Activity Safety Plan

Hockey Field (Grades K-12)

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Description

Field Hockey

Field hockey is a team sport played on grass or artificial turf, where players use curved sticks to hit a small, hard ball into the opponent’s goal. It is one of the oldest known stick-and-ball games and is played globally at recreational, school, collegiate, and professional levels.

Overall Activity Risk Classification (High, Moderate, Low)

High.

Follow all divisional protocols when planning high risk activities.

Risk Management

  • Consult Risk Management for additional general safety requirements and outside provider guidelines.

K-8 Interschool

  • If the activity includes fitness development activities (training) consult Fitness Activities for additional safety requirements.

Grades 9-12 Interschool

  • All stick infraction rules must be implemented. Consult the International Hockey Federation Rulebook.
  • If this activity includes fitness development activities (training) and/or resistance/weight training consult Fitness Activities and Weight Training for additional safety requirements.

Equipment

Curricular / Intramural

  • Determine that all equipment is safe for use (for example, no sharp corners, cracks, or splinters). Students must be encouraged to report equipment problems to the teacher.
  • Use equipment suitable to age and ability of students (for example, cosom/DOM Super-Safe sticks and a soft ball).
  • Regulation field hockey sticks and regulation field hockey ball may be used.  Sticks must be checked regularly for cracks.
  • If playing with regulation field hockey sticks and a regulation field hockey ball then shin guards must be made available to all players.
  • If a regulation ball is used then the goalie must wear a properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) CSA approved hockey helmet with cage and full goalie equipment including throat protector.
  • If using cosom/DOM Super-Safe then the goalie must wear a protective goalie mask (for example, properly fitted as per manufacturer’s guidelines) or a properly worn hockey helmet with cage or floor hockey goalie mask.

Interschool

  • Determine that all equipment is safe for use (for example, no sharp corners, cracks, or splinters). Students must be encouraged to report equipment problems to the coach.
  • Protective equipment must not be altered.
  • Regulation field hockey sticks and regulations field hockey balls must be used.
  • Sticks must be checked regularly for cracks.
  • Shin guards must be made available to all players.
  • A mouth guard must be worn by all players during all games and practices.
  • Goalkeeper’s Equipment:
    • Gloves, properly fitted (as per manufacturer’s guidelines) and properly worn CSA approved hockey helmet and face mask, chest protector, lower abdominal protector, goalie pads and kickers and throat protector must be worn by goalkeeper or designated kicking back.

Clothing/Footwear/Jewellery

Curricular / Intramural

  • Activity appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn. Cleats are not permitted.
  • No exposed jewelry permitted.
  • When long hair poses a safety risk it must be secured. Devices (for example, hair pins, elastics and barrettes) used to tie back long hair must not present a safety concern.

Interschool

  • Molded cleats or turf shoes may be worn.
  • The wearing of jewelry during practices and competitions must meet the rules of the governing body of the sport/activity, MHSAA, and the local athletic association. Consult the General Safety Standards for Clothing, Footwear, and Jewelry when jewelry is not addressed by the governing body of the sport/activity, MHSAA, or the local athletic association.
  • Activity appropriate clothing and footwear must be worn.
  • When long hair poses a safety risk it must be secured. Devices (for example, hair pins, elastics and barrettes) used to tie back long hair must not present a safety concern.

Facilities

Curricular / Intramural

  • Teachers must determine that all facilities are safe for use. Students must be encouraged to report facility concerns to the teacher.
  • The playing surface and the surrounding area must be free of obstacles and must provide safe footing and traction.
  • The playing surface must not have any hazards (for example, holes, glass, rocks, sprinkler heads, sewer grates), and severely uneven surfaces must be identified.  The conditions must be made safe, or the activity must be modified or moved to a safe location. Hazards which cannot be removed must be brought to the attention of the participating students and a plan created to avoid the hazards. Teacher must notify the principal/designate of unsafe field conditions.
  • Walls, stages, equipment, trees, and posts must not be used as turning points, finish lines, end zones, or boundaries. Use visual markers such as lines or pylons to establish clearly delineated boundary lines in advance of the hazards.
  • Consult General Safety Standards for Facilities for information related to the safe operation of gym divider doors and/or curtains.
  • When warm-ups (runs) take place off the school site:
    • Teachers must complete a ‘walk through’ of the route to identify any potential hazards.
    • Prior to the warm-up teachers must communicate the route to students and identify any hazards (for example, areas to approach with caution).
    • Teachers must directly supervise students if they are to cross busy intersections.

