Weather Policies & Practice Logistics

In light of the rain on Tuesday that affected practice, the coaches wanted to provide some additional context about weather policies and practice logistics. Feel free to ask additional questions in the comments or send us an email and we will update this post.

Weather Policies

• Context: This Tuesday, moderate rain was falling at MME at school dismissal which caused some confusion about whether Narwhal practice was on or cancelled.
• Adding to the confusion, there is also an "ultimate frisbee club" that is offered at MME and is distinct from the Narwhal. The club event was cancelled and communicated by the school, so it is understandable if our players understood that Narwhal practice was cancelled as well.
• The short answer regarding weather is that the team should expect to practice and play through rain, unless otherwise communicated.
• We do not play through lightning in the area. Any sighted lightning will result in at least a 30 minute delay before returning to play. If there is a lightning delay, players should expect to move to a safe place (inside the school if we are at one, a car or other shelter if not). We cannot remain on the field during a lightning delay.
• If heavy rain compromises the field and further play could cause damage, we may cancel in order to preserve field quality, but that will be communicated in advance whenever possible.
• If there is no advance communication of a cancellation, players and parents should expect that a coach will be present. Cancellations will be posted in the blog or emailed.
• Minnesota Ultimate (MNU) also has weather policies that apply to league games and tournaments, including heat and cold parameters. MNU will make the call if weather impacts any MNU events. Narwhal Coaches will make the call on practices.
• Players and parents are always welcome to use individual judgment regarding whether it is advisable to play through any particular weather conditions. The policies above apply to go/no-go decisions for the team & league.

Practice Logistics

• Construction at MME
• MME is currently preparing for construction, which has affected the area of our practices. Fencing has been put up between the parking lot and the fields.
• We have been told that we are OK to practice at our usual location. There is a gap in the fence and we have been able to access our practice field through the gap.
• If our access through the fencing becomes restricted, we have been told that we can access the fields from the north end of the school, near the tennis courts.
• Coaches will communicate if the situation changes.

• Practice Structure
• Monday practices are "scrimmage-focused", meaning that the time will largely be used to split into teams and play in game-like situations. Coaches may interject to discuss strategy, but there is less focus on skills & drills.
• Monday practices are subject to turnout, but will be confirmed in advance by Sunday evening latest (already confirmed for 10/5)
• Tuesday (MME) & Wednesday (MMW) practices are skills-focused, with time for scrimmaging at the end. These practices are important for players to get a lot of reps and to learn team strategies.

• Skills-Practice Agenda
• 4:00 - 4:15: Players should proceed independently to the field space, put on their gear, and work on throwing one-on-one with a partner.
• 4:15 - 4:25: Team warm-ups include a jog and dynamic stretching
• 4:25 - 5:10: Team drills and chalk talk
• 5:10 - 5:30: Scrimmage
• Coaches often arrive prior to school dismissal, but in the event they are delayed, players should follow the practice agenda above (independent throwing and warm-up) until a coach arrives.

Hopefully this helps clarify expectations and policies around practices. We appreciate everybody's patience, understanding, and commitment to our Narwhal community.