SBMSA Boys Lacrosse Policies and Procedures Table of Contents Page Article I. Information and Rules...1 Article II. Points of Emphasis...4 Article III. Penalties and Fouls...5 Article IV. Sportsmanship and Conduct...9 Article V. Adverse Weather Policy...11 Article I. Information and Rules SBMSA Lacrosse will utilize the rules developed for youth lacrosse by US Lacrosse with the following modifications. These Policies and Procedures do not contain all rules and regulations applicable to SBMSA youth lacrosse games, but rather they supplement and amend US Lacrosse youth lacrosse rules as set forth herein. The US Lacrosse rules may be accessed at www.uslacrosse.org by clicking the Rules tab. Section 1.01 Field Dimensions 5 th /6 th grade: 65 yards x 40 yards with 10 yards behind each goal 3 rd /4 th grade: 60 yards x 40 yards with 10 yards behind each goal Section 1.02 Players All grade level teams will field seven players: two attack, two midfield, two defense, and one goalie. Penalized players who are removed from play will be taken from the defensive end of the field. Thus, if one player is in the penalty box, two players must stay on the offensive end of the field, and the remaining players are allowed to play on the defensive side. Section 1.03 Game Length The game will last 66 minutes with 60 minutes of playing time. It will be divided into four 15-minute quarters. There will be a 1-minute break after the first and third quarters, and a 4-minute half time. Teams will change defensive ends at halftime. There will be a running clock, and all substitutions will be made on the fly or on re-starts. Each team is allotted one 60-second timeout per half. Section 1.04 Face-offs and Possession Each quarter will begin with a face-off in the following manner: o One midfielder from each team will line up in the middle of the field for the face-off. 1 P age
o The other midfielder will line up with one foot on the sideline. Players may select either sideline, but may not leave their position until the whistle blows. o Attack and defense must position themselves with one foot on goal line extended ( GLE ) and may not leave that position until the referee determines a player has possession of the ball. The referee will call release or possession and signal with an arm motion to indicate the attack and defense are released. If a player releases before the referee determines possession, it will be a play-on situation, with the ball awarded to the other team if necessary. After every goal, the ball will be removed from the goal, and play will resume with the scored-upon team gaining possession at the GLE. The referee shall remove the ball from the goal and place the ball into the stick of a defending player immediately outside of the goal crease prior to commencing play after each goal. The player receiving the ball from the referee or, in the case of a change of possession on the defensive end of the field is the Clearing Player. Players should not remove a ball from inside the goal unless requested to do so by the referee. There will be no fast-break restarts. The referee will set the teams with a ten-yard buffer between the ball and the closest defender and will blow the whistle to signal start of play. The goalie, a defender, or a midfielder may re-start play (i.e. it is not required that the goalie clear the ball after every goal). Mercy Rule. Except for the playoffs, if a team is losing by 5 or more goals, the Clearing Player for the losing team shall receive the ball at midfield if the opposing team scores (as opposed to the GLE). In such instance, the referee shall ensure the same ten-yard buffer applies to the Clearing Player at midfield. After a goal has been scored or on a change of possession on the defensive end of the field, the Clearing Player must make one pass on or into the offensive end of the field before a shot can be attempted (the One Offensive Pass Rule ). If a One Offensive Pass Rule violation occurs the opposing team will be awarded the ball at mid-field. It is not necessary for a goal to be scored on such a shot prior to possession being awarded to the other team. If a team is awarded possession at midfield per the Mercy Rule, the player who takes possession may attempt a shot without a pass. For the avoidance of doubt, a pass must be attempted or made within the offensive end of the field to satisfy the One Offensive Pass Rule, passes only within the defensive end of the field shall not satisfy the rule. Section 1.05 Offsides It shall be an offsides penalty if a team has (i) more than four players in the offensive side of the field, including players in the penalty box or (ii) more than five players in the defensive side of the field, including players in the penalty box. If a team momentarily has more than the required number of players on either end of the field while players are exiting and entering the field through the substitution area, this will not be a violation. Section 1.06 Participation Requirements SBMSA Lacrosse is a developmental league. The goal of the league is to promote the sport of lacrosse in the areas of Houston served by SBMSA. Therefore, it should be the goal of every coach to play each player an equal amount of time and expose every player 2 P age
