result or if a member of the household has been in close contact with someone
who has test positive.
• Carpooling should be avoided.At the Arena
• All facility and public health requirements will be followed.
• Players will only be allowed to enter the rink 15 minutes before their slab time and must exit the
building within 15 minutes of the completion of the session. Please arrive with enough time for
Covid-19 arena protocols.
• All players should arrive at the arena wearing their full equipment.
• Dressing rooms, if available, should only be used by goalies. Leave excess or unnecessary items
in vehicle, when possible.
• Each arena will have its own rules and procedures as to entry and spectator spaces. Make sure
you pay attention and respect those directions.
• Adhere to the instructions provided by OWBHL volunteers/officials and arena staff.
• One parent/guardian per player will be permitted as per facility guidelines (subject to change
based upon facility guidelines).
• Masks must be worn in all public places of the facilities by everyone. PLAYERS will not be required
to wear a mask while on the slab; however, coaching staff will be required to wear a mask while
on the slab.
• Social distancing should be practiced inside and outside the facility by players, parents, guardians
and other officials/attendees.
• Social distancing should be respected entering and exited the facility.
• Players, parents, guardians and other officials/attendees must not congregate inside and outside
the facility.
• It is prohibited to share food and drinks with persons outside one’s household. Player should
have their water bottle labeled with their name on it.
• Spitting is prohibited.
• Physical distancing of 2 or more meters is required, at all times, while on and off the slab. Benches
and change rooms included. In cases where physical distancing is not being maintained on the ice,
the coach/official will stop the practice/scrimmage/game until the proper distancing is regained.
• Players should notify their coach immediately should they began to feel ill during a session. In
such circumstances, the player should immediately be isolated and removed from the facility.
After the Session
• Teams should immediately exit the slab. Social distancing should be respected in doing so.
• There should be no shaking of hands or high fiving the other team.
• Mask should be put on immediately.
• Leave the arena as quickly as possible. Follow the facility exit procedure in doing so. This may
involve leaving by a different entrance.
• Social distancing should be respected exiting the facility.
• Do not congregate in or outside the arena.
• Consider meeting player at car if player’s age and circumstances are appropriate.
• Wash and sanitize ball hockey equipment regularly.
• If a person having attended a session feels sick or displays symptoms, inform the OWBHL
President and/or VP Operations and follow guidance of Ottawa Public Health. Players will be
eligible to return once they have completed their isolation periods set out by Ottawa Public Health
or received a negative Covid-19 test.Modified/Controlled Play
Overview
• Sessions shall be for a maximum duration of 50 minutes. All sessions must end promptly 50
minutes after the scheduled start time.
• Modified or controlled scrimmage sessions shall consist of a 5-minute warm-up followed by a
maximum of 42 minutes of scrimmaging (Two 21-minute halves).
• Scrimmages shall consist of 4-on-4 or 3-on-3 play.
• Scrimmages shall include a break of one minute at the midpoint.
• Teams shall not alternate ends during scrimmages.
• There shall be no faceoffs. Team on the visiting bench shall have first possession before the break.
Team on the home bench shall have first possession after the break.
• No overtime / no shootout should the score be tied at the end of a scrimmage.
• Physical contact is not allowed.
• Accidental/incidental contact may occur/only stick checks are permitted.
• A player that loses a glove must immediately retrieve the glove or leave the floor.
• Play must be stopped immediately for any prolonged contact (i.e. 2 Steamboats).
• Play will be stopped for any and all player scrums - possession will be determined by end zone.
• There shall be no handshaking or high fiving at the end of a session.
Physical Contact
The Ontario Government Laws state, “Team sports may only be practiced or played within the facility if
they do not allow for physical contact between players or if they have been modified to avoid physical
contact between the players.”
It is important to recognize that the Ontario Government has permitted competition with the express
understanding that rules have been modified to eliminate intentional physical contact. Playing the game
of ball hockey without intentional physical contact represents a significant shift from traditional hockey,
as such, it is the equal and collective responsibility of all participants (players, bench staff, officials) to
create and adhere to the game play structure that eliminates intentional physical contact. Within the
modified playing rules, we will encourage and promote continuous play to the greatest extent possible.
Simply stated: play should be managed with the focus of eliminating all intentional physical contact. It is
the expectation of the OBHA and OWBHL that coaches and instructors are teaching and promoting during
sessions team tactics that eliminate all intentional physical contact and promote continuous play.
Intentional physical contact is NOT permitted and must be avoided. For the purposes of ball hockey,
intentional physical contact will include body to body contact. Stick to body infractions do not constitute
intentional physical contact. Ex. Lifting a player's stick to obtain the ball does not constitute intentional
physical contact.
