Suffolk County Youth Lacrosse League Rules

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Mission of our League is to advance the game of Lacrosse to the Youth of Suffolk County, to encourage individual skill mastery and teamwork, and to foster character development and sportsmanship. We support a child’s right to challenge themselves to try to achieve, but discourage unnecessary physical contact, and/or the importance of individual and team records. It is our hope that everyone involved would consider this as one program. The players from all of the teams are our kids, no matter which uniform they wear. We expect that everyone will encourage and support each player, for their skill, effort, and participation, and not for a team, a town or a game’s outcome. Please treat every child as you would your own, as we all share the same enthusiasm – the game of Lacrosse.


I. GENERAL RULE:

Unless otherwise noted here, all contest levels will be governed by the Boys Lacrosse Rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the Youth Rules of US Lacrosse and the Modified Rules of NY State Junior High School Lacrosse.


II. THE GAME:

Youth lacrosse is played by two teams consisting of between eight and/or ten players each.

Division: Attack Midfield Defense Goalie
2nd 2 3* 2 1
3rd 3 3 3  1 (10v 10)
4th 3 3 3  1 (10 v 10)
5th 3 3 3  1 (10 v 10)
6th 3 3 3  1(10 v 10)
7th & 8th 3 3 3 1 (10 v 10)


One of the coaches from each of the teams on the 2nd grade level may be on the field during play, as long as they are supportive of All players from both teams, and realize that their role is one of instruction and encouragement. All other coaches are to remain at the team’s bench area and supervise the rest of the team. If there is only one coach, his main interest should be with the team near the bench area.

III. THE FIELD:

Every site should consist of two equipped ** fields, each with accurate lines and markings, consistent with an official lacrosse field; one field size 90x45 yards for the 2nd, 3rd, and grade teams, and one field size 110x60 yards for the 4th grade teams and above. If it is feasible, and additional fields are available, the league will consider their use. Upon prior league approval, certain exceptions can be made. The intent is to play a game at a scheduled site, if there are discrepancies to the legal interpretation of “the field” as described in the rules, those problems are to be noted and submitted to the league for future consideration. Unless it is a safety issue, the game should be played.

All players and certified coaches shall be located on the same side of the field, and are confined to, and governed by the bench area markings and regulations. A maximum of four (4) coaches are allowed to be with the team. If a parent is timing the game and/or penalties, they cannot coach. A Director is the only other person who is allowed on the players’ sideline. Every effort should be made to have all spectators on the opposite side of the field (not on the end lines), unless an exception has prior league approval.

Spectators are restricted from the bench area and from standing on the end lines.

**It is up to the home field (not home team) to supply clocks, horns, penalty clocks, goals, etc.


IV. TIME FACTORS:

The length of the game shall consist of four quarters of 12 minutes running time, with the last two minutes of the game (only) stopped as in regulation. The half time is five minutes. The clock is stopped on all time-outs, which are one minute in duration. The official game clock and the penalty clock are to be kept on the sideline (not on the field by anyone, including an official).

Penalty time is to start and stop as in regulation play. Penalty time is not running time.

Each team is entitled to one time-out per quarter. A time-out can be taken on any dead-ball situation (including situations when the ball travels over the end line), and during play, only by the team in possession of the ball. A time-out can be requested by anyone associated with the team.

If at the end of regulation play the score is tied, the game will end in a tie - there is no overtime.

V. EQUIPMENT:

Players must wear helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, arm guards or pads, athletic supporter/cup, and a mouthpiece. The lack of a mouthpiece in a player's mouth is not a personal foul and is only to be considered a technical foul if there is a loose ball situation (no time served).

The goalie must wear, in addition to that equipment previously mentioned, a chest protector and a throat guard. It is permissible for a goalie to wear shin guards, and as provided under section 1-24c, he may wear football pants, with or without pads.

It is the responsibility of each town's program to assure that their team’s equipment meets legal specifications, and that their children have been instructed in it's use and safety.

Crosse dimensions shall be as follows (except Goalie's crosse):

Grade Stick Length
2nd 33” – 42”
3rd 35" – 42”
4th 35" – 42”
5th 40" – 60”
6th 40" – 60”
7th & 8th 40" – 72”

The 4th, 5th and 6th grade teams are permitted to play with "long" sticks, but no more than three long sticks can be on the field at one time. The rule of thumb on long sticks is the stick should be no longer than the child can handle. It is recommended that the stick length be no taller than the child with his helmet, however the rule sets a maximum of 60 inches. No other alteration is permitted to the stick's original manufacturer’s condition.


