US Lacrosse Community Forum

2018 MAJOR RULE CHANGES

For the 2018 season the Men’s Game Rules Subcommittee made a small number of revisions to the rules but made several clari cations based on questions that came in throughout the 2017 season. All rule revisions are listed below but both rule revisions and clari cations appear with a screen background through this rulebook. They also created a new appendix that lists several experimental rules for the teams, leagues, and tournaments to try that are being considered for the 2019 season.

(Game Format) – Rule Change

1. (All Levels) 4.8.1 - A goal shall be counted as long as the ball has been released from the players stick prior to the expiration of a period.

2. (All Levels) 5.7 - Contact of any degree made to an opponent head while actively making a stick check is a slashing penalty.

3. (All Levels) 5.10 - Spectators in addition to players, coaches, and team personnel can cause a time-serving unsportsmanlike penalty.

4. (6U, 8U, 10U, 12U) 1.2.1 – The Uni ed Small Sided Field Diagram is now an allowable alternative to the existing boys’ 60 x 35 yard eld.

5. (6U, 8U, 10U, 12U) 4.31 – In the event that a loose ball cannot be picked up due to three or more players being caught
   in a scrum or scramble of cials should wait approximately four seconds before stopping play and awarding the ball via alternate possession rules.

6. (10U, 12U, 14U) 5.10 – The second and subsequent violations by a team when their defensive player enters the crease and assumes the position of a goalie shall result in a releasable unsportsmanlike penalty served by the offending player.

BOYS’ YOUTH RULEBOOK | 5

7. (10U, 12U, 14U) 6.10 – When stalling rules are applied, they will remain in effect until a shot hits the goal pipe, goalie, or the goalie’s equipment in addition to the existing rules for stopping a stall warning.

8. (10U) 2.1.1 – A team may have a maximum of two players using long crosses (47-54 inches in length), not counting the goalkeeper’s crosse, in the game at any time.

9. (12U – 7 v 7 Format) 2.1.1 – A team may have a maximum of three players using long crosses (52-72 inches in length), not counting the goalkeeper’s crosse, in the game at any time.

2018 POINTS OF EMPHASIS 

SPORTSMANSHIP – Players, coaches, of cials and spectators should exhibit the highest levels of sportsmanship and congeniality at all times. Coaches, of cials and spectators are all partners in providing the best possible experience for youth players. Unsportsmanlike conduct by coaches, players or spectators degrades the experience of youth players and discourages people from becoming or continuing as of cials or coaches. This behavior erodes the integrity and appeal of our sport. Therefore, unsportsmanlike conduct should not be tolerated. US Lacrosse expects of cials to enforce the unsportsmanlike conduct rules without hesitation.

STICK CHECKS TO THE HEAD – In youth lacrosse, stick contact to the head while actively making a stick check is a slash. This rule change will allow for more consistent penalty calling by of cials and helps mitigate injury risk since the minimum amount of force needed to cause a concussion is still unknown and concussions can occur at relatively low levels of force. Coaches are encouraged to teach controlled stick checking techniques and of cials are expected to penalize stick checks to the head with a minimum of a 1-minute releasable personal foul.

MOUTH GUARDS – In 2017, the foul for a mouth guard violation was changed from a personal foul to a technical foul to encourage penalty enforcement for those who violate the rule. Coaches should encourage players to wear mouth guards at all times and of cials are expected to call the foul.

AGE APPROPRIATE RULES - The US Lacrosse rules are supported by the concepts detailed in the Lacrosse Athlete Development Model (LADM). As such, players should be participating with age- appropriate rules which include, but are not limited to, eld sizes, stick lengths, body contact and stick contact.

EXPERIMENTAL RULES - In order to test rule proposals submitted to US Lacrosse, the Men’s Rules Subcommittee encourages leagues and tournaments to try several experimental rules listed in Appendix VIII. Leagues and tournaments that have either positive or negative feedback on the experimental rules are encouraged to send their feedback to boysrules@uslacrosse.org with the words Experimental Rules in the subject heading.

