GUIDELINES FOR “RETURN TO GAMEPLAY”

Revised August 28, 2020

Pre-practice email sent to players, parents, and coaches detailing practice guidelines.

• Requiring all participants to practice social distancing, and adhere to the face mask requirements, at all times.
• Youth players (and any family member accompanying) are required to wear a cloth face covering on their way to and from the field for practices, and follow coach instruction on the field.
• Urge families to refrain from carpooling, but if absolutely necessary, request that families carpool with other players within their practice pod (see below for more information on practice pods).
• Be on the lookout for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  Any participant experiencing symptoms of sickness or who has have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 should not attend practice and will be prohibited from attending.
• Parents are asked to take the temperature of players before each practice as coaches are not equipped to do so.
• Parents are required to talk to their kids about the new guidelines.
• In addition to regular football equipment (jersey, shoes/cleats, mouthguard, etc.), parents to provide their kids with at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, and individual water bottle (clearly labeled).

Modified Practices/Games Metrics

• HFL will mirror the Hopkins Public Schools Learning Model Policy numbers for how
• “In-Person Learning” level will return practices/games back to typical (2019 & Prior) policies including the following: 
  • Modified rules will still be played. 
  • Games will return to weekdays for second half of practice. 
  • Additional practices may be added.  Practice rotations (stations) for speed and agility training will be added back into practice. 
  • Interleague play will also return. 
• “Hybrid Learning” level will see the use of Modified Practice Plan including rules as noted in the Rules addendum attached.  It will generally include the following:
  • Games will take place 1 time per week (typically on Saturday/Friday Night). 
  • Practices limited to team pods (<12-14 players/coaches)
• “Distance Learning” level will further restrict contact. 
  • Reduction in number of games. 
  •  

Practices/Games and Spectators

• Spectators will not be allowed on the field level at any locations.  Spectating will be allowed in stands (Stadium Only) and along H11 grass fields to space out fans. 
  • Stadium – Spectators are allowed in the stands of the Stadium during practices or games but will be required to practice social distancing between family groups.  To the best of our ability, all Shula/Madden/Walsh games have been scheduled within the Stadium. 
  • Turf Practice Fields – Spectators are not allowed within the fenced area and spectators must observe from outside the area. 
  • H11 (Grass) Fields – the grass fields will be painted to maximize distance between fields.  Spectators are allowed but must practice social distancing and stay 20 yards away from playing fields. 
• During practice, parents are asked to stay off the fields, and instead remain in their cars in the parking lots or in the common areas outside the fields, while still observing social distancing recommendations. 
• Spectators are *not* allowed to remain in the common areas during games (i.e. not allowed in the bleachers, in between the fields, near the ends of the stadium running track, near the concession/ticket stand, etc.).
• Parents are encouraged to remain at the Varsity Field Complex when there is higher likelihood of rain or inclement weather, as there is limited shelter available.
• Make clear that all posted or published local and state-regulated guidelines shall be followed.
• Start times will be staggered by 10 minutes between teams / pods. 

Waivers

• Parents will be required to review and sign waivers before their youth players attend practice.  This waiver was made part of the sign up process and details of waiver can be found as appendices to this plan. 
• Additional training sessions for coaches will be held prior to practice to review guidelines.
• HFL board members and coaches will be helping remind families of the safety protocols.

Practices and Fields

• Each field will be divided up into specific practice areas and zones and the teams (players and coaches) will be assigned to specific area.  Players will have location for water bottles and gear and should report to area
• Upon arriving, coaches will instruct players to maintain distance while placing their gear in the designated area along the fence line.
• Players should arrive at their designated practice times to stagger flow of teams into stadium. 
• Players should not interfere with practices that are already being completed. 

Player Safety & Expectations

• Players will not share gear or equipment.
• Players will be required to wear mouthguards (previous safety requirement)
• Recommended equipment include cleats, receivers gloves, and facemask. 
• Each team/pod will be issued a set of flags for team use.  Flags should be worn at practice and allowed to sit for 48 hours between practices and games.  Coaches will keep flags inside their travel bags. 
• Each team/pod will be given additional footballs for practices and games.  Teams should be split up into small groups during practices and footballs assigned to each group.  Coaches will also be given bottles of disinfectant to sanitize footballs during practices/games.  Alternatively, footballs can be rotated out during practice and allowed to sit for 48 hours before being reused. 
• As CDC guidelines suggest that that an incidence of the virus may only survive for a matter of hours to days, and as the time and resources required for disinfecting porous surfaces such as those of the footballs would not be practicable, once a set of footballs are used for a practice or game they will be taken out of use for at least two (2) days by the coach.
• For gameplay, when a team is on offense, they will use their footballs as the game balls (no sharing of footballs between teams).
• Additional footballs for practice and games will be made available to the coaches as needed.
• Coaches will be provided with antibacterial wipes or spray to sanitize equipment as needed.