Portable Goalposts

  • A portable goal is described as a freestanding structure that can be moved to different locations.
  • Prior to use, portable goals must be checked to ensure they are fastened down and will not tip over.
  • A portable goal must only be used on a level surface and must be se securely anchored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • When there are no instructions:
    • If outdoors, attach the goals securely to the ground; or
    • If indoors, attach the goals securely to the floor or the wall.
  • If there are no straps/clamps, another system may be used to prevent tipping of portable goals (for example, weighted materials/object).
  • The netting on goal posts must conform to the sport governing organization or local athletic association regulations.
  • Portable goals must be inspected on a regular basis to identify anything that would hinder effective movement (for example, defective wheels).
  • Students must be instructed to not climb, hang, or swing on the goals.
  • Portable goals that are not in use (in storage) must be secured in such a way that they do not pose a tipping hazard (for example, taken apart, chained face to face).

The Moving of Portable Goalposts

  • The teacher must provide instructions to the students regarding the safe movement of portable goals. Only students who have been properly trained can assist the teacher with moving portable goals. Constant visual supervision is required.
  • When moving portable goals, the teacher must establish and direct students to a designated area away from the path of the moving portable goals.

Interschool

  • Coaches must determine that all facilities are safe for use. Students must be encouraged to report facility concerns to the coach.
  • The playing surface and the surrounding area must be free of obstacles and must provide safe footing and traction.
  • Practices: The playing surface must not have any hazards (for example, holes, glass, rocks, sprinkler heads, sewer grates), and severely uneven surfaces must be identified.  The conditions must be made safe, or the activity must be modified or moved to a safe location. Hazards which cannot be removed must be brought to the attention of the participating students and a plan created to avoid the hazards. The coach must notify the principal/designate of unsafe field conditions.
  • Competitions: Where hazardous conditions that cannot be avoided are identified by the coach and/or officials the conditions must be made safe or the competition must be cancelled or moved to a safe location. The coach must notify principal/designate of unsafe field conditions.
  • Walls, stages, equipment, trees, and posts must not be used as turning points, finish lines, end zones, or boundaries. Use visual markers such as lines or pylons to establish clearly delineated boundary lines in advance of the hazards.
  • Consult General Safety Standards for Facilities for information related to the safe operation of gym divider doors and/or curtains.
  • When warm-ups. training runs, and/or the running activity takes place off the school site:
    • Coaches must complete a ‘walk through’ of the route to identify any potential hazards.
    • Prior to the warm-up, training run, or running activity, teachers must communicated the route to students and identify any hazards (for example, areas to approach with caution).
    • Coaches must directly supervise students if they are to cross busy intersections.

Portable Goalposts

  • A portable goal is described as a freestanding structure that can be moved to different locations.
  • Prior to use, portable goals must be checked to ensure they are fastened down and will not tip over.
  • A portable goal must only be used on a level surface and must be se securely anchored in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • When there are no instructions:
    • If outdoors, attach the goals securely to the ground; or
    • If indoors, attach the goals securely to the floor or the wall.
  • If there are no straps/clamps, another system may be used to prevent tipping of portable goals (for example, weighted materials/object).
  • The netting on goal posts must conform to the sport governing organization or local athletic association regulations.
  • Portable goals must be inspected on a regular basis to identify anything that would hinder effective movement (for example, defective wheels).
  • Students must be instructed to not climb, hang, or swing on the goals.
  • Portable goals that are not in use (in storage) must be secured in such a way that they do not pose a tipping hazard (for example, taken apart, chained face to face).

The Moving of Portable Goalposts

  • The teacher must provide instructions to the students regarding the safe movement of portable goals. Only students who have been properly trained can assist the teacher with moving portable goals. Constant visual supervision is required.
  • When moving portable goals, the teacher must establish and direct students to a designated area away from the path of the moving portable goals.

Environmental Considerations

  • When environmental conditions (for example, humidex warnings, thunderstorms, or higher elevations of pollutants) may pose a risk to student safety, teachers must follow their school board/school protocols and procedures related to:
    • environmental conditions (consult Weather); and
    • insects
  • Students must receive instruction on safety procedures related to environmental conditions and be made aware of ways to protect themselves (for example, wearing a hat during hot sunny weather).
  • At all times the school board’s weather and insect procedures are the minimum standards. In situations where a higher standard of care is presented (for example, outside activity providers or facility/program coordinators), the higher standard of care must be followed.