6U BOYS’ LACROSSE

In the event situations or questions arise that are not directly addressed in the 6U Rules, the 14U Rules and Approved Rulings (ARs) shall apply. Please contact US Lacrosse if you would like additional clari cation.

Philosophy of 6U Lacrosse

6U lacrosse is the rst experience with the sport of lacrosse for many young athletes. The boys entering at this point have a vast difference in their physical and cognitive developments. The game they play should be designed to “level the playing eld” and provide opportunity for any and every child that wants to participate. The emphasis at this age group should be to instill a love and excitement of playing, while developing fundamental movement skills that will be valuable in any future athletic endeavors.

Careful planning must be used to ensure that the environment is inclusive of all athletes, provides multiple opportunities for each athlete to “touch” the ball, encourages experimentation, and is a place that the athlete will want to come back to again and again, helping to develop physical literacy.

With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and of cials should emphasize:

- FUN

- Simple rules of play

- Good Sportsmanship

2017 US LACROSSE 6U RULES 

6U BOYS’ GAME SUMMARY AND EQUIPMENT

• 3 v 3 play, with no goalkeepers

• 60 x 35 yard eld, adjustable for local conditions

• 3’x3’ goals

• No team timeouts

• Mini stick type crosses recommended

• Soft lacrosse balls

• Mouth guards are mandatory. Lacrosse gloves and eyewear are optional. Helmets, shoulder pads, and arm guards are not permitted.

6U BOYS’ RULES OVERVIEW

• No body contact allowed

• No stick-on-stick or stick-on-body contact allowed

• No faceoff

• No offside

6U RULES BOYS’ YOUTH RULEBOOK | 9

LACROSSE TERMINOLOGY

ASSIST: when one player passes the ball to another and it leads directly to a goal without the scorer having to dodge a defender.

CREASE VIOLATIONS/GOALKEEPER INTERFERENCE:

When the defensive team has possession of the ball, infringements of the rules involving the crease shall be penalized as follows (rather than under the general rules for technical fouls):

a. Any crease violation or interference with the goalkeeper of a technical nature while the ball is in possession of the defensive team outside of the crease shall result in a slow-whistle, ag-down situation.

b. Any crease violation or interference with the goalkeeper while he and the ball are in the crease, whether or not he has possession of the ball, shall be a play-on. If the goalkeeper has possession and fails to run the ball out of the crease or successfully complete an outlet pass, the ball is awarded to his team in its offensive side of the eld at the Center. If the ball is loose in the crease and the goalkeeper gains possession, the play-on is over.

DEFENSIVE AREA: The area at both ends of the eld that is below the restraining lines and above the end line.

DELAYED WHISTLE (FLAG DOWN): when a team in possession is fouled, a ag is thrown but no whistle will sound to stop play until the fouled team loses possession or ball has gone out of the box.

CENTER LINE/MID LINE: the line across the center of the eld of play. CHECKS INVOLVING THE HEAD/NECK:

(1) A player shall not initiate contact to an opponent’s head or neck with a cross check or any part of his body (head, elbow, shoulder, etc.). Any follow-through from these actions that contacts the head or neck shall also be considered a violation of this rule.

(2)  A player shall not initiate an excessive, violent or uncontrolled slash to the head/neck.

(3)  A player, including an offensive player in possession of the ball, shall not block an opponent with the head or initiate contact with the head (known as spearing).

CLEAR: Transitioning the ball from the defensive half to the offensive half

CONDUCT FOUL:

(1)  A coach shall not enter the eld of play without the permission of an of cial, except to attend to an injured player, to warm up a goalkeeper, or during half time.

(2)  During play, the coaches’ area is restricted to coaches. All other personnel shall stay outside the coaches’ area.