Hand Sanitizer

• Parents to supply their players with antibacterial wipes and/or hand sanitizer for use as needed.
• Soap and water are not readily available on the fields. As such, it is required that players use an FDA-approved alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.  (You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.)
• Players will be instructed by their coaches to wash their hands using hand sanitizer frequently. 
• This includes washing hands at the start of practice or game and before each set of drills, at the end of each set of drills or session where there is shared contact (e.g. throwing / catching a football, etc.), and again at the end of practice or game.
• Players will also be instructed to wipe down their non-mouthguard equipment at the end of practice with antibacterial wipes.
• Parents should wash mouthguard at end of practice at home.
• Coaches will repeatedly remind players not to touch their faces.

Facemask Use

• Players are required to wear face coverings in common areas during practices and games, and there will be no contact allowed.  Common areas include pathways into and out of the fields,
• Youth players will be required to wear a cloth face covering on their way into the field for practices and games, as well as any family member dropping off their children.
• Youth players will be required to wear a face covering at all other times, with no removal except as allowed by coaches (e.g. when drills are deemed to be a safe distance apart, when distanced and taking a water break, when game play is to begin, etc.). 
• Coaches, and any other youth sports staff or officials, will be required to wear a cloth face covering on their way into the field for practices and games, and at all times throughout.  This is both for safety, and to set a positive example.  Coaches may remove the face covering when sufficiently distant from players and others as needed (e.g. when providing instructions, etc.).
• As a reminder, guidance from the CDC and MDH on the use of face masks states that “masks can help to stop your germs from infecting others. This is important as people without symptoms can spread the virus...  Wearing a mask does not protect you from others who may spread the virus. You will still need to wash your hands often, cover your cough, and stay 6 feet away from others.”
• Players are permitted & encouraged to wear other PPE items if they choose to do so.  Any additional PPE items worn should do not compromise the safety of the wearer or any participants at the practice or game.
• Bags will be required for kids of all ages (to allow for a place to safely store water bottle, face mask when not in use, etc.). 
• Families can donate extra bags
• Coaches will encourage players to cover coughs and sneezes using the inside of their elbow, and reminding them to not spit.
• Players and coaches must maintain minimum six feet of distance from any other person at all times before, during and after practice and gameplay.
• Minimize player contact – modified rules have been provided to minimize player contact (see 2020 Rules with Modifications below for more information). 
• No coach contact – coaches will also maintain distance and refrain from contact with players and other coaches, except as necessary in the event of a medical emergency.
• To help maintain distancing during gameplay (and as masks will not be required to be worn by youth players on the field), the following additional protocols are in place. 

Players should bring an individual water bottle.

• Drinks should absolutely not be shared.
• There will be no team-shared coolers, and the concession stand will be closed.
• All bottles must be labeled clearly with the player’s name so it is not mistaken for someone else’s.
• While the field will have functioning water fountains, it is recommended that players bring larger water bottles or multiple water bottles to avoid groups clustering for refilling.
• As with all warm weather play, coaches will be encouraging regular water breaks.
• If a player forgets their water bottle, or runs out, coaches or volunteers will ensure players have access to water.

Practice and Gameplay Modifications

• All recommendations for group size will be followed, noting modifications for gameplay.
• Players will be assigned to smaller groups (referred to as “pods”) during practice to help enable social distancing on the field.
• Practice pods will be generally under approx. 12 people total (including coaches), and will not exceed 25 people at games.  Note that recent guidance from MDH notes that organizations should not feel pressured to go up to 25 people in the outdoor settings, taking time to feel comfortable about bringing kids together is the first priority.
• Pod groups will remain the same for the entire practice.  
• At practice, pods will remain at the assigned location of the field for the duration of practice.  They should not rotate onto other team’s fields. 
• The pod groupings will be the same for the entire season.  Pod participants will not change for each practice. 
• No more than six pods per field for a practice.  Each football field will be divided up into practice areas approximately half of a flag football field. 
• Each flag football field plays across the field (55 yards) with width of 30 yards.  Each practice area will be approximately 30 x 30 yards and coaches to modified drills as necessary to stay within this area. 
• Pods will be separated at all times for practice

Modified inclement weather protocols.

• In the event of rain, social distancing requirements will remain in effect and shelter will not be provided. 
• Parents are strongly recommended to remain at Big Willow for practice or games when there is an increased likelihood of rain.