Special Rules/Instructions

Curricular / Intramural

  • Sticks must remain below the waist at all times.
  • Identify a goalie crease for goalie protection.  Players other than the goalie and/or their sticks are not allowed in the crease.
  • Goalies must remain in the crease area during play.
  • Activities must be modified according to the students’ age, ability, language skills, previous experience, the number of participants, and the facility/space available.
  • When planning an activity, participant level of fitness, their previous training, and the intensity and length of time of the activity must all be taken into consideration.
  • Skills must be taught in proper progression and all activities must be based on the skills that are taught.
  • A proper warm-up and cool-down must be included.
  • Be aware of students with a medical condition (for example, asthma, anaphylaxis, casts, previous concussion) that may affect their participation. Consult Medical Conditions for additional information.
  • Students must not participate until they receive concussion information specific to school board procedures/policies, activity specific information on concussion prevention, the inherent risks of the activity, how to minimize the activity risks, and rules/procedures for safe play.
  • Students must be instructed on the importance of reporting suspected concussion symptoms.
  • For all off-site activities refer to the school board’s transportation procedures/policies related to appropriate methods of transportation, appropriate parent/guardian communication, and obtaining parent/guardian permission.
  • Activities that require students to close their eyes or be blind-folded while moving are prohibited.
  • If a student displays either verbal or non-verbal hesitation about performing a specific activity/skill then the teacher must determine the reason for hesitation.  If the teacher believes the hesitancy may put the student at risk during activity, then the student must be directed towards a more basic skill or be permitted to select a challenge that aligns with their comfort level (including choosing not to participate).
  • If a student displays either verbal or non-verbal hesitation about performing a specific activity/skill then the teacher must determine the reason for hesitation.  If the teacher believes the hesitancy may put the student at risk during activity, then the student must be directed towards a more basic skill or be permitted to select a challenge that aligns with their comfort level (including choosing not to participate).
  • Students with Additional Needs: The teacher must make appropriate accommodations/modifications to provide a safe learning environment which addresses both activity and student specific safety concerns.  Consult OPHEA’s Disability-Centred Movement: Supporting Inclusive Physical Education for supportive resources.
  • To prevent dehydration, students must have access to water fountains or personal water bottles before, during, and after the activity.

Interschool

  • All stick infraction rules must be implemented. Consult the International Hockey Federation Rulebook.
  • When planning an activity, participant level of fitness, their previous training, and the intensity and length of time of the activity must all be taken into consideration.
  • Skills must be taught in proper progression and all activities must be based on the skills that are taught.
  • A proper warm-up and cool-down must be included.
  • Be aware of students with a medical condition (for example, asthma, anaphylaxis, casts, previous concussion) that may affect their participation. Consult Medical Conditions for additional information.
  • Students must not participate until they receive concussion information specific to school board procedures/policies, activity specific information on concussion prevention, the inherent risks of the activity, how to minimize the activity risks, and rules/procedures for safe play.
  • Students must be instructed on the importance of reporting suspected concussion symptoms.
  • Prior to participation, and according to school board procedures/policies, students must provide confirmation they’ve reviewed the concussion information.
  • For all off-site activities refer to the school board’s transportation procedures/policies related to appropriate methods of transportation, appropriate parent/guardian communication, and obtaining parent/guardian permission.
  • Teach students how to walk and/or run backwards properly.  Emphasize safe, controlled movement when students walk or run backwards. Backward-running races are not permitted.
  • Activities that require students to close their eyes or be blind-folded while moving are prohibited.
  • Coaches must teach and strictly enforce sport specific rules, fair play principles, and sportsmanship.
  • To prevent dehydration, students must have access to water fountains or personal water bottles before, during, and after the activity.
  • Students may not share water bottles.
  • Parents/guardians must be informed of the school board’s initiation/hazing policy.
  • Spectators are welcome at interschool sport activities so long as they do not present a safety concern.  Hosting schools/facilities must identify locations for spectators that ensures both athlete and spectator safety.
  • Schools are responsible for supervising its own spectators. Schools are to follow their school board supervisor to spectator ratios.

