MLUA Scheduler Officials Update (April 22, 2021):

After a conference call with MDH & our Amatuer Sports COVID Prevention group today (4/22). Masks are now strongly recommended & not required for those refs/players actively involved in games or practices on the field! HOWEVER, here are the rest of the talking points they discussed on the call & MLUA recommendations.

1. Masks are still required for coaches/athletes/fans not involved in the game.

2. They are pushing testing every 2 weeks in schools, athletes being tested every week. Schools need to buy into these free testing kits & hoping they do, but it may be that they don't. You as refs can get these at-home kits or go to site testing locations for free test.

3. They are pushing to get 16-18 yrs old kids to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

4. Vaccination is on the honor system so be honest that you've been vaccinated!

5. If vaccinated & outside the 14-day quarantine period if you caught COVID & you don't have COVID symptoms, you do not need to quarantine anymore.

6. They are asking both teams to quarantine if there is a COVID case found amongst the players so expect that lax games may be cancelled based on this in the future.

7. MLUA still recommends that you wear a mask while administering draws or talking to players/coaches within 6' distance. This is the protocol we use in college play in some leagues & it has worked well.
   
   
   Click here for the writeup from MDH.

MSHSL Officials Update (March 15,2021 from the MLUA Schedulers):

TESTING/RULES:

For the 2021 season we will be using the 2020 version of the rules video. The rules are the same as last year except that now the chest protector is an active rule (see p. 18, rule 6-1); note that we as officials only have to ask the coaches whether they have legal, certified equipment. It’s the responsibility of the coaches to make sure the goalkeeper(s) is wearing the proper NOCSAE chest protector. The rules video will pay in its entirety with no quiz questions due to Arbiter technicalities this year.

The rules test includes rule questions from USL with an additional 10 questions. The hard copy of the rules will be available in the next week or so on MSHSL Central Hub. If you want to download the test from USL & start working on 50 of those questions, please do. Open dates for getting all the components done on MSHSL Central Hub is March 29-April 14, 2021.

NO SCRIMMAGES THIS SPRING
Due to COVID, there will be no scrimmages this spring. To get you in the rules mood to ref, there will be videos loaded in MSHSL Central Hub for rule refreshers shortly.

PAY MEMBERSHIP DUES - dues are required to each of these organizations:

• MSHSL

• US Lacrosse

• MLUA (see below)

MSHSL GLAX CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS TO OFFICIATE THIS SPRING
You will need to complete all MSHSL ref certification requirements listed below under the MSHSL Central Hub> Eligibility area of Arbiter including the rules test. Again all certification components will now be done in Arbiter, not the USL website. Here are the components that need to be completed:

• Background Check

• Official's Concussion Module

• 2020-21 School Year

• 20-21 General Officials

• 20-21 Online Rules (not listed yet, will be March 29) – open period is March 29-April 14

• 20-21 Rules Exam (not listed yet, will be March 29) – open period is March 29-April 14

GAME SCHEDULING
Please get your blocks set on Arbiter. Scheduling will begin this week (3/15/21).

MLUA ANNUAL RULES & MEMBERSHIP MEETING - watch for updates from the MLUA Board.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED WHILE OFFICIATING LACROSSE GAMES (see update above)

MSLAX (Youth Lacrosse/Community Lacrosse): Updated March 15, 2021

YOUTH GAMES: Youth games are going to be scheduled this spring including the spring tournament June 5-6 in Woodbury! There is lower team participation due to COVID so MSLax is allowing 7v7 format as well as full-team play this spring. More to come on this. Watch for more updates in the next 2-3 Weeks!

As you prepare for the 2021 season - the link below will show you examples of some items you may consider. These items can be found from a variety of vendors and sources, this link is for reference and there is no requirement that a purchase be made through this website.

Officially Sports Reusable Face Masks-PPE Products

From MLUA Board (revised March 26, 2020):

In this time of uncertainty due to the pandemic that is sweeping the globe, our #1 focus is personal health and well-being of our membership. As our world leaders continue to provide daily updates and edicts, the ability to schedule future events becomes extremely precarious. Many more variables come in to play that will impact our own personal schedules. IF and WHEN lacrosse resumes at the high school and youth levels, we will need everyone's cooperation to cover the games this spring/summer. Instead of speculating on multiple items, we know the following: we need to have some form of training and then games need be assigned and covered.

Annual Meeting

Our annual high school training has been postponed.

We are researching holding a video meeting, details pending as information and the situation evolves.

MSHSL Training

We encourage you to get the following online items done for MSHSL (located on the MSHSL Central Hub under Eligibility tab):

• Online rules meeting (both General & Lacrosse meetings)
• Concussion training
• Background check
• USL test
• State tourney application
• Entering game schedule

MSHSL Training: we are looking at online options or ways to combine it with any field training that may become available.

Q: If I am having difficulty with the online meeting, the exam or other Arbiter functions, who should I contact?
A: Officials should work directly with Arbiter using the following:
success@arbitersports.com
800-311-4060

Youth Training

Updates pending.

MLUA Dues