VI. PLAY OF THE GAME AND SPECIFIED RULINGS:

There is a four-goal rule. When one team establishes a four-goal lead, the other team shall be given possession of the ball at the midfield without a face-off; this includes after goals, start of a quarter, or a penalty situation.
If a man-down situation exists and there is possession at the end of the quarter, that team will retain possession at that relative point on the field at the start of the next quarter, unless there is a four-goal lead; here the "four goal rule" will apply.

With a four-goal advantage, the leading team must make two completed passes in their offensive box before a shot on goal can be taken; if the ball touches the ground, repeat the requirement. The pass must initiate in the offensive box and be completed in the box.

A loose ball in the crease, for which one or more players, and the goalie are trying to gain possession, shall be awarded to the goalie behind the goal.

At the start of play, no player may take a position closer than 10 yards to the player in possession of the ball.

The In-Home player shall serve any penalty committed by the Goalkeeper, except unsportsmanlike conduct. Two unsportsmanlike fouls in the same game will result in an expulsion from the contest and the ejection procedure will become effective.

Repeated and continuous checking of the person, limb or glove, even though it is in contact with the stick, is considered a personal foul (slashing).

There is "limited" body checking. Players may employ an equal pressure concept. Body checking is allowed on the 4th grade a level only. all other levels are permitted.  

"A "buddy pass" or "running start" contact aimed at injuring another player is to be considered illegal and is not to be condoned.

"Man/Ball" plays are illegal, and under New York State Rules, they are not permitted until a player makes it to the JV and Varsity levels.

One-handed stick checks are permitted on any level as long as contact is made with the opponents stick. If no contact is made the check is considered slashing penalty.  

There is no man down situation on 2nd grade only. All other grade level will play man/up man/down  Any player committing a penalty must serve his own penalty time. The offended player, unless they are defense players or goalies, will be given a Fast Break opportunity, where as, the ball handler will stand 10 yards offensive to the midfield line and all other midfielders will stand behind the midfield line. At the sound of the whistle, all players on the field are released on a fast break.

There is no stalling permitted on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade levels. The ball possession will be turned over as with any technical foul in the judgment of the official. The official should remind the offending team that their play may be deemed in violation, and give that coach the opportunity to encourage his team to play.

There is no 10 second "failure to advance the ball" rule on any level.

A maximum of four coaches with sideline badges (complete with a name identifying that coach) from any one team are permitted on a team's sidelines and bench area. Designated Program Directors are permitted to assist and be on the team's side of the field. If the Director stops performing the director's responcibilities and acts as a coach, there can only be (3) more coaches on the sideline. All coaches are required to assist in this compliance of this rule. There is one situation where a person, or persons, with out a badge may be on the team's bench area: if a player is ejected from the previous contest for violation of league rules, he may stay on the teams side as he serves the suspension conditions of his penalty.

Coaches are NOT allowed on the field, and must coach from the normal designated area. One Coach from each 2nd grade in permitted on the field during play, but all other coaches must stay on the sideline with the rest of the teams.

All Coaches should note that they are “coaching players, NOT OFFICIALS.” Penalties called, and/or not called, are not for the coach’s interpretation or approval. Coaches should instruct the players as to their individual skill level, teamwork and game strategies. Every coach is required to assist an official in the control of the game and assist in controlling a proper sportsmanship by the spectators. If anyone wants to be a referee instead of coach, please contact the league assignor. We could always use your help.

All personnel associated with this league are governed and sanctioned under the Coaches Code of Ethics of the Suffolk County Youth Lacrosse League. A copy of which is to be given by each director to their respective program, and is available on the league’s web site or upon request. It is every coach’s responsibility to obtain a copy of the code of ethics and, your willingness to accept the role of coach in this league constitutes your acceptance to comply with it’s directives.

Personal expulsion fouls/fighting - the offending player, or players, are ejected from that contest, and are suspended from the next scheduled game they attend. The player(s) must attend a contest from which they were suspended, and stand on the sidelines, in order to be eligible to play in any further games.

If a parent/spectator enters onto the playing field, or in any way interferes with the play of the game, the players, or anyone affiliated with the league including the officials, that individual and their related player will be asked to leave the school grounds. This is not to include an injury situation unless an abusive or unsportsmanlike behavior is involved.

The official shall stop play and issue team warnings to both teams at the first instance of "taunting." The coaches will respectively advice their own teams on sportsmanship. A personal foul is to be imposed, at the discretion of the referee.

Any excessive display or celebration, including any inciteful gestures toward the sidelines, is by rule, a personal foul.

In the event of unethical behavior or an altercation between teams, coaches, or players, each coach or supervising member shall first, write down as accurately as possible, the events as they occurred; and then, contact their own program's director. Each respective director will contact each other. If there still exists a need to further resolve this issue, they should notify the League Committee Chairman for Rules and Ethics. His committee will investigate the issue and report their findings to the Executive Board to determine an outcome. Their resolution shall be considered binding by all involved. It is required of all directors and coaches to comply with the committee’s requests in its investigation.