Supervision

Curricular / Intramural

  • All activities must be supervised.
  • On-site supervision is required.
  • The level of supervision must commensurate with the inherent risk of the activity. The level of risk is related to the number of participants, the skill level of the participants, the type of equipment used, and environmental conditions.
  • Volunteers are allowed to assist in the supervision of physical education activities. Examples of volunteers are educational assistants, retired teachers, co-op students, parents/guardians, early childhood educators, and teacher candidates. Refer to your school board’s policy regarding volunteers. These volunteers must be accompanied by a supervisor/physical education teacher.
  • Students must be informed that using equipment and/or the gymnasium without supervision is prohibited. In addition to verbal communication, the doors must be locked or signs must be posted indicating that students are not allowed to use the gym unless appropriately supervised.

Interschool

  • On-site supervision is required.
  • All activities must be supervised.
  • The level of supervision must commensurate with the inherent risk of the activity. The level of risk is related to the number of participants, the skill level of the participants, the type of equipment used, and environmental conditions.
  • Students must be informed that using equipment and/or the gymnasium without supervision is prohibited. In addition to verbal communication, the doors must be locked or signs must be posted indicating that students are not allowed to use the gym unless appropriately supervised.
  • Coach liaison(s) will provide, at the minimum, in-the-area supervision for all practices, games, and competitions.
  • When a school team is traveling off-school site, coach liaison(s) must accompany the team and must be accessible at all times.
  • Consult school board and local athletic association rules and regulations with regard to coach and coach liaison duties and adhere to the higher standard of care.

Interschool Qualifications

  • At least one field hockey coach must possess one of the following coaching qualifications:
    • NCCP Community Sport Coach – Community Coach Course
    • NCCP Competition Coach – Competition Coach Course
    • Completion of field hockey NCCP level 1 and/or level 2 certification in the past
    • Accreditation as a NCCP Field Hockey Learning Facilitator
    • Attendance at a clinic or workshop within the last three years provided by an instructor who is knowledgeable of the activity (for example, appropriate skills and progressions), and where safety is addressed as outlined in the Manitoba Physical Activity Safety in Schools.
    • Past experience within the last 3 years as a coach in field hockey, having knowledge of the activity (for example, appropriate skills and progressions) and current safety practices as outlined in the Manitoba Physical Activity Safety in Schools.
  • Additional information on sport-specific NCCP training can be found at  coach.ca.
  • All match officials must demonstrate sufficient experience officiating the sport.  It is preferable that all match officials be sport-specific certified.
  • The head coach must demonstrate appropriate knowledge of the sport, skills, and strategies relevant to the age and skill of the participants.  This must be demonstrated to the principal or designate.
  • Coaches must follow and implement the criteria outlined in Coaches Expectations and/or the standards/criteria established by their school/school board.

First Aid

  • A fully stocked first aid kit must be readily accessible. (Consult Sample First Aid Kit)
  • A working communication device (for example, cell phone) must be accessible.
  • Schools must identify an individual to provide first aid to injured students.
  • As a minimum, this individual must have current first aid certification from a recognized first aid provider (for example, St. John Ambulance, Red Cross) that includes CPR B or C and training in head, neck and spinal injury management.  This individual must be aware of the school board’s concussion protocol, must follow the school’s first aid emergency action plan (including access to a vehicle for transportation of an injured student), and be present and readily accessible during the all practices/competitions.  This individual must not be a participant in the activity.
  • For additional information consult First Aid Plan and First Aid Emergency Response.