(3)  A player, coach, athletic trainer or other person of cially connected with a team shall not:

(4) Use articial audio enhancement aids (e.g., electronic devices, megaphones) in communicating with players on the eld.

(5) Commit any act considered misconduct by an of cial.

CREASE: a circle around the goal with a radius of 9 feet into which only defensive players may enter.

CROSS CHECK: a player may not check his opponent with that part of the handle of the crosse that is between the player’s hands, either by thrusting away from the body or by holding it extended from the body.

DODGE: a move by the ball carrier to advance past a defender. EJECTION: A player, coach, or anyone of cially connected with the team shall be ejected for:

a. Deliberately striking or attempting to strike anyone or leaving the bench area during an altercation.
b. Second non releasable, unsportsmanlike foul.
c. Any action deemed by the of cials to be agrant misconduct.

EXTRA MAN OFFENSE (EMO): a man advantage resulting from an opponent’s time-serving penalty. Also known as “man-up.”

FACEOFF: this technique is used to put the ball in play at the start of the game, each quarter, half, or after a goal is scored.

FOULING OUT: Any player who accumulates 3 personal fouls or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time shall be disquali ed from the game. A substitute for that player may enter the game when the disquali ed player would have been permitted to re-enter had he not fouled out.

GOAL LINE EXTENDED (GLE): an imaginary line that extends beyond the goal line and continues to the sidelines.

HOLDING (Illegal): A player shall not impede the movement of an opponent or his crosse. Hold is considered illegal under the following conditions:

a. Use the portion of the handle that is between his hands to hold an opponent.
b. Step on the crosse of an opponent.
c. Hold an opponent with his crosse.

d. Hold or pin an opponent’s crosse against the body of the opponent with his crosse.
e. Hold an opponent with his free hand that is off the crosse. f. Hold the crosse of the opponent using any part of his body. g. Use his crosse to hold or pin an opponent’s crosse to the ground on a face-off.

HOLDING (Legal): Holding is legal under the following conditions:

a. An opponent with possession of the ball or within 3 yards of a loose ball may be held from the front or side.
b. An opponent in possession of the ball may be played with a hold check from the rear if the hold exerts no more than equal pressure. For (a) and (b), a hold check shall be done with either closed hand, shoulder or forearm; and both hands shall be on the crosse.

c. A player may hold the crosse of an opponent with his crosse when that opponent has possession of the ball
d. A player within 3 yards of a loose ball may hold the crosse of his opponent with his own crosse.

ILLEGAL BODY CHECK:

(1) Body-checking of an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within three yards of a loose ball.

(5)  An Excessive Body-Check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

(Note: If a player who is about to be body-checked turns his back, jumps or moves in such a manner to make what started out to be a legal check appear illegal, no foul is committed by the player applying the body-check)

ILLEGAL CROSSE: A player may not use a crosse that does not conform to required speci cations detailed in Appendix IV.

Penalty: A crosse found illegal due to a deep pocket will carry a 1-minute non releaseable foul. All other crosse violations for non- conformance will result in a 3-minute non-releasable penalty and the stick will be disquali ed for the rest of the game.

ILLEGAL OFFENSIVE SCREENING: No offensive player shall move into and make contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking a defensive player from the man he is playing, nor shall the offensive player hold his crosse rigid or extend his crosse rigid to impede the normal movements of the defensive man. If contact is made between offensive and defensive players as a result of the offensive player’s setting a screen, the offensive player shall be stationary before the contact occurs, with his feet no wider than shoulder-width apart.

ILLEGAL PROCEDURE: Any action on the part of players or substitutes of a technical nature that is not in conformity with the rules and regulations governing the play of the game shall be termed illegal procedure.