Accidental/incidental contact may occur. When a scrum or gathering (2 or more participants) occurs with
prolonged, coaches, instructors or officials will communicate with players to disengage. Should the scrum
continue, play will be stopped. The defensive team will be awarded possession of the ball and the
attacking team will be forced to retreat. The official will blow the whistle a 2nd time when it is determined
that the attacking team has sufficiently retreated. The attacking team will NOT be required to leave thezone, they will be required to back away from the ball and allow the defensive team to fully gain possession. If a ball gathering or scrum occurs in the neutral zone the defensive versus attacking team will be determined by the position of the ball relative to the centre red line. Line Changes Teams may change on the fly. Teams must designate separate entry and exit door. Goals When a goal is scored the team that scored the goal must all retreat from the offensive zone. All players from the team that scored the goal must simultaneously make contact with the center red line (center floor) before they can proceed to apply pressure to the team that was scored upon. No contact between players to celebrate goals. Flooring (Icing) Flooring the ball results in a change of possession. The team that floored the ball must all retreat simultaneously to their own side of the center red line AND allow the other team to regain ball possession and uncontested control before they can return to the offensive side of the floor. Offside Offside will result in a change of possession. The official will blow the whistle. All players from the team that was offside must retreat to the centre red line (centre). All players from the offside team must simultaneously be in contact with the center red line before they can return to the offensive side of the floor. Goaltender Freezes the Ball When the goaltender freezes the ball, the attacking team simultaneously retreat to the top of the offensive zone face-off circles and allow the defensive to gain possession and control of the ball before being able to pressure the defending team. Officials are encouraged to work with participants to promote continuous play, if the official is required to stop the play then the whistle will be blown. Ball Out of Play The offending team shall back off and the official gives the non-offending team a new ball. Penalties The National Ball Hockey Association of Canada Playing Rules 2021 apply for all infractions. Penalty shots will be awarded for penalties as per: • 2/3-minute penalties = 1 penalty shot; • 4/6-minute penalties = 2 penalty shots; • All major penalties will result in 2 penalty shots and an ejection from the session.
When intentional physical contact occurs, the player will be assessed the appropriate penalty under the
NBHAC Rule Book and should such player receive a second penalty for intentional physical contact, he/she
will be ejected from the session.
The following minor penalties have been modified to align with the elimination of intentional physical
contact. Please note any player who receives a second minor penalty under any of the following rules or
a combination of two penalties of any of these rules will be ejected immediately from the session. The
rationale for the ejection is that the player made the conscious decision to engage in physical contact for
a second time in the same session. As always, any player assessed a 5-minute major penalty under any
rule will be ejected from the game and assessed an additional Game Misconduct penalty.
Infraction Rule # Additional Information
Boarding and Body Checking 50 (a) & (b)
Charging 52 (a) & (b)
Checking from Behind 53 (a) & (b) As per NBHAC rules any player
assessed a CFB penalty will also
be assessed an automatic Game
Misconduct whether a minor or
major penalty was assessed.
Head Contact Rule 86 (a) to (d) As per NBHAC rule 86 (b) any
player who is assessed a double
minor penalty (2 minutes +2
minutes) for intentional Head
Contact will also receive an
additional automatic 10-minute
Misconduct penalty and will be
ejected from the session.
Fighting and Roughing Rule 59 (a) to (h)
Holding Rule 63 (a) & (b)
Interference/Protection of the Rule 66 (a), (b) & (e)
Goaltender
Misconduct (10 minutes) Rule 47 (b) Any player assessed a 10-minute
Misconduct Penalty will be
ejected from the game.
Tripping Rule 86 (a) to (c) Any player who trips an
opponent using any part of
his/her body will have made a
conscious decision to engage in
intentional physical contact and
this will count as one occurrence
towards a session ejection.