to the positions of attack, midfield, defense and, if applicable, goalie. In order to foster this goal, the following rules are in effect: Two players will play attack and two players will play defense for an entire quarter or even rotations of attack and defensive players will be maintained each quarter so that each offensive or defensive player plays an equal amount of time. The rest of the players will rotate in at midfield roughly every three minutes. Coaches are expected to play their entire midfield rotation as equally as possible every quarter. In order to speed the games, time will not stop to mandate substitutions, but it is the responsibility of the coach to ensure equal playing time. Attack and defense must change every quarter. No one player will be allowed to play more than one quarter of attack or defense in a single game unless the number of available players requires it. A player may play one quarter of attack and one quarter of defense, but not two quarters of attack or two quarters of defense. o EX: Player A begins the game at attack and plays the entire first quarter. In quarter two, he plays defense and plays the entire quarter. In quarters three and four he must be in the midfield rotation or play goalie (if applicable). Referees will ask each coach to certify that they shall comply with the Participation Requirements before each game, however SBMSA will not track positions over the course of the season but will require coaches, players and parents to remember that SBMSA lacrosse is a developmental league and every member of the team should have the opportunity to play all three positions multiple times. Goalie Rule. o Teams will be required to rotate players at the goalie position. Coaches may either switch goalies at the half, or they may rotate goalies each game. No player may play more than two consecutive halves at the goalie position. o EX. Player A only plays goalie for the first half of game #1. Player A may play one half at goalie in game #2. Player B plays goalie for the entire game #1, player B may not play goalie in game #2. o 3 rd and 4 th Grade Only: Coaches should actively encourage each player to play goalie at least one half per season. However, 3 rd and 4 th grade coaches are required to play every player at goalie at least one half during the season. (Note: This is the goal for developmental reasons. Use your judgment if a player becomes frightened or overly discouraged.) Section 1.07 Equipment The length of all crosses for all field players shall be 37 to 42 inches. Pocket depth is legal when the top of ball remains above the bottom of the head s wall when placed in the pocket of a horizontal stick. Equipment shall conform to NFHS requirements, including athletic cup, gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, mouthpiece, shoes, and NOCSAE approved helmets. o NOTE: Officials will not inspect the wearing of a protective cup, and will rely on the coach s certification and/or a player s statement regarding satisfaction of this requirement. Goalie equipment shall add the following to the above list: 3 P age
o Chest protector, throat protector and goalie stick o Arm pads are not required for goalies, but are recommended for beginners. o Many coaches believe youth level goalkeepers benefit from wearing shin, knee, and thigh pads. Such pads are authorized for youth play, so long as they do not significantly increase the size of the limb protected (e.g., no ice hockey, field hockey, or box lacrosse goalie pads). Players shall not enter the field of play if they are not properly equipped with the aforementioned equipment. Coaches shall certify the game official before each game that their players are using all required equipment. Teams should wear matching color shorts and socks during games. Section 1.08 Field Assistance The designated HOME team shall be responsible for providing a volunteer time keeper. The time keeper shall stop time and start time on notification of the game official, and they shall provide a two minute warning audible by both teams and the game official. The designated AWAY team shall be responsible for providing a volunteer to keep penalty time and act as unofficial scorekeeper. The referee will keep the official game score, and should confirm with the scoring table after each goal. The penalty time keeper shall provide a five second countdown signaling the end of a penalty. Article II. Points of Emphasis The game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of individual stick skills, team play, player safety and sportsmanship. Section 2.01 Checks to the Head/Neck There has been a growing awareness in the community of the potentially harmful longterm effects of concussion and other head injuries, including those caused by repeated blows to the head that may not result in immediate concussions. In light of this the rules have been revised to further discourage such contact and provide more guidance on when more severe penalties are appropriate. Officials will be 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. All participants must work together to reduce or eliminate such dangerous contact from the game. Section 2.02 Unnecessary Roughness There is no justification for deliberate and violent collision by any player at any youth level, especially 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 ). Officials should apply these violent collision rules and utilize the more severe penalty options, and remind coaches and players that body-checks that might be acceptable in high school play may be excessive in youth lacrosse, and should be penalized accordingly. Coaches should teach players to avoid delivering excessive or illegal checks, and support the officials when they penalize such checks. 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 4 P age