Modified restroom protocols

• While the park does have public restrooms available for use, it is recommended families encourage their children to use the facilities at their home before practice or games.
• Players and others needing to use the public restrooms during practice or games will be required to wear face covering, and required by the coach to re-wash their hands with sanitizer when returning.
• Please note that the public restrooms are maintained by the Hopkins High School (and not by the HFL).

Modified first aid protocols.

• A medic or trained personnel will be present at all practices and games to provide first aid.  The first aid kid will now include gloves, extra face masks, and additional hand sanitizer, and which will be required to be used by medic, coaches, or others administering first aid.
• If someone does get sick or present symptoms during practice or games, ensure they are wearing their mask if able, isolate them from others, and arrange for transportation to their home or healthcare facility (as directed by their parents as appropriate for youth players or staff).  See additional detailed guidelines.
• As a reminder, cloth face coverings should not be placed on anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cover without assistance.

Guidelines if someone gets sick.

• Coaches, staff, officials, players, and families are advised that sick individuals should not attend the youth sports activity, and that they should notify youth sports officials (e.g., the COVID-19 point of contact) if they (staff) or their child (families) become sick with COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms or a confirmed or suspected case.
• If an individual is onsite with COVID-19 symptoms (i.e., fever, cough, shortness of breath), immediately separate from coaches, staff, officials, and players.
• Individuals who are sick should go home or to a healthcare facility, depending on how severe their symptoms are, and follow CDC guidance for caring for oneself and others who are sick.
• Individuals who have had close contact with a person who has symptoms should be separated and sent home as well, and follow CDC guidance for community-related exposure (see notifications below).
• Parents will be contacted for safely transporting anyone who is sick to their home or to a healthcare facility (an ambulance may also be contacted if an emergency).  If calling an ambulance or bringing someone to the hospital, try to call first to alert them that the person may have COVID-19.
• Close off areas used by a sick person and do not use these areas until after cleaning and disinfecting them (for outdoor areas, this includes surfaces or shared objects in the area, if applicable).
• Wait at least 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting. If 24 hours is not feasible, wait as long as possible. Ensure safe and correct use and storage of cleaning and disinfection products, including storing them securely away from children.

Communication, attendance tracking and confirmed cases.

• The association will disseminate these guidelines to all coaches, referees, medics, players, and parents.
• The team parent/coach of each pod will keep an accurate record of their youth players and any assistant coaches, including contact information, and their respective attendance at each practice or game.
• Attendance should be updated within the SportsEngine App and parents will be required to RSVP through this app.  In the case of someone getting infected, this will be necessary for Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to perform contact tracing.
• Organizers are required contact the MDH about any suspected case of COVID-19 or known exposure.  Coaches and families will contact the dedicated association contact, who will in turn contact the MDH and alert the HFL community as appropriate.
• Work with local health officials to develop a reporting system (e.g., letter) youth sports organizations can use to notify health officials and close contacts of cases of COVID-19.
• Advise those who have had close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms, and to follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

Support and resources from the association, upfront and ongoing.

• The association will provide mandatory coaches training, and will seek to ensure consistent application of safety guidelines.
• This training will also highlight and encourage youth development, and how to run modified drills, etc. with the safety guidelines.
• The association will learn from and adapt its guidelines as appropriate, and there will be continuous sharing and feedback between coaches.
• The association and coaches will have a zero-tolerance policy for intentional breaches to the safety guidelines.
• There will be a dedicated association contact for coaches and families, providing ongoing support and communications. 
• If a family is unable to obtain their own equipment, please contact the HFL president for more information on scholarship support.
• The association will monitor absenteeism of players, coaches and officials, cross-train staff, and create a roster of trained back-up personnel.
• There will be at least one designated Hopkins Football Board Member or Division Manager onsite for additional support and monitoring while the field is in use for scheduled practices and games.

Additional guidelines for referees.

• Referees will be required to wear a cloth face covering on their way into the field for practices, and at all times throughout practice. 
• Must maintain six feet distance from offensive backfield.
• Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay home if experiencing symptoms, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  If experiencing symptoms of sickness or if you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should not attend and will be prohibited from attending.
• Must avoid exchanging equipment with any other person.
• Must avoid exchanging documents or equipment with any other person (timecards will be done via email).
• Referees should bring an individual water bottle as the concession stand is closed.
• No touch rule – umpires must refrain from physical contact with coaches, players, and others.
• A “tip of the cap” will be used as a salute to the teams to promote sportsmanship.
• These guidelines will be posted in the equipment shed, and communicated with the umpire staff by the association.
• Umpires to bring at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, any disinfectant wipes (for personal use), individual water bottle, and rain gear.