The following are examples of illegal procedure:

a. Touching the ball – A player shall not touch the ball with his hands while it is in play. The exception is the goalkeeper while both he and the ball are inside the crease.
b. Illegal actions with crosse – A player shall not:

1. Throw his crosse under any circumstances.

2. Take part in the play of the game in any manner without his crosse when (a) a player lose his crosse in any legal way, so that repossession of the crosse would cause him to violate a rule, the slow-whistle shall be employed by an of cial (b) Should a crosse be in the crease so as to possibly interfere with the goalkeeper’s play of an attempted shot at the goal, play shall be suspended immediately.

3. Intentionally kick an opponent’s crosse.

c. Crosse in face of opponent – A player shall not push at, thrust or ick his crosse in the face of an opponent.
d. Avoidable lateness of team – When a team fails to appear on the eld ready to play at the appointed time for the start of a contest, and this tardiness is avoidable.
e. Entering the game from the penalty area before authorized
to do so by the timekeeper. The player shall be returned to the penalty area to serve his remaining time, plus 30 seconds. If the ball is loose or in possession of the player’s own team, it shall be awarded to the opposing team and the player leaving the penalty area early does not have to serve an additional 30 seconds. In
the event that a goal is scored by the opponent, the unexpired penalty time is nulli ed, and the 30-second penalty is erased.
f. Delaying the game – When it is a team delay, the penalty shall be assigned to the in-home. Delaying the game shall be the consuming of more than 20 seconds:
g. Participation in the play of the game by a player out of bounds. h. Any player not in his restraining area at the time the whistle is blown to start play at the time of a faceoff.
i. Failure to remain 5 yards from a player awarded the ball for a restart. j. Any violation of the rules for substituting players.
k. Any violation of the rules relating to the goal-crease area.
l. Any violation of the rules for time-outs.
m. Having more than 10 players in the game at any time, including a player or players in the penalty area.
n. Violation of the rules on positioning for a faceoff. Award the ball to offended team in its offensive side of the eld at Center. (See Rule 7.3)

o. If a head coach makes two or more requests in which no violations are found for either counting of long crosses or inspecting any opponents’ equipment, a time-out will be charged. If no time-outs remain for that half or overtime period, a technical foul will be called.

p. Having more than four long crosses in the game.
q. Failure of the player in possession of the ball to place the ball directly on the eld or hand it to the nearest of cial on a change of possession. An example is if the player rolls the ball away or creates a delay or disadvantage to the team being awarded the ball.
r. Failure to advance the ball beyond the center line into the goal area within 10 seconds as required, or upon gaining possession of the ball inside the defensive half of the eld, to advance the ball beyond the center line within 20 seconds.
s. Failure to provide a scorebook, timing device, table and working horn. t. Failure to have a clearly marked center line that runs the entire width of the eld.
u. Failure to have a properly equipped designated goalkeeper on the eld of play.
v. When no player from the team awarded possession picks up the ball and moves to the position of the restart within ve seconds after the of cials are ready to restart play.
w. Take a dive or feign a slash to the head or body in order to deceive the of cial and draw a penalty.
x. Failure to wear required mouthpiece (unless it comes out during play).

INTERFERENCE: A player shall not interfere in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in ight and within 3 yards of the players, or both players are within 3 yards of a loose ball.

LOOSE BALL: a ball that is not in possession of a player is referred to as a loose ball.

MAN DOWN DEFENSE: the defense plays with at least a one-man disadvantage due to teammates serving penalties.

OFFSIDE: A team is considered offside when a team has more than 6 players in its offensive half of the eld or more than 7 players in its defensive half of the eld.

ON-THE-FLY SUBSTITUTION: a substitution made during play.

PENALTIES: the penalty for a technical foul is loss of possession or 30 seconds. The penalty for a personal foul is 1-3 minutes and/or expulsion. Penalties can be releasable or non releasable after a score.

PICK: an offensive maneuver in which a stationary and motionless player attempts to block the path of a defender guarding another player.

POCKET: the strung part of the head of the stick which holds the ball. Sticks with pockets not to speci cation may be removed from the game and may also lead to penalties.