roughness shall be non-releasable and the official shall have the option to eject the offending player from the game. Article III. Penalties and Fouls Section 3.01 Penalty Administration The penalty for fouls is a timed suspension for the offending player or awarding the ball to the team that was fouled. Technical fouls are fouls of a less serious nature than personal fouls and result in a change of possession or a 30 second penalty. o Play-On is a term where on a loose ball technical foul, an offended player may be disadvantaged by stopping play so the official may/will signal play-on and hold the whistle until a situation of advantage (gained or lost) is complete. Personal fouls are individual infractions of a serious nature and can result in a 1-3 minute penalty and possible expulsion from the game. o Non-releasable penalties require the full time to be served. o Releasable penalties may be ended by an opponent s goal or fulfillment of time served. o Flag Down is a term where on a loose ball personal foul, an offended player may be disadvantaged by stopping play, so the official will drop a flag signaling the foul, but play will continue until the team that was fouled loses possession of the ball. At that point, the whistle will be blown, the offending player will be penalized, and possession will be awarded to the offended team outside of the restraining box nearest where possession was lost. Section 3.02 Penalty Enforcement Penalized players that are required to leave the field for required time must leave the field immediately and kneel in front of the scorer s table in the penalty area. Penalized players must remain in this penalty area until the timekeeper says his time has expired or otherwise released. Penalty time shall commence with the next whistle resuming play. The penalty clock shall stop for all time outs and at the end of periods. The team whose player has been penalized and removed from play will continue to play without substitution of the penalized player for the length of the penalty (they will play man-down ). Penalty time must be served even over periods. A player who accumulates 4 personal fouls or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time shall be expelled from the game. Another player may substitute for the expelled player after the expiration of the time for the applicable penalty. Timekeepers are reminded to track personal fouls and to notify the nearest official should any player accumulate 4 personal fouls or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time. 5 P age
Section 3.03 Personal Fouls (a) Illegal Body Check (Addition to NFHS Rule 5 Section 3) 2-3 minute non-releasable. An excessively violent violation of this rule may result in an ejection. Definition: When a player intentionally contacts another player with his body within 3 yards of a loose ball to prevent advancement to the goal or gain possession of a loose ball. 3 rd and 4 th Grade Only: Body Checking is NOT PERMITTED. In all loose ball situations players should play the ball, but incidental contact, boxing out, or screening techniques during such play shall not be considered a violation of this rule. If a loose ball is not moving, stuck, or the players are having difficulty picking the ball up the referee may re-start play following the alternate possession rule. Avoidable Body Check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball (a late hit) is an illegal Body Check and is NOT PERMITTED. Legal pushes and holds are allowed. A Body Check of an opponent in a defenseless position is an illegal Body Check and is NOT PERMITTED. NO TAKE OUT CHECKS ARE PERMITTED BY ANY PLAYER AT ANY AGE LEVEL. TAKE OUT CHECKS INCLUDE: o 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. o 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. This includes 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; and (iii) any check made in a reckless or intimidating manner. Referee reserves the right to eject the player (b) Slashing (Addition to NFHS Rule 5 Section 7) 1 2 minute penalty Definition: When a player stick checks something other than the opponent s stick or gloved hand holding the stick. Any one handed stick check will be considered a slash, regardless if or where it makes contact. NOTE: 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. Swings of the stick at an opponent with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon regardless of whether the opponent s stick or body is struck is a slash. Referee reserves the right to eject the player A legal Stick Check (NFHS Rule 5 Section 7) is permitted within 3 yards of the ball 6 P age
Definition: When a player strikes the ball carriers stick or gloved hand holding the stick with his stick in an attempt to dislodge or gain possession of the ball. Controlled legal stick checks are also referred to as pokes and slaps. (c) Cross Check (Addition to NFHS Rule 5 Section 7) 1 2 minute penalty Definition: When a defender uses the shaft of his stick that is in-between his hands against the body of an opponent by either thrusting away from the body or holding it extended from the body. Referee reserves the right to eject the player (d) Checks involving head or neck (Addition to NFHS Rule 5 Section 3) 2-3 minute non-releasable penalty Definition: When a player initiates contact with his body or stick to the opponent s head or neck. A player shall not block an opponent with the head or initiate contact with the head (spearing). Referee reserves the right to eject the player (e) Unnecessary Roughness (NFHS Rule 5 Sec 9) 2-3 minute non-releasable penalty Definition: An excessively violent infraction of the rules against holding and pushing. Deliberate or excessively violent contact made by a defensive player against an offensive player who has established a screening position. Any deliberate or excessively violent contact with the body or stick against an opponent. A check delivered with a gloved hand may not be delivered with a punching blow. Referee reserves the right to eject the player (f) Unsportsmanlike Conduct (NFHS Rule 5 Sec 10) 2-3 minute non-releasable penalty Definition: Arguing with the official, threatening or obscene language, taunting, baiting, flopping, removing the ball from the goal without direction from the referee, or playing the ball with hands or fingers on a faceoff. Referee reserves the right to eject the player Section 3.04 Technical Fouls (a) Three Yard Rule (NFHS Rule 4 Section 17) All stick checks, body checks, 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. (b) Pushing (NFHS Rule 6 Sec 10) Definition: A player shall not shove or push a player from the rear. (c) Tripping (NFHS Rule 6 Sec 8) Definition: A player shall not trip an opponent with his stick or any part of his body. 7 P age
