the game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of individual stick skills, team...

2015 Rules for Youth Lacrosse (U15 and

below)Western Pennsy lvan ia Youth Lacrosse

Assoc iat ion

Overarching Principle

The game is to be played with emphasis on the

proper development of individual stick skills, team

play, proper safety and sportsmanship.

WPYLA v. NFHS Rules

Some rules have been written by the WPYLA and are to be used on every youth game assigned by the ALOA.

The local rules only take the NFHS rules and extend them to other age groups.

The slide titles have a (W) for WPYLA specific rules and a (N) for NFHS rules in the title.

The Boys’ Youth Rules are printed in (and modify) the 2015 NFHS Boys’ Lacrosse Rulebook.

Age Level (W)

All games are played the age level that is listed on ArbiterSports!

If ArbiterSports says the game is scheduled to be played as a U13 game but a coach wants to play it as a U15 game, it will remain a U13 game.

There are to be no exceptions to this. None.

The rules that are specified by the assigned game level on ArbiterSports will apply.

Notify Andre Sanders of any issues.

Age Levels for Play (W)

U15 A (Under age 15)

U15 B

U13 A

U13 B

U11

U9

____________________________________

U7

Slashing (N)

For ALL levels, slashing will be called for every stick check that does not make contact with the opponents stick or gloved hand.

Officials will be consistent and make these calls.

At all age groups for youth lacrosse, ANY one-handed check will be considered a slash, whether or not it makes contact with the opposing player.

Slashing (W)

ExceptWPYLA has deemed one-handed checks to

be legal at the U15 level.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct (W)

Any coach or player using derogatory language should receive a one-minute, non-releasable penalty.

Second offenses should result in three-minute, non-releasable, game expulsion foul.

Play of the Game (N)

A team can play with as few as 7 players on the field as long as both coaches agree. Regulation fields are preferred. A smaller field can be used as long as the officials and both coaches agree.

Officials will check for safety issues that may arise due to field size before agreeing to play.

Equipment (N)

All regular mandatory equipment is required during play.

Rib pads/flak jackets are encouraged but are not required equipment.

In the U11 levels and below, sticks may be as short as 37” and no longer than 42”.

If the player in possession of the ball loses any piece of required equipment, the official should stop play immediately regardless of proximity of opposing players.

Long Poles (W)

Long poles are permitted at the U15 and U13 only.

At U13 Level, the pole cannot be taller than the player.

All other levels do not allow the use of long poles (any stick that is more than 42” in length) during any part of the game.

If found, the stick will be removed from game. Penalties for this may not be necessary.

Time Factors (W)

U15 and U13 levels A & B have four 10-minute, stop time quarters.

At the U15 level, in the event of a tie, 4-minute overtime periods will be played until a winner is determined.

At the U13 level, a maximum of 2 overtime periods will be played. All overtime periods are sudden victory.

Time Factors (W)

U11 and U9 level games will have either four 8-minute stop time quarters or 12-minute running time quarters.

U11 and U9: No OT.

U7 level games will not have officials assigned.

Longer quarters than the level allows WILL NOT be played.

Extra quarters WILL NOT be played.

Time Factors (W)

Because of the potential for personal liability on the part of the officials, US Lacrosse nor the ALOA can support extended games.

Coaches may request a second game be played, with the score starting at 0-0, and can shorten the game to one quarter.

Officials shall be paid a separate game fee for the second game.

Facing Off (W)

Face-offs will occur at the beginning of each period and after a goal has been scored.

Exception: In a U11 level game or below, if a team is leading by 4 or more goals (7-1, 8-2, etc.) In this case, place the ball at midfield and restart as if it were a free clear.

The losing team may waive this privilege.

Advancing the Ball

For the U15 and U13 level, the 20-second defensive count will be used and the 10-second offensive count will be used.

For U11 level games and below, no defensive or offensive counts will be used.

For all levels, the 4-second goalie count will be applied.

Offensive Stalling (N)

The stalling rule may be applied to U15 and U13 levels, if necessary.

Discretion on the part of the official will be exercised when calling a stall to give ample time for a scoring opportunity.

The Final Two Minute stalling rule shall be ENFORCED for U15 and U13 level games but WAIVED for U11 level games and below.

Points of Emphasis

Checks to the Head/Neck

Unnecessary Roughness

Cross Check

Cross Check Hold

Violent Collisions

Sportsmanship

Equipment Inspection

Lacrosse Helmet Fitting


A growing awareness of the potentially harmful long-term effects of concussions and other head injuries, including those caused by repeated blows to the head that may not result in immediate concussions.

Rules have been revised to further discourage such contact, and provide more guidance on when more severe penalties are appropriate.


Officials are encouraged to call such violations strictly, including multiple minute penalties or ejections as warranted.