PUSHING: A player shall not thrust or shove an opponent from the rear. A push is exerting pressure after contact is made and is not a violent blow. Pushing is permitted from the front or side when an opponent has possession of the ball or is within 3 yards of a loose ball. In this case, pushing shall be done with either closed hand, shoulder, or forearm, and both hands shall be on the crosse.

RAKING THE BALL: At no time may a eld player use the back of his crosse to cover or rake the ball backwards. They may only use a forward scooping motion to attempt to gain possession of the ball. EXCEPTIONS: Goalkeepers in the crease and face-off players may rake the ball in order to gain possession. (Note: Raking the Ball is only a technical foul at 6U, 8U and 10U).

RE-DODGE: can be from behind the goal or up top. A player dodges, can make a two or three step drop, then re-dodge back towards the goal.

RELEASE: the term used by a timekeeper to notify a penalized player in the box that he may re-enter the game.

RIDE: The defending team will try to prevent their opponent from clearing the ball, thereby creating a turnover.

SCORER’S TABLE: the table and area between the benches at mid eld where time and score are kept, penalties are served and some substitutions are made.

SHAFT: the stick’s handle, the shaft, may be made of aluminum, wood, or composite material and is connected to the stick head.

SLASHING:

1. (1)  Swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.

2. (2)  Striking an opponent in an attempt to dislodge the ball from his crosse, unless the player in possession, in an attempt to protect his crosse, uses some part of his body other than his head or neck to ward off the thrust of the defensive player’s crosse and, as a result, the defensive player’s crosse strikes some part of the attacking player’s body other than his head or neck. NOTE: Contact of any degree made to an opponent head while actively making a stick check is a slashing penalty.

3. (3)  Striking an opponent in any part of the body with the crosse (including its end cap), except when done by a player in the act of passing, shooting or attempting to scoop the ball. In all situations, the player’s gloved hand shall be considered part of the crosse, except when in contact with a line marking.

4. (4)  One-handed checks shall be considered a slash, whether or not it makes contact with the opposing player. If the defensive player’s hand comes off his stick in his legitimate follow- through motion after, or during his recovery from, a controlled poke check, this need not be considered a slash solely because his hand came off the stick.

STALLING:

(1) It shall be the responsibility of the team in possession to attack the goal. A team in possession of the ball in its offensive half of the eld may be warned to “get it in/keep it in.” This warning shall be made when, in the judgment of the of cials, that team is keeping the ball from play by not attacking the goal. A visual 10-second count will start when warning the team to “get it in.” If the offensive team has the ball in the goal area, the defensive team must attempt to play the ball within the goal area in order for a stalling warning to be issued against the offensive team. The stalling warning remains in effect until a goal is scored; a shot hits the goal pipes, the goalie or his equipment: the defensive team gains possession of the ball or the quarter ends resulting in a faceoff. After the team has been warned, stalling shall be called if the ball leaves the goal area in any manner other than as a result of a shot on goal or a touch by the defensive team.

BOYS’ YOUTH RULEBOOK | 81

(2) During the last two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules are in effect for the team that is ahead by 4 goals or less. When the score differential is 5 goals or more, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the goal area.

STICK CHECK: using stick-to-stick contact to try to dislodge the ball.

TRIPPING: Tripping is obstructing an opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs, by any positive primary action if the obstructing player is on his feet or by any secondary action when the obstructing player is not on his feet. When a player legally checks the crosse of a opponent and the result is to cause the opponent to trip over his own crosse, no foul is committed. Similarly, if an opponent falls over a player’s crosse when that player is attempting to scoop a loose ball, no foul has been committed.

UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS:

(1) An excessively violent infraction of the rules against holding and pushing.

(2) Deliberate and excessively violent contact made by a defensive player against an offensive player who has established a screening position.

(3) Any avoidable act on the part of a player that is deliberate and excessively violent, whether it be with the body or crosse. This may include a legal body check.