Definitions

Curricular / Intramural

  • In-Charge Person:
    • Some activity safety pages refer to an “In-Charge” person. The teacher is always “In-Charge” and responsible for the overall safety and well-being of students under their care.  However, sometimes other personnel must be identified as “In-Charge” related to specific situations (for example, a pool lifeguard).  In these situations where another “In-Charge” person is designated, that person in consultation with the teacher are to make final decisions regarding student safety.
  • Supervision:
    • The vigilant overseeing of an activity or sport for regulation or direction.
    • All facilities, equipment, and sports have inherent risks, but the level of risk decreases significantly with effective supervision
    • Manitoba Physical Activity Safety in Schools designate three categories of supervision:  Constant Visual Supervision, On-Site Supervision, and In-The-Area Supervision. The categories take into consideration the activity specific level of risk, the participants’ skills, and the participant level of experience. The three levels of supervision are not hierarchical but represent the type of supervision that an activity requires and the type of supervision that is inherently possible.
  • Supervisor:
    • A supervisor is defined as a teacher, vice-principal or principal with current Manitoba Teachers’ Society certification and under contract by a school/school board. The supervisor is legally responsible for the students.
  • Types of Supervision:
    • Constant Visual Supervision:
      • The teacher is physically present, watching the activity in question. Only one activity requiring “Constant Visual Supervision” may take place while other activities are going on.
      • Curricular example: During a track and field lesson, some students are practicing high jump, some practicing relay, and others practicing distance running. The teacher is at and is watching high jump.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. The intramural supervisor is at and is watching the parachute games.
    • In-the-area Supervision:
      • “In-The-Area Supervision” means that the teacher could be in the gymnasium while another activity is taking place in an area adjacent to the gymnasium.  “In-The-Area Supervision” requires the teacher to be readily accessible.
      • “In-The-Area Supervision” occurs during activities in which students may be out of sight for periods of time and the location of the teacher is not nearby (for example, alpine skiing, cross-country running) or during activities where single or multiple “In-the-Area” activities are happening at the same time (for example, a gym divided by a curtain or wall with badminton or table tennis on either side of the wall).
      • The following criteria must be in place:
        • The teacher is circulating and is readily accessible
        • The location of the teacher has been communicated to students and volunteers;
      • Curricular example: During a track and field lesson, some students are practicing high jump, some practicing relay, and others practicing distance running. For distance running, the students are running around the school and at times may be out of sight.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. For the scavenger hunt, the students are running around the school grounds and at times may be out of sight.
    • On-site Supervision:
      • The teacher is present but not necessarily constantly viewing one specific activity. Momentary presence in adjoining rooms (for example, equipment room) to the gym is considered part of “On-Site Supervision”.
      • Curricular example: During a track and field lesson, some students are practicing high jump, some practicing relay, and others practicing distance running. Students participating on the track (relay) can be seen by the teacher who is physically with the students practicing high jump.
      • Intramural example: During a school outdoor special events day, some students are involved in parachute games, some in relay games, and others in a team scavenger hunt around the school. For relay games, the students are participating on the playground and can be seen by the intramural supervisor.

Interschool

  • Coach:
    • A coach is any individual approved by the principal or designate (for example, teacher, school administrator, or non-teacher/volunteer) responsible for an interschool sport/activity.  All new coaches must go through an approval process by the school administrator/designate to determine the coach’s knowledge, experience and, where appropriate, qualifications (for example, higher risk sports) to safely coach the sport (consult Coaches Expectations).
  • Coach Liaison:
    • A coach liaison is defined as a teacher, principal, or vice-principal with current teacher certification and under contract by the school/school board who will provide appropriate support to a non-teacher/volunteer coach. Consult Coaches Expectations for more information.
  • Supervision:
    • The vigilant overseeing of a sport for regulation or direction.
    • All facilities, equipment, and sports have inherent risks, but the level of risk decreases significantly with effective supervision
    • Manitoba Physical Activity Safety in Schools has designated three categories of supervision:  Constant Visual Supervision, On-Site Supervision, and In-The-Area Supervision. The categories take into consideration the activity specific level of risk, the participants’ skills, and the participant level of experience. The three levels of supervision are not hierarchical but represent the type of supervision that an activity requires and the type of supervision that is inherently possible.
  • Types of Supervision:
    • Constant Visual Supervision:
      • The coach is physically present, watching the activity in question. Only one activity requiring “Constant Visual Supervision” may take place while other activities are going on.
      • For example, during a track and field practice, some students are practicing high jump, some practicing relay, and others practicing distance running. The coach is at and is watching high jump.
    • In-The-Area Supervision:
      • “In-The-Area Supervision” requires the coach to be readily accessible.  The coach could be in the gymnasium while another activity is taking place in an area adjacent to the gymnasium.
      • “In-The-Area Supervision” occurs during activities in which students may be out of sight for periods of time and the location of the coach is not nearby (for example, alpine skiing, cross-country running) or during activities where single or multiple “In-the-Area” activities are happening at the same time (for example, a gym divided by a curtain or wall with badminton or table tennis on either side of the wall).
      • The following criteria must be in place:
        • The coach is circulating and is readily accessible
        • The location of the coach has been communicated to students and volunteers;
    • On-Site Supervision:
      • The coach is present but not necessarily constantly viewing one specific activity. Momentary presence in adjoining rooms (for example, equipment room) to the gym is considered part of “On-Site Supervision”.
      • For example, during a track and field practice, some students are practicing high jump, some practicing relay, and others practicing distance running. Students participating on the track (relay) can be seen by the coach.
Origin Date
August 27, 2025
Last Reviewed
February 6, 2026
Next Review
TBD
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