Coaches are encouraged to coach players to avoid delivering such checks, and to support the officials when they call such penalties.


Some body contact is permitted at all levels of boys’ youth lacrosse, with progressively more contact permitted as players grow and learn proper checking techniques.

However, there is no justification for deliberate and excessively violent contact by any player at any youth level.


Failure to properly instruct and enforce appropriate defensive techniques can result in an increased risk of injury to both the attacking and defending youth player.

Therefore, to further discourage excessively violent contact, any penalty for unnecessary roughness shall be non-releasable.

Cross Check

When a player uses the part of the handle that is between his hands to check an opponent, serious injury may result.

Cross Check Hold

The cross-check hold (NFHS Rule 6-3 Art 2a) is being employed with increasing regularity on the field and clearly gives an unfair advantage to the defender.

This call has not been enforced uniformly

Officials have been encouraged to call this penalty and coaches are encouraged to teach their players not to employ this technique.

All fouls under NFHS Rule 6 are 30-second technical fouls.

Violent Collisions (N)

• There is no justification for deliberate and excessively violent collision by any player at any youth level.

• This includes intentional player-to-player collisions with defenseless players (so-called “blind side” and “buddy-pass” checks), checks involving the head and/or neck, and excessive body-checks (“take-out checks”).

Sportsmanship (N)

• Tone, intent, and body language can all contribute to unsportsmanlike conduct.

• Players, coaches, and spectators should exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship at all times.

• US Lacrosse expects officials to enforce the Unsportsmanlike Conduct rules without hesitation, and further expects coaches to promote good sportsmanship among players and anybody associated with the team.

Contact (N)

• NFHS understands the need to minimize risk of injury for all players.

• NFHS realizes the need to take reasonable actions to reduce the rick of injury for all participants.

• Penalties for excessive hits to the head and neck have been revised in an effort to eliminate this type of contact from the game.

Equipment Inspection (N)

• It is being recommended that officials ensure that they assess the legality of sticks, especially those used for faceoffs.

Lacrosse Helmet Fitting (N)

• Lacrosse helmets shall meet the current NOCSAE standard and be properly fitted and worn.

• Padding of the helmet shall give firm and uniform pressure about the head.

• The skin of the forehead should move as the helmet is moved from left to right and from front to back.

• There must be a four-point chinstrap, and it should be tightened so that there is no slack.

De-certified Helmets (N)

• NOCSAE has voided the manufacturer’s certification of compliance for all manufacturing dates for these two helmets:

• Cascade Model R

• Warrior Regulator

The helmet on the left is the Warrior Regulator. It cannot be used at any level.

The helmet on the right is the Cascade Model R. Notice the “R” above the cage and to the right of the chinstrap buckle.

Please note: the Cascade models CPV-R, CPX-R and CS-R and the Warrior TII are not affected by this decision by NOCSAE.

Re-certified Helmets (N)

In mid-December, Cascade Lacrosse reached an agreement with (NOCSAE) on a solution for the recently decertified Cascade R helmet.

The solution involves a simple modification to the Cascade R helmet currently in the marketplace.

Once the certified modification has been complete, a tamper-proof sticker will be affixed to the helmet to show that it is NOCSAE certified and to differentiate it from non-certified R models.

The modified helmet will be treated as a new model, identified as the Cascade R-M.

How Cascade R Helmets Can Become

Recertified (N)Cascade will make the modification to existing helmets

at its Liverpool, N.Y. facility beginning December 16, 2014. The modification will be free of charge for consumers and retailers, including shipping.

While the certified modification is simple, Cascade Lacrosse is asking consumers to send in their helmets to Cascade to ensure the modification is done professionally and complies with the NOCSAE certification standard.

• More information is available at: http://r.cascadelacrosse.com

• When a Cascade R helmet has been returned to the manufacturer for retrofitting, the sticker illustrated above will be applied to the helmet.

• Along the right of the sticker is an RM serial number provided by Cascade, and will be considered the Cascade R-M model.

• Cascade R models that have not been retrofitted are considered illegal equipment and CANNOT be used in any game or practice.

What will officials do?

• During pregame certification, officials will add the following statement:• “Coach, are you aware that the Cascade

Model R, if not recertified, and Warrior Regulator helmet models do not meet the NOCSAE standard for lacrosse at this time and they are not legal for play?”

• if an illegal helmet is discovered during the game, live play or random and/or mandatory equipment checks by rule, a penalty should be administered based on the rules of play.

Rule 1 – The Game, Field& Equipment (N)

Player Equipment Rule 1, Section 9:

All goalkeepers are required to wear arm pads.

Facing Off Rule 4, Section 3: U9 and U11 onlyAt any point during a game when there is a

4-goal lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the 4-goal lead is maintained, unless waived by the coach of the trailing team.