PENALTY: Penalty for unnecessary roughness fouls are a One, Two, or Three-minute non releasable foul, at the of cial’s discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (Releasable):

(4) A second violation for a team that has a defensive player, other than a properly equipped goalkeeper, that enters his own crease with the perceived intent on blocking a shot or acting as a goalkeeper.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (Non Releasable):

(2)  No player, substitute, nonplaying member of a squad, coach or spectator shall:

d. Deliberately use his hand or ngers to play the ball or grab an opponent’s crosse with the open hand or ngers on a faceoff. (Note: Inadvertent touching of the ball when the hand is grasping the stick on a faceoff should not be called as an unsportsmanlike conduct foul).

*Note: If a spectator is verbally abusive to players, coaches, or game of cials, the of cial will suspend the game and instructs both coaches to address the spectator in question. If the conduct by the spectator continues the team associated with the offending spectator shall be assessed a 1 minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Any continued unsportsmanlike behavior by the spectator can result in Rule 8: Game Termination.

USE OF ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT: A player may not use equipment that does not conform to speci cations. The ngers/palms of a player’s hands must be completely covered by his gloves and the gloves may not be altered in a way that compromises their protective features. Use of illegal equipment or failure to properly wear mandatory equipment will be penalized as a non releasable foul.

WARDING OFF: A player in possession of the ball shall not use
his free hand or arm or any other part of his body to hold, push or control the direction of the movement of the crosse or body of the player applying the check. A player in possession of the ball may protect his crosse with his hand, arm or other part of his body when his opponent makes a play to check his crosse.

WITHHOLDING BALL FROM PLAY: When a loose ball is on the ground, a player shall not lie on the ball, trap it with his crosse longer than is necessary for him to control the ball and pick it
up with one continuous motion, or withhold the ball from play in any other manner. A player, players or team shall not deliberately withhold the ball from play. Repeated actions of this nature shall be ruled unsportsmanlike conduct.

GOALIE TERMINOLOGY

CHECK: tells a defender a pass is being made to an area for a potential shot, defender must be ready to clamp down on, or “check,” the offensive player’s stick.

DRIVE/PUSH: tells defender the offensive player is coming too close to the goal and he needs to push him away from the goal.

MATCH-UP: a call given by the goalie to tell each defender to nd his man and call out his number.

SHOT: tells defender that offense is a threatening position to shoot, must step up and block or push out.

BREAK: tells the defense that a save has been made and the goalie is looking for outlets to clear the ball out of the crease.

Appendix II

Appendix III

LIGHTNING POLICY

The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a default policy to those responsible for making decisions concerning the suspension and restarting of contests based on the presence of lightning. The preferred sources from which to request such a policy for your facility would include your state high school association and the nearest of ce of the National Weather Service.

PROACTIVE PLANNING

1. Assign staff to monitor local weather conditions before and during events.

2. Develop an evacuation plan, including identi cation of appropriate nearby shelters.

3. Develop criteria for suspension and resumption of play:

a. Thirty-minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder is heard or ash of lightning is witnessed prior to resuming play.

b. Any subsequent thunder or lightning after the beginning of the 30 minute count, reset the clock and another 30 minute count should begin.

c. Hold periodic reviews for appropriate personnel.

d. When thunder is heard, or a cloud-to-ground lightning bolt is seen, the thunderstorm is close enough to strike your location with lightning. Suspend play and take shelter immediately.

For more detailed information, refer to the “Position Statement: Lightning Policy” on the US Lacrosse web site at uslacrosse.org/ safety/risk-management-emergency-plans/position-statement-on- lightning-policy

Appendix IV

CONCUSSIONS

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that interferes with normal brain function. An athlete does not have to lose consciousness (be “knocked out”) to have suffered a concussion.