(d) Warding Off (NFHS Rule 6 Sec 12) Definition: 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 stick or body of the player applying the check. A player in possession of the ball may protect his stick with his hand, arm or any other part of his body when his opponent makes a play to check his stick. (e) Crease Violations (NFHS Rule 4 Sec 19) Definition: The crease is the painted area surrounding the goal. If the offensive team has possession and a player enters the crease, the official will award the ball to the defensive team lateral to the goal. If the offensive team enters the crease during a loose ball, it is a play on situation. If the offense enters the crease while the defense has possession, it is a slow whistle situation with a penalty against the offense should they gain possession. If a defensive player (including the goalie) enters the crease with the ball from outside of the crease the official will award the ball to the offense. It is illegal to check a goalie s stick or body when he and his stick are inside the crease. If a goalie clamps over the ball outside of the crease, such is not deemed to be possession, and his stick may be checked. If an offensive player deliberately leaves his feet by diving or jumping and his own momentum carries him into the crease and the shot goes into the goal, the goal is disallowed. A player is considered to have entered the goal-crease area when any part of his body touches the goal-crease area. (f) Hold Check (NFHS Rule 6 Section 3) Definition: A legal hold check is when a player with closed hands holds his stick with hands together against the opponent between their shoulders and waist. An opponent with possession of the ball or within three yards of a loose ball may be held from the font or side, an opponent in possession of the ball may be played with a hold check from the rear if the hold no more than equal pressure. A player may hold the stick of an opponent with his stick when the opponent has possession of the ball, a player within three yards of a loose ball may hold the stick of his opponent with his own stick An ILLEGAL Hold Check is defined as: A player may not; use the handle of his stick between his hands to hold an opponent, step on the stick of an opponent, hold an opponent with his stick, hold or pin an opponent's stick against the body of the opponent with his stick, hold an opponent with his free hand, hold the stick of the opponent with any part of his body, use his stick to hold or pin his opponent's cross to the ground on a face-off. (g) Stalling (NFHS Rule 6 Section 10) If a game official detects an effort to stall the advancement of the ball in either the defensive clearing area or the offensive zone outside the goal area, the official will give a verbal command to advance the ball followed by a visual 5-second hand count. If the team so warned does not attempt to advance the ball within the 5-second count to within five yards of an opposing player, a turnover will occur with restart at the point of the stalling infraction (or laterally outside the goal area).the team with the lead NEED NOT automatically keep the ball in the goal area during the last two minutes of the game. 8 Page
Article IV. Sportsmanship and Conduct Section 4.01 Coaches No persons other than approved coaches (maximum of three (3) coaches per team) may appear on the sideline with the team. The game official may assess a nonreleasable man down penalty until the rule is compiled with. Section 4.02 SBMSA Rules Profanity, fighting, abuse of players, unsportsmanlike conduct, and use of alcoholic beverages or illicit drugs, or violation of any SBMSA rules will not be tolerated and each such violation reported to or discovered by the Lacrosse Board may result in game forfeiture or suspension depending on the circumstances. Section 4.03 Controlled Substances Texas law prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages or any controlled substance by anyone on school property. All SBMSA facilities, including Reggie Grob and Darryl Tully Stadium parking lots, are considered school property. Any violation of this rule may result in the suspension of participation (including a parent of player) in the Lacrosse Program. Section 4.04 Smoking There will be no smoking or use of other tobacco products, including electronic tobacco products, inside the playing area or on SBISD property. Section 4.05 Teams The Head Coach and his staff shall maintain order and discipline among his players. Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the players or Assistant Coaches shall reflect directly on the coaching staff. Section 4.06 Crowds The conduct of spectators supporting their team is the direct responsibility of the Head Coach of the team. Section 4.07 Penalties On continued violations of any of these conduct responsibilities, including multiple excessive personal fouls and game ejections during the season, a full report should be made to the Lacrosse Director detailing the circumstances leading to such violations. The Lacrosse Board will make a determination concerning what, if any, penalty should be imposed for such violations. Section 4.08 Restricted Areas All fans and spectators will be required to sit across the field from the team s bench area. Under no circumstances should anyone be sitting behind any team s bench area. No one will be allowed to enter the playing area (including either team s bench area) unless he/she is a game official, approved coach or player. Exception: a parent(s) of 9 P age