Rule 4 – Play of the Game (N)


Substitution Procedures Rules 4, Section 22, Article 2: U9 and U11There will be NO SUBSTITUTION HORNS

in WPYLA. All other rules with respect to

substitutions during suspension of play shall apply.


Team Time Outs Rule 4, Section 26:

Two (2) team timeouts - of a maximum duration of two minutes each - are permitted per team per half.

Rule 5 – Personal Fouls (W)

Illegal Body Check Rule 5, Section 3:

For U15 ONLY:Limited Body Checking is permitted Body-checks that might be

acceptable in high school play may be excessive in youth lacrosse, and should be penalized accordingly.

Body Checking (W)

Body Checking is permitted in U15 ONLY.

For all other levels, all body checks should be penalized for at least one minute as an illegal body check.

Multiple offenses may result in ejection.

No take-out checks are permitted on any level and must be penalized immediately and consistently.

Body Checking

All stick checks, body checks (U15 only), legal holds, and legal pushes must be on a player in possession of the ball or within 3 yards of a loose ball or ball in flight.

Rule 5 – Personal Fouls (N)

US Lacrosse calls special attention to a rule added in 2014:

Rule 5, Section 3.5, which addresses the concept of a DEFENSELESS PLAYER


A body-check that targets a player in a defenseless position includes but is not limited to:

(i) body checking a player from his “blind side”;

(ii) body checking a player who has his head down in an attempt to play a loose ball; and

(iii) body checking a player whose head is turned away to receive a pass, even if that player turns toward the contact immediately before the body check.


The penalty for an illegal body check on a defenseless player:

Two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official’s discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.


Take-Out Check/Excessive Body-Check Rule 5, Section 3, Article 6:

Take-Out Checks/Excessive Body-Checks are prohibited at every age level.


A Take-Out Check/Excessive Body-Check is defined as:

Any body-check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

-OR-


Take-out check (cont’d)

• Any body-check considered more aggressive or more physical than necessary to stop the advancement of the player carrying the ball or to keep or move a player away from a loose ball.


• Take-out checks include, but is not limited to: - (i) any check in which a player makes

contact with sufficient force and intent to knock down the opposing player;

- (ii) any check in which a player makes contact with sufficient force and intent to injure the opposing player; or

- (iii) any check made in a reckless or intimidating manner.


ART. 7 Late Hit: An avoidable body-check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball is an illegal body check.

PENALTY: Two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official’s discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.


Checks involving the Head/Neck Rule 5, Section 4:

PENALTY: Two- or three-minute non-releasable foul, at the official's discretion. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection.

Fouling Out – U15 & U13

U15 and U13: Any player who accumulates 4 personal fouls, or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time

shall be disqualified from the game.

A substitute for that player may enter the game when the disqualified player would have been permitted to reenter had he not fouled out.

Fouling Out – U11 &U9

U11 and U9: Any player who accumulates 3 personal fouls, or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty timeshall be disqualified from the game. For U11, a substitute for that player may enter the game when the disqualified player would have been permitted to re-enter had he not fouled out. For U9, a disqualified player must leave the field, but his team may replace him with a substitute; no man-up situation should occur.

Time Serving Penalties

U15, U13, U11: Players serve time and teams play down.

U9 and below: player serves penalty time but team does not play down. ( i.e., No man up situation will result.)

In all “Running Time” games and situations, penalties will also be running time, and will begin with the next whistle resuming play. The running time penalty clock will stop for all timeouts and at the end of periods.

Termination of a Game (N)

Officials have the authority to terminate a youth game in response to flagrant acts of unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, players, spectators, etc.

If spectator related, attempts will be made to have the coach remedy the situation. It he is unable to do so and the situation continues, officials may end the game.

Finally . . .

All NFHS rules that were not discussed in this presentation still apply. What we’ve discussed here are the merely adaptations and points of emphasis for youth play.

If any questions about youth rulings come up during the season email or call John Cica

[email protected]– (412) 901-1153

Consult your rule book and notes before calling or emailing me because I will ask you what rule is in question, and where the situation is addressed in the book.

Finally (really, this time). . .

I am here to help you understand the youth rules.

I am here to help with interpreting the youth rules.

I am NOT your youth rules Wikipedia. As officials, you are expected to know the rules, just as

the coaches are expected to know them. Read the rule book.

RULES CHANGE EVERY YEAR. If you were a player, the rules are not the same as when you played. So, something you are absolutely sure about may have changed.

How will you know? READ THE RULE BOOK.

the game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of individual stick skills, team...

Documents

u13 game

u15 game

youth game

nfhs rules

assigned game level

local rules

boys youth rules

wpyla specific rules