Common Symptoms of Concussion Include:

• headache

• fogginess

• dif culty concentrating

• easily confused

• slowed thought processes

• difficulty with memory

• nausea

• lack of energy, tiredness

• dizziness, poor balance

• blurred vision

• sensitive to light and sounds

• mood changes- irritable, anxious, or tearful

SUGGESTED CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT:

1. No athlete should return to play (RTP) or practice on the same day of a concussion.

2. Any athlete suspected of having a concussion should be evaluated by an appropriate health-care professional that day.

3. Any athlete with a concussion should be medically cleared by an appropriate health-care professional prior to resuming participation in any practice or competition.

4. After medical clearance, RTP should follow a step-wise protocol with provisions for delayed RTP based upon return of any signs or symptoms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

uslacrosse.org/sites/default/ les/public/documents/safety/cmp- guidelines-2017.pdf

Appendix V

BALL & CROSSE SPECIFICATIONS

LACROSSE BALL SPECIFICATION

6U and 8U: Soft lacrosse balls or other soft athletic balls of similar or larger diameter.

10U, 12U, and 14U: The ball shall be white, yellow, orange, lime green, or pink and meet the current NOCSAE lacrosse ball standard at the time of manufacture. All game balls must include labeling which states “Meets NOCSAE Standard.”

LACROSSE HEAD SPECIFICATIONS

(A) HEAD DIMENSIONS

The head of the crosse at its widest point shall measure a minimum of 6 inches and a minimum of 10 inches from the top of the crosse head to bottom of the wall. Both NFHS and NCAA stick speci cations are legal for youth lacrosse.

(B) SHOOTING STRINGS

Any laces or stings must be located within 4 inches of the top of the crosse head.

(C) STRINGS OUTSIDE OF CROSSE

Any strings or leathers hanging off the crosse must measure 2 inches or less.

POCKET DEPTH TEST AND CROSSE LENGTHS

POCKET DEPTH TEST

The pocket shall be deemed to have sagged too deeply if the top surface of a lacrosse ball, when the ball is placed in the crosse,
is below the bottom edge of the sidewall (this does not apply to goalies).

(A) CROSSE LENGTHS

Appendix VI

 ALTERNATIVE FIELD DIAGRAMS

(See USLacrosse.org for AFD)

Appendix VII

EXPERIMENTAL RULES

In order to test rule proposals that have been submitted to US Lacrosse, the Men’s Rules Subcommittee is encouraging leagues and tournaments to try out the following experimental rules. Leagues and tournaments using these rules are encouraged to send their feedback to boysrules@uslacrosse.org with Experimental Rules in the subject heading.

Excessive Possession

One of the objectives at this level is to encourage team play as opposed to purely individual play. Therefore, if both coaches agree or if the organizing authority approves, a player who withholds the ball from play by continuing to maintain possession for more than 5-7 seconds, without passing or shooting, will be assessed a technical foul and possession of the ball will be awarded to the offended team.

Offside (10U)

Incorporate offside back into play to see if it encourages more passing and increased ball control by players.

Attack and Defensive In-Home Players

Teams will nominate a starting defensive player and starting attack player as in-home. Defensive in-home players are used if a goalie commits a foul and their teams does not have another properly equipped goalie to be a replacement. In this case, the goalie can remain in the game and the nominated in-home will serve the goalie’s penalty.

Extended Play During the Last 2 Minutes (12U and 14U)

During a game with a low score differential and less than 2 minutes of time left, it is permissible to extend the length of the game for the team that is losing by the amount of penalty time being served by their opponent.

a. Situation: Team A is ahead by 1 goal and there are 25 seconds remaining in the game. Team A commits a 1-minute slashing penalty. In this instance, the game would be extended to the full penalty time so that Team B would have the opportunity to use its full 1-minute man-up, rather than just the remaining 25 seconds.

Eliminate the “Get it In and Keep It in” in Final 2 MInutes

Eliminate the automatic get it in and keep it in procedure during the last 2 minutes of play, and allow of cials to determine when play is being stalled by using the existing rules of play.

-Written and Published by US Lacrosse