an injured player may enter the playing area. Lacrosse Board Members or other SBMSA official representatives may enter either teams bench area or the scorer s table area for official purposes. After one warning a team will be assessed a twominute non-releasable man down penalty if the game official, including if notified by a Lacrosse Board Member, notes a violation of the above. Section 4.09 Contact with Officials Only the Head Coach can question or protest any ruling by the game official or the official scorer s table. Any member of the Lacrosse Board who notices a violation of these rules shall inform the game official, who shall enforce any applicable penalty. Only the Head Coaches and the game official shall discuss such question or protest, which shall be finally determined by the game official. Section 4.10 Official Calls are Final After a game official has indicated a call and play has commenced on the next whistle, such calls shall stand and may not be overturned. Coaches may submit complaints regarding any particular calls to the Lacrosse Board. Excessive complaints after officials have commenced the game shall be subject to the unsportsmanlike conduct rules herein at the discretion of the game official. Section 4.11 SBMSA Suspension Rule One of the primary goals of SBMSA is to teach good sportsmanship to our area youth. Displays of poor sportsmanship by players, coaches, and/or fans will not be tolerated. As a discouragement of such displays, the SBMSA Lacrosse Board has adopted a policy which mandates a one-game suspension for any lacrosse fan, parent, player or coach ejected from a game by a game official based on poor sportsmanship. This suspension shall be administered by the Lacrosse Board during the next scheduled game, including any make-up game or playoff game. While the one-game suspension is mandated, the Lacrosse Board may for particularly outrageous behavior or recurring incidents, levy suspensions of additional games up to and including the remainder of a season or future seasons. If a fan, parent, player or coach is ejected from a game, and they fail to leave the premises, such ejected person shall automatically be suspended from attending or participating in the next scheduled game. The Lacrosse Board, before issuing the suspension, should: (1) interview both coaches; (2) request a written report from the game official and; (3) if no Lacrosse Board members witness the incident, seek to interview third party witnesses. All coach, parent or player suspensions or dismissals by game officials will be notified in writing by the Lacrosse Director. The decision of the Lacrosse Board shall be final and not subject to an appeal to the SBMSA Executive Board. Section 4.12 SBMSA Lacrosse Code of Conduct PLAYERS will be accountable for their actions. 10 P age
PLAYERS will strive to play by the rules. PLAYERS will treat other players, coaches, and officials with respect. PLAYERS will maintain their schoolwork and understand that Lacrosse is secondary to academics. PARENTS will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support for all players, coaches, and officials. PARENTS will never scorn or yell at their child or other children for making a mistake on the field. PARENTS will respect the coaches time and ability, and will not interfere with practices or games. COACHES will support the other coaches, Lacrosse Board members, and others working with the team, and strive to make this a positive experience for everyone. COACHES will educate themselves on the rules of the game and will teach these rules to their team. COACHES will encourage effort and development, and will realize that mistakes are part of the learning process. COACHES will ask their team treat the opposing players, coaches, officials, and all others with respect. COACHES will support and respect contest officials and refrain from public criticism or embarrassment. Article V. Adverse Weather Policy Section 5.01 At the first sound of nearby thunder or any sighting of visible lightning, the coaches and/or referees shall determine the flash-to-bang count (the seconds between the flash of lightning and the bang of thunder). When the flash-to-bang count is 30 seconds or less, the game or practice must be stopped immediately. (a) If prior to the beginning of a game, the opposing head coaches will make the decision whether to begin play after the storm has ended. (b) After a game starts, the referee-in-charge will in his/her discretion determine when/whether to suspend play and when/whether to resume play after the storm has ended. If the threatening condition(s) do not clear within a reasonable period of time, the game should be called/suspended and completed at a later date, if possible. (c) If during a practice, the head coach will make the decision whether to resume practice after the storm has ended. 11 P age
(d) In all cases where the game/practice has been stopped due to the flash-to-bang count, there shall be a delay of the game/practice of not less than thirty (30) minutes after the last visual sighting of lightning or hearing thunder. Section 5.02 Seek shelter in a non-metal building or a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows completely shut and wait for a decision on whether to continue the game or practice. Section 5.03 Stay away from metal objects such as fencing, lacrosse goals, and metal handles. Avoid high ground and open spaces. Avoid dugouts - they are not safe from lightning. Avoid going underneath trees since trees "attract" lightning. Section 5.04 If no shelter is available and lightning is striking nearby, you should: (a) Avoid direct contact with other people. (b) Remove all metal objects from your person. (c) If a nearby person is injured from lightning, give first aid procedures if you are qualified to do so. An injured person does not carry an electrical charge and can be handled safely. Send for help immediately. 2016 Final 12 P age