What do OLA rules say about floor time, fair opportunities and offense/defense lines?

Question

Accepted Answer

The OLA documents reviewed do not set a minimum number of minutes per player. They say:

Fair Play Policy: coaches must provide all athletes with fair opportunities for participation, learning and growth, and ensure equal and fair treatment of all athletes regardless of ability level.
Offense/Defense (O/D) is not permitted at U9, U11 or U13 (permitted from U15). The OLA Offense Defense Policy (last amended December 6, 2025) applies to U13 and below and requires athletes to take part in both offensive and defensive situations during regular shifts.
What counts as O/D: while teams are at even strength, a player or group leaves the bench and deliberately returns without participating in both the offensive and defensive zones during the same shift. Officials may look at indicators such as substituting in direct response to changes of possession, using separate "Out/Front" and "In/Back" bench gates, or players staying at one end of the floor at full strength.
Penalty, with no warning: first offence in a game, a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct to the Head Coach. Second offence in the same game, a gross misconduct for making a travesty of the game to the Head Coach.