VII. INCLEMENT WEATHER PROCEDURE:

Each home field director will determine the condition of their fields, and rule on any cancellation of games. Games are to be considered "on," unless otherwise notified. The home field director will contact all visiting team's directors, who in turn should notify their own coaches and teams. All inquiries are to be directed to the home field's director. Games are automatically suspended in the event of a lighting storm. Every attempt will be made to post any cancellations on the web site if they are submitted through the appropriate channels.

Games canceled or suspended will try to be rescheduled on an appropriate day at a mutually agreed upon date acceptable to those teams involved.

Game Attendance:
Teams attendance is required and is the responsability of the Program Director, in observance of the current League Schedule. Non attendance of games, without proper league notification, will result in fines incurred by the absent Team/Program. As a 1st offense, payment of officials fees for both teams will be incurred. As a 2nd Offense, payment of a doubled Officials fee will be incurred and surplus of moneys be given to the team in attendance.

Posting Postponed Games :
* Using Directors Access, Changing the Game Status as they would for entering Game Results.
* Visit Locations where your Program Field Directions are displayed.
* Go to Games column below header to view Home Field Master Game Schedule.
* Click on the Edit Symbol, on top right for editing multiple Games, Or to the left of a single Game.
* Choose Postponed from the drop down selections, in Game Status column, and click on Save Symbol at top right Or left of the single Game, to post status.

However, Directors need to observe traditional League Protocol for Make Ups as follows:

Rescheduling for Make Up Games:
(Note: Directors shall offer originally scheduled Officials, if available, the make up game and email Scheduling Committee Chairperson, upon confirmation, the make up date, time and location to be revised on the website schedule.

However, If the originally scheduled Officials are not available, Only, the Oficials Assigner is to assign Game Officials. In that case, it is suggested to confirm a preferred Date/Time, a 2nd choice and consecutive Games, when submitting your request as follows:.

* Reschedule a tentative Date/Time to Make Up for your Postponed Games with the opposing Directors.
* Email your tentative requests to the Officials Assigner and Scheduling Committee Chair Person.
* If there aren't Officials available for your request, you will receive a reply requesting other choices, until successful.
* Upon approval of Officials availability, the Game will be displayed on the current website schedule as Rescheduled.

Note: If your Revised Games include K-4 Teams, you only need reschedule your own Jr. Officials and email the Scheduling Committee Chair Person the changed Date/Time, so that I may update the website schedule for viewing


VIII. LEAGUE REQUIREMENTS OF PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS:

It is each program's responsibility to carry their own insurance, and to submit a copy of the same to the league secretary. The Suffolk County Youth All-Star Lacrosse League, their home school district, and Stonybrook University should be noted as riders.

Each team is responsible for paying the Officials their designated contribution before each game. K-4th Grade Jr. Officials is a contribution of $20 Per Team or $15 Per Team for a Single Official, 5th-8th Grade Officials is a contribution of $50 Per Team or $35 Per Team for a Single Official

All teams submitted for league play must be accompanied with a team roster complete with jersey number, name, address, telephone number, date of birth, years played and an E-MAIL address. Those rosters are to be given to the league secretary by the final date specified for registration (Roster Night).

A league fee is required for every team entered into the league. Failure to pay this obligation will result in dismissal from that year's play. The league further requires that each program submit reimbursable forfeit fees.

The League suggests that for the safety of those concerned, each program site have an AED available and/or retain the services of an ambulance/medical staff.

Any player, who lives in a particular school district, is directed to participate in that corresponding program, unless there is prior approval by the related directors. The league secretary is to be notified by that director, of any player who lives outside of their designated recruiting area. "Grand-fathering" and violations will be considered and resolved by the Executive Board.

If a coach or representative of a team or program, knowingly misrepresents a player(s) as eligible to compete on a level under the guidelines established by the league and its rules, they are subject to sanction, suspension and or expulsion. In certain situations, exceptions can be made with prior approval of the Directors and/or Executive Board.

Coach's badges, complete with ID photo, are to be conspicuously worn at all contests. Anyone not wearing league identification will not be permitted on the team side of the field.

Any and all league rule changes would require a majority vote of the individual program directors or their designated representatives.

The League, its Directors, its Governing Committees, and the Executive Board reserve the right to determine and resolve all disputes as pertains to that scope of jurisdiction considered to be the Suffolk County Youth Lacrosse League. The League has the right to step in and designate an individual to take control of any program that, in the determination of the Board of Directors, could effect the continuity of the League's mission, either in whole or any part.

Official Lacrosse Rule Book

If you are interested in purchasing the NFHS Official Rule Book for boys' high school and boy's youth lacrosse, you can do so by clicking here. The book costs $6.50