MAINE GIRLS YOUTH LACROSSE RULES 2018 Teams will adhere to the US Lacrosse rules of play for youth programs with the following modifications. See USL 2018 Youth Girls Rulebook (https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/girls-rules) and 2018 High School Girls Rulebook for complete descriptions of field, equipment, personnel, rules, and penalties. Differences from US Lacrosse rules are underlined. Grades 5/6 will follow US Lacrosse 12U rules. Grades 3/4 will follow US Lacrosse 10U rules. GAME PERSONNEL: Grade ¾: 8 players per team, including goalie; 7v7 with modified goals if playing without a goalie. Grade 5/6: 8 or 12 players per team on the field. 12-sided games include a goalie. 8-sided games include goalie; 7v7 with modified goal if playing without a goalie. Multiple teams within a program should be balanced; this applies to both ¾ & 5/6. FIELD & EQUIPMENT: Field Size: Grade 3/4 and small-sided Grade 5/6 games: ideal dimensions of the field are 60-70 yards by 35-45 yards (70x45 yd recommended) with only the center line, goal circle, goal line, 8-m arc and dots marked out as in the diagram below. The center line will also represent the restraining line. Half or less of regulation size field may be used with the goals near either sideline as shown in the diagram below.
Grade 5/6, 12v12 games: 110-140 yards in length and 60-70 yards in width with regulation markings (center line and circle, restraining lines, 12-m fan, 8-m arc, goal line and goal circle dots as in diagram below). Goal Size: Grades 3/4: goals 4x4 & 5x5 are ideal; 6x6 allowed. Grades 5/6 will use 6x6 goals; modified goal allowed if playing without a goalie. If small-sized goals are not available, goals may be regulation size nets flipped upside down for Grades 3/4 or 5/6 when playing without a goalie. It is recommended that cones be placed in the 4 corners of the field Mandatory Protective Equipment: Each player must wear USL approved mouth piece and goggles. Goalie: MUST wear USL approved protective helmet designed for lacrosse and must meet the NOCSAE test standard, with face mask, separate throat protector, chest protector, abdominal & pelvic protection, goalie gloves, and leg padding on the shins & thighs. Lacrosse Stick: must use a regulation women s crosse with either a regular or modified pocket. With a modified pocket, only half the ball may fall below the bottom of the sidewall. Stick may be cut to fit comfortably along the length of the player s arm. RESPONSIBILITES OF HOME TEAM: Scheduling Referees: Referees shall be USL trained adult or junior officials. All 12v12 games should be officiated by 2 referees; 2 officials preferred for small-sided games, especially when using junior officials. Grades 5/6 recommended to have a minimum of one Level 1 certified referee It is the Host Communities responsibility to arrange for officials and for payment of officials.
Provide game ball and extra balls along the end lines behind the goals. Home teams are responsible for contrasting jersey colors and will wear pinnies if needed. Have cell phone and emergency medical contact information at the field. Each team must provide a Sideline Manager who oversees the spectators behavior. It is expected that a representative of the home team meets with both the opposing coach and referee(s) prior to the start of the game to confirm rules and go over the pre-game checklist including: mid-line (restraining line for small-sided games), safety and shooting space, 3-seconds for good defense, time format, time-outs, field lay-out, and goals. GAME TIME: Grade ¾ & 5/6 Two halves, 20 minutes each. Clock will run for both age groups, stopping only for time outs and injuries. No overtime periods in either division. 1 two-minute timeout permitted per game. GAME PLAY: Unless specified, all rules apply to both Grades 5/6 and Grades ¾: Start of Game: Grade 3/4 - Game starts with a 1v1 draw. All field players except the players taking the draw will stand on their respective offensive and defensive 8m (3 players from each team at each end of the field). Second half also starts with a draw. Player positioning for the draw will apply, with the opposing center standing 4m away at a 45-degree angle. This restart is an indirect free position. The ball must be passed prior to an attempted shot. Grade 5/6: Game and second half start with a draw. Small sided games begin with a 1v1 draw. 12v12 games start with a 3v3 draw. In addition to the player taking the draw, there will be no more than 2 girls per team within 10m of the draw position. The remaining players stand behind the restraining lines. Grade 3/4 and Grade 5/6: During any draw, players behind restraining lines (or at the 8m arc for small-sided games) must remain there until the official signals that one player has possession after the draw. Draw: Positioning of sticks at all levels, both centers will hold sticks parallel to and above the center line. Restart After Goals: Grade 3/4 - Player positioning for the draw will apply, with the opposing center standing 4m away at a 45-degree angle in the direction of the goal she is defending. This restart is an indirect free position. Grade 5/6 After goals, a draw will restart play (3v3 draw for 12v12 games; 1v1 draw for small-sided games). When there is a 4 goal or more discrepancy, the center of the team that is behind will be given the ball at the center of the field. Player positioning for the draw will apply, with the opposing center standing 4m away at a 45-degree angle. This restart is an indirect free position. This provision may be waived by agreement of both coaches.