Additional guidelines for field crew.

• Volunteer field crew will set up fields prior to games and practices.  The duties include setting up field yard markers and cones for outlines of the fields.  Volunteers shall sign up through the DIBS link on SportsEngine. 
• Crew will be provided additional instructions around cleaning and disinfecting equipment (cones, yard markers, play clock timers, etc.) before and after each use.
• Field crew volunteers shall wear a facemask while on the fields. 
• Field crew opening shifts will continue to be scheduled before others are on the field.
• Field crew closing shifts will continue to be scheduled after others have left the field.
• If scheduling does not allow for the fields to be clear for a shift, field crew will be required to wear a cloth face covering.
• Must conduct a daily symptom assessment and stay home if experiencing symptoms, which include fever, cough, or shortness of breath. Call your doctor if you think you or a family member is sick.  If experiencing symptoms of sickness or if you recently had close contact with a person with COVID-19, you should not attend and will be prohibited from attending.
• Cleaning products should not be used near children, and staff should ensure that there is adequate ventilation when using these products to prevent children or themselves from inhaling toxic fumes.
• These guidelines will be posted in the equipment shed, and communicated with the field crew staff by the association.
• Field crew to bring at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, any disinfectant wipes (for any personal use), individual water bottle, and rain gear.

Additional support for volunteer coaches.

• The association will provide additional support for coaches.
• This includes a coach’s binder for each pod, containing:
  • Safety guidelines
  • Contact information for parents
  • Suggested practice plans, and any additional specific guidance
  • Suggested drills to run, and any additional specific guidance
• Safety checklists will also be provided, covering:
  • Start of practice, start / finish of a drill, practice completion
  • Water breaks and bathroom breaks
  • First aid, concussion symptoms and actions, and additional safety protocols
  • Contingencies for inclement weather
• The coach’s equipment bag for each pod will contain:
  • Two sets of footballs for rotation of balls
  • One set of flags for use during the season
  • Playbook (to only be used
• The coach shall be the only personnel on the field with the players. 
• Coaches to bring at least the following for their personal use: cloth face covering, hand sanitizer, any disinfectant wipes (for personal equipment), and rain gear.

The following article is taken from a league-wide email to all active Hopkins Football families.  

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Hello Hopkins Football Families –

We are sure that many of you have heard the news that the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) has made the decision to move tackle football for the high school level to the Spring. Varsity players will be allowed to have some practices this fall in smaller group settings but, unfortunately, no Friday Night Lights for our Hopkins Royals Varsity.

This leads us to discussion regarding our own youth programs.  Tackle football and Flag football each have their own challenges and please find information below regarding the status of each.

Please note that having both programs require the full cooperation of parents, players, staff, and other members of our community.  It is only with full collaboration that we can consider having a season. 

Tackle Football

We have been in contact with other area programs about what this means for youth tackle, including HFL.  As it stands, the recent announcement has been directed at the High School level only, but there are repercussions at the youth level.  Youth tackle leagues have been granted permission for participation due to smaller groups/spectators, and smaller team sizes. 

Our tackle program participates in the Lake Minnetonka Athletic Association (LMAA), and the LMAA board took a vote on August 5th to continue with a Tackle Season with modifications to meet Minnesota Department of Health guidelines.  Representatives from LMAA met with MDH and approval was granted to the LMAA to move forward with a tackle season.  Planning is underway for that season with changes including a reduced game schedule with six Saturday games (no weekdays), strict adherence to COVID Return to Play plan, reduction in number of practices and various safety protocols.  Each LMAA organization is required to decide on participation in the fall league. 

Among the LMAA schools, HFL is unique in the fact that our tackle program falls in line with the Varsity Program down to the Junior High Level.  We do this to merge our program as a benefit for a more consistent experience from 7th grade on, to build our overall program, and provide tackle football at a more cost-competitive number.  Because our 7th and 8th graders are coached by District staff, utilize fields provided by the Hopkins School District, and take advantage of busing for our players, moving the Varsity season to spring has larger implications for Hopkins kids than other organizations.  At this time, HFL cannot offer tackle football for our 7th or 8th graders through HFL/Junior High Program due to this interdependence.  

