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LTAD: Competition Review - pt. 5
2019-12-04
The Ontario Football Alliance is pleased to share Part 5 of the 2016 Competition Review Survey that took place from Sept. 19 - Oct. 14, 2019.
BACKGROUND
From September 19th - October 14th, the Ontario Football Alliance opened a survey to the football community to share their thoughts on the 2016 Football Canada: Competition Review.
WHO RECEIVED THE SURVEY?
The Ontario Football Alliance shared the survey by email with all registered participants of the OFA. As well, the survey was shared on social media in an attempt to capture anyone in the football community that did not receive the email.
WHY?
With the upcoming changes in 2022, concerns were raised by some member clubs/leagues, from these concerns the Ontario Football Alliance identified 5 specific strategies. The Ontario Football Alliance in an effort to advocate on behalf of their members will share the results with Football Canada.
SCHEDULE
PART 5: Strategy 2.D
Should you have any questions about the survey or responses, please do not hesitate to reach out to Josh Prior at operations ontariofootball.ca.
QUESTION 7:
Specific number of weeks allowed each year for tackle football at each age category. Mandate: 2022
Some comments that Agree with Question 4:
"I agree limits need to be it in place but unsure of what that time should look like. I agree there are plenty of non-contact options to develop."
"That seems like a reasonable season time frame for each of those age groups."
Some comments that Neither Agree nor Disagree with Question 4:
Some comments that Disagree with Question 4:
"Likening this based on a CIS model Is inappropriate. Many teams use early season practice for conditioning and non contact drills. By limiting time to practice leading up to a10 game schedule results in poor quality football at all levels and weakens the sport. We also run the risk of driving away coaches and players by reducing the amount of time participate in this game. We weaken the game."
"I think limiting the number of weeks that football can be played is not okay. Take hockey for example, if a player is serious about playing hockey they will mostly likely play hockey almost year round, the same goes for football, spring and fall. The off-season is the winter."
"Does this mean a player can no longer participate in summer football and then high school football? If a player is "burnt out" then he wouldn't sign up for a second season in the same calendar year. I don't think it's Football Canada's place to determine when players are burnt out or need recovery between seasons. That decision is up to the individual player."
"I feel there is a lack of consideration and insight as it pertains to STRATEGY2.D: "Tackle football weeks in a year". Simply making a blanket number of weeks based on the professional or university equation is somewhat flawed as I believe that you have to look at the amount and quality of work in that period of time. 16 weeks will not allow for a player to play both fall highschool and spring rep - which would cause an ultimate choice watering down the level and safety of competition in both leagues. If that is the ultimate goal, then Football Canada should just say so. Highschool is more of a house league with extreme drop offs in the talent and number of players and coaches except in isolated circumstances. Players look to Spring rep for CIS coaching and development as well as increased exposure. A maximum 16 weeks will not afford higher level players to continue to develop. I would propose Football Canada should look into the number of practices and contact periods as an alternative to mandating a timeline of football eligibility. Our organization is very cognizant about the health of the athlete. We do not allow players to play both ways or on every special team. We practice only twice a week for 2-2.5 hrs in which we have only two 10 min contact periods where we don't go to the ground."
From September 19th - October 14th, the Ontario Football Alliance opened a survey to the football community to share their thoughts on the 2016 Football Canada: Competition Review.
WHO RECEIVED THE SURVEY?
The Ontario Football Alliance shared the survey by email with all registered participants of the OFA. As well, the survey was shared on social media in an attempt to capture anyone in the football community that did not receive the email.
WHY?
With the upcoming changes in 2022, concerns were raised by some member clubs/leagues, from these concerns the Ontario Football Alliance identified 5 specific strategies. The Ontario Football Alliance in an effort to advocate on behalf of their members will share the results with Football Canada.
SCHEDULE
| PART | RELEASE DATE |
| Part 1: Opening | Wednesday, November 6th, 2019 |
| Part 2: Strategy 1.A | Wednesday, November 13th, 2019 |
| Part 3: Strategy 2.A | Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 |
| Part 4: Strategy 2.B | Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 |
| Part 5: Strategy 2.D | Wednesday, December 4th, 2019 |
| Part 6: Strategy 2.F | Wednesday, December 11th, 2019 |
PART 5: Strategy 2.D
Should you have any questions about the survey or responses, please do not hesitate to reach out to Josh Prior at operations ontariofootball.ca.
QUESTION 7:
Specific number of weeks allowed each year for tackle football at each age category. Mandate: 2022
Playing too many games can lead to burnout or to overuse injuries. Addiotionally, health and safety issues may arise.
Having a true off-season is important for a number of reasons. Players not only need proper rest and recovery but can use time away from competition to work on skill development, conditioning as well as play other sports.
To meet the new tackle football guidelines, yearly schedules, including pre-season, in-season and off-season, would need to be reconfigured. Tracking will be done through an online registration system. The CIS calender was used as a framework and through the use of LTAD principles, guidelines were produced to prepare athletes for this and other high performance levels.
Having a true off-season is important for a number of reasons. Players not only need proper rest and recovery but can use time away from competition to work on skill development, conditioning as well as play other sports.
To meet the new tackle football guidelines, yearly schedules, including pre-season, in-season and off-season, would need to be reconfigured. Tracking will be done through an online registration system. The CIS calender was used as a framework and through the use of LTAD principles, guidelines were produced to prepare athletes for this and other high performance levels.
| Category | Weeks Per Year |
| U8 | No contact football |
| U10 | 10 + 1 Safe Contact Week |
| U12 | 12 + 1 Safe Contact Week |
| U14 | 15 + 1 Safe Contact Week |
| U16 | 16 + 1 Safe Contact Week |
| U18 | 16 + 1 Safe Contact Week |
Some comments that Agree with Question 4:
"I agree limits need to be it in place but unsure of what that time should look like. I agree there are plenty of non-contact options to develop."
"That seems like a reasonable season time frame for each of those age groups."
Some comments that Neither Agree nor Disagree with Question 4:
"Find it a little confusing on what is meant by the number of weeks - preseason, in season, etc."
"I have more of a concern with consecutive seasons rather than capping weeks in a calendar year . IE Spring Football with a 10 week recovery prior to HS."
"I have more of a concern with consecutive seasons rather than capping weeks in a calendar year . IE Spring Football with a 10 week recovery prior to HS."
Some comments that Disagree with Question 4:
"Likening this based on a CIS model Is inappropriate. Many teams use early season practice for conditioning and non contact drills. By limiting time to practice leading up to a10 game schedule results in poor quality football at all levels and weakens the sport. We also run the risk of driving away coaches and players by reducing the amount of time participate in this game. We weaken the game."
"I think limiting the number of weeks that football can be played is not okay. Take hockey for example, if a player is serious about playing hockey they will mostly likely play hockey almost year round, the same goes for football, spring and fall. The off-season is the winter."
"Does this mean a player can no longer participate in summer football and then high school football? If a player is "burnt out" then he wouldn't sign up for a second season in the same calendar year. I don't think it's Football Canada's place to determine when players are burnt out or need recovery between seasons. That decision is up to the individual player."