Should a player trip an opponent
with their stick this will not be
considered intentional physical
contact.When assessing a penalty, the official will be in a position to clearly see the benches giving the penalty signal and then holding up one finger for one penalty shot and two for two penalty shots. On completion will run into position for the penalty shot. If off-setting coincidental penalties are assessed, play shall be stopped immediately with the offending players sent off the floor to the players’ bench, regardless of the team in possession of the ball when the whistle was blown the defending team will be given possession and the attacking team will retreat until the official is satisfied and the defending team has gained ball possession. The official will blow their whistle to signal play has resumed. If a delayed penalty is called near the end of the game and the clock runs out, and where the result of the penalty shot(s) could change the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will be taken. If the outcome of the penalty shot(s) would have no impact on the outcome of the game, the penalty shot(s) will not be taken. If a team has no goaltender and a penalty shot is assessed, the opposing team will be awarded a goal for each penalty shot. Misconduct penalties will result in NO penalty shot. Any player assessed a Misconduct penalty will be ejected from the game. As per the Equipment rule, players must pick up all loose equipment on the floor before proceeding to the players’ bench. If a player picks up a broken stick, they will not be assessed a Minor penalty/penalty shot as all loose equipment must be cleared off the ice. If they get involved in the play with the broken stick a penalty shot will be awarded. Penalty Shot Procedure The time clock will continue to run during all penalty shots (time will not be stopped). If the buzzer sounds while the penalty shot is in progress, the shot will be allowed to be completed. If the player stops during the penalty shot, the ball will be reset at centre floor and the player will retake the penalty shot. The penalty shot must be taken by the individual the infraction was committed against unless they are unable to do so because of injury or has received a Game Ejection, Game Misconduct, Match Penalty, or Gross Misconduct. Someone who was on the floor will take the penalty shot for bench minors, too many players, etc. (where the victim cannot be identified). The player taking the penalty shot will line up at centre floor. All the players of the opposing team will line up at either side of their blue line and must be between the boards and face-off dot. Once the penalty shot is completed, whether there is a goal or not, the defending players can enter their endzone to retrieve the ball. The player taking the shot must run to the red line and all attacking players must be in simultaneous contact with the red line prior to re-entry into the end-zone. Ejections Ejections must be reported to the OWBHL President and/or OWBHL VP Operations. In accordance with its OBHA obligations, the OWBHL is required to track game ejections for intentional physical contact. The OWBHL and OBHA have the authority to impose supplementary discipline to repeat offenders.
Officials
• A referee will oversee controlled/modified scrimmage for all levels.
• Game sheets will be used during all controlled scrimmages.
• When possible, referee assignment should remain within in OWBHL cohorts.
• All officials must take the OBHA course prior to officiating.
• Health checks by the officials are required to be submitted on game day.
Outbreak Management
It is important that there be an open communication between OWBHL, team staff, parents, and players
with regards to the health and safety of our players and families. This is a partnership. For a season to be
successful, we must all work together.
All symptoms are taken seriously. Do not attend a session if a player or parent/guardian displays any
symptom of Covid-19.
An individual becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-19 and ‘out of the norm’ (during on ice session):
• If an individual becomes unwell with symptoms of COVID-
19 https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/shared-content/resources/IPAC-Key-Messages-
Factsheet-v2020.5_English.pdf , or if someone is aware of an individual that becomes unwell with
symptoms of COVID-19, that individual must immediately stop participation in ball hockey
activities. A coach should be notified, and the individual will be masked and will be isolated from
all others in an isolated area. Anyone caring for the individual will also be required to wear a mask.
The individual shall be sent home and instructed to follow public health guidelines regarding self-
isolation and testing. OWBHL President and VP Operations will be informed of the situation and
will contact the individual or their parent/guardian to follow-up.
An individual is tested for COVID-19 and waiting for results:
• Any individual that is part of a ball hockey program that has been tested for COVID-19 must not
participate in ball hockey activities while waiting for the results of the test or until a negative test
result is received. If there is a positive case, Ottawa Public Health will inform OWBHL President or
VP Operations if the individual names OWBHL as part of their close contacts.
An individual is feeling sick with COVID-19 symptoms:
• An individual with even mild symptoms should stay home and contact a medical professional or
Ottawa Public Health for direction.An individual has come into close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive:
• An individual who has come into close contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive will be
removed from ball hockey activities for at least 14 days or otherwise directed by a medical
professional or Ottawa Public Health Authorities. We request that you inform the OWBHL
President and VP Operations of such exposure.
An individual test’s positive for COVID-19:
• If an individual test’s positive for COVID-19, they are requested to inform the OWBHL President
and VP Operations. If necessary, they will assist Ottawa Public Health in contact tracing
documentation, etc. Ottawa Public Health will contact and advise any individuals who were in
close contact with the individual and advise next steps, following public health guidelines
regarding self-isolation and testing. The player who tested positive for COVID-19 must follow the
Ottawa Public Health guidelines before returning to ball hockey activities.
Modification or Cancellation of Ball Hockey Activities:
• The OWBHL will follow all applicable Ottawa Public Health, Ontario Health and/or the OBHA
recommendations regarding modifying/restricting/postponing or cancelling ball hockey activities.
Participants will be informed as soon as possible of any modifications/restrictions or cancellations.
Modifications and restrictions will remain in place until the OWBHL is advised that it is safe to
resume activities by Ottawa Public Health, Ontario Health, and/or the OBHA officials.
The OWBHL will cooperate and follow all direction from Ottawa Public Health including releasing
information for contact tracing however, privacy will always be maintained.
When in doubt, play it safe. Following the direction of medical professionals or Ottawa Public Health
Authorities is critical to ensuring safety for our ball hockey programs. Remembering our collective
compliance with health guidelines will not only benefit OWBHL but our entire community.
Finally, please understand that rules and protocols are being updated frequently and are subject to change
based on COVID -19 trends and in accordance with further direction from the OBHA, the City of Ottawa,
and Ottawa Public Health Authorities.You can also read