We share in your disappointment for these kids and have worked hard to come up with options for these kids to continue to play football:

• Option 1 – Tackle Football with other LMAA Organizations:  For parents/kids who want to play tackle football, our LMAA neighbors have agreed that Hopkins kids can receive a waiver to play with their organization.  Sign up will occur through those organizations and practices will be hosted at their fields.  Additional information can be found on our website under “Tackle”. 
• Option 2 – Flag/Flex Football with HFL:  We will expand our flag option to include 7th and 8th graders for the 2020 season.  Practices are focused on agility, conditioning, and diving deeper into the passing/secondary game. 
• Option 3 – Clinics Only:  The varsity will be hosting separate clinics during the fall season and participation has been extended to the 7th/8th grade level.  Participants at 7th/8th grade in Option 2 can also participate in Option 3.  Clinics will be practice only focusing on skill development and speed/agility training. 

Flag Football

The Flag Program at HFL currently falls under the MDH COVID-19 Sports Guidance requirements for total number of participants in a pod (players, coaches, refs, etc.) on a field to be less than 25 people.  Our 7v7 and 5v5 programs meet these requirements and would allow us to have a Flag Season given that we mandate specific requirements during practices and games (i.e. social distancing for spectators, disinfection of equipment, safety protocols).  The Flag Program will continue in the Fall in a modified format and will likely include Saturday games, required space between fields, and other potential change to game play (i.e. no defensive rush, coverage sacks, etc.). 

Details at Each Grade Level

As it stands right now, please find the following status for the divisions noted below: 

• Team Formation – Teams will be formed through buddy/coach requests first (as best we can to maintain team sizes), then schools.  Team requests will not be considered for teams after August 17th. 
• USA Bank Stadium - It is unknown about the ability to rent US Bank Stadium in October.  This will be contingent on the status of COVID at the time, and HFL cannot guarantee this end of year event. 
• Kindergarten through 2nd – The youngest division will continue to play in a 5v5 format in our Lombardi Division.  The division will continue to have a Saturday-only format and will include focus on skills development in first two weeks with practice/games remainder of season.   Season will start the Saturday after Labor Day (September 12) and run through the weekend before MEA (October 10).
• 3rd & 4th Graders - This division will play a modified 7v7 flag format in our Shula Division.  Practices will be 1 day per week with games on Saturday.  Practice will start the week before Labor Day (1 weekday practice) and then have 1 weekday practice (always the same day of the week) and Saturday games.  Dates will start week of August 31st and go through the weekend before MEA.  
• 5th & 6th Graders – This division will be offered as 7v7 flag format in our Madden Division.   Currently, we do not have adequate numbers to field a tackle team at these grade levels for participating in LMAA leagues.  These grades have traditionally had options for Flag in a 7v7 format or tackle through the LMAA conference.At this time, we will convert all participants over to Flag or Flex Football (touch/skeleton) format for participating in our Madden Division.  If a parent or player has issues with playing Flag/Flex Football, there are options for participating in neighboring LMAA organizations through obtaining a waiver.   Madden Division will practice 1 to 2 times per week with games on Friday nights or Saturdays. Practice will start the week of August 31st and conclude the weekend before MEA.
• 7th Graders – Participating in Tackle Football through one of our partner LMAA organizations (see website for registration links) or participation in our HFL Flag/Flex football league.  Please note that deadline/equipment handout is happening quick so registration is required in short order.  Additional options for participation in clinics as noted above.  Season will include 1 to 2 practices per week (starting week of August 31st) and conclude the weekend before MEA.   
• 8th Graders – Participating in Tackle Football through one of our partner LMAA organizations (see website for registration links) or participation in our HFL Flag/Flex football league.  Please note that deadline/equipment handout is happening quick so registration is required in short order.  Additional options for participation in clinics as noted above.  Season will include 1 to 2 practices per week (starting week of August 31st) and conclude the weekend before MEA.  
• Status of Season - All divisions are tied to StaySafeMN Phases and increase in COVID severity could affect scheduling.  
• Existing Registrations – Please note that any 7th/8th graders that have previously registered for tackle will be eligible for full refund if you wish to play at LMAA organization or conversion to flag program with partial refund on cost difference. 
• Scholarships – Scholarships are available for programs within the HFL and these are tied to the Free or Reduced Lunch Program at school.  If a player wants to play tackle football with neighboring LMAA organizations, an application must be made with that organization and HFL won’t be covering transfer costs to the alternate organization. 

Please note that registration is currently open and will stay open through the beginning of season.  Friend requests for the Flag Football program will only be honored through August 17th with team formation.  Registration can be found at https://www.hopkinsfb.com/footballregistration

Coaches meeting will be held via Zoom call on Sunday, August 17th at 7:00 p.m.  If you would like to coach, please indicate in your child’s registration under the Guardian page.    

Thanks for your continued support of Hopkins Football!

HFL Board