Substitutions: will take place as they do in middle school games. There will be a substitution area marked off between the two teams and players must enter and exit the field from this area. A girl may not enter the game until the person she is subbing for has entered the sub area. Subbing will be on the fly. Mass substitution may take place after a goal for either team is scored. NO 3-Pass Rule: Coaches are encouraged to use strategies that avoid run-and-gun shooting tactics, including coach-monitored counting of passes or seconds of possession by a single player. Contested Ground Balls: Grades 3/4: a loose ball may be contested by no more than 2 players. If a third player participates, the ball will be awarded using alternate possession. Kicking the Ball: Grade 3/4: Kicking the ball is not allowed (minor foul). Covering or Raking: is not permitted (minor foul). Checking: Grades 3/4 and 5/6: No checking or modified checking for either level (major foul). 3-Second Good Defense Rule: Coaches will inform players of the 3-second rule and enforce this. The purpose is to teach players to play defense with their feet and body position, and to reward them when they do it correctly. Defenders must be within a stick s length, have both hands on the stick, and be in position to check if checking were allowed. This rule discourages defenders from just standing and swinging as an attack player runs by. Minor foul. Referees are instructed to look for: A defender that is patient and waiting in a legal stick checking position, with both hands on her stick. An attack player who is trying to move the cradle to a position that is not able to be checked. Be aware of the attack pulling to the other side of the body. If a defender is there, the count continues. The pull must go to a side able to be checked for the count. To stop. The referee will give an audible 3-second count at any time when the defender is in good position to make a legal check. Restraining Line Violation: Grades 3/4: Each team must keep 2 field players back behind the restraining line (the midfield line). A team is offside if they have more than 5 players in their offensive line or more than 6 (including goalie) in their defensive end. The penalty will be a major foul at the spot of the ball. Offside play will be enforced by coaches and referees. Grades 5/6: The midfield serves as the restraining line for small-field play and offside play will be enforced as for Grades 3/4. For full-field play, each team must keep 4 field players back behind the restraining line. A team is offside if they have more than 7 players in their offensive line or more than 8 (including goalie) in their defensive end when not playing short due to a card penalty. The penalty for restraining line violation will be a major foul at the spot of the ball. Offside play will be enforced by coaches and referees. 1 v 1 Defense: Grade 3/4: Defensive players are required to play 1 v 1 defense in all areas of the field. Non-marking players or those double teaming an opponent will be penalized with a minor foul. Shooting Space: will be enforced at the 5/6 level and loosely enforced at the 3/4 level.
Yellow and Red Cards: will be handed out at the ¾ & 5/6 levels. Grade 3/4: A player receiving a yellow card will leave the field for two minutes and a substitute must take her place; a player receiving a red card will serve the penalty for the remainder of the game; a substitute will take her place. Grade 5/6: A player receiving a yellow card will leave the field for two minutes and her team will play short for the entire penalty time. A player receiving a red card will not return to the game; the team will play short for 4 minutes. Note that mandatory yellow cards will be given for the following fouls: Dangerous propelling on shot or pass Dangerous follow-through on shot or pass Check to the head, which can come from careless use of stick and not a deliberate attempt to check Dangerous contact (any action that thrusts or shoves a player with or without the ball who is in a defenseless position; head down, off balance, in the air) For additional information on youth girls lacrosse, consult the 2018 USL Youth Girls Rulebook or visit either of the following websites. US Lacrosse 2018 Youth Girls Rulebook (downloadable pdf):https://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/girls-rules Maine Women s Lacrosse Officials Association: www.mainewloa.com