GIRLS LACROSSE RULES
For further clarifications, please contact girlsrules@usalacrosse.com
8U LACROSSE (ABGYL K-2)
PHILOSOPHY OF 8U LACROSSE
8U lacrosse is the age when many young athletes first experience the sport of lacrosse. The children entering at this point often differ greatly in their physical and cognitive development. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize:
FUN | FOLLOWING RULES OF PLAY | GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP
8U GIRLS’ GAME FORMAT SUMMARY AND EQUIPMENT
4v4 (cross field)
» No goalies (Shot Blockers Uttilized on Goals)
» Smaller sticks and soft balls may be utilized
» Eyewear is required
» 3’v3’ goals or 4’v4’ goals are recommended
8U GIRLS’ RULES OVERVIEW
» No draw and players line up in their defensive end to start game
» Coaches can be on the field to assist and ‘officiate’
» No score is kept
» Three pass rule
» After a goal, defense is given the ball for a clear
» Must play 1v1 defense
8U LENGTH OF THE GAME
A competition will consist of two (2) twelve-minute running time halves, with a four minute halftime period. Potential modifications could include four (4) x six (6) minute quarters.
FOULS At this level of play
1) Illegal or dangerous contact as well as
2) Unsportsmanlike conduct would be considered major fouls, where the player would be taken off the field for a brief time period - no cards are used and the team does NOT play short. Other fouls will result in stoppage of play and change of possession. All restarts will require 4 meters of free space around the ball carrier. In the case of major fouls, the offending player shall be placed 4 meters behind.
CONTESTED GROUND BALLS
Players may use a kicking motion to move a ball into free space as long as it does not pose danger to other players and it is not a shot on goal.
COVERING THE BALL
Players are not permitted to cover the ball under any circumstances with their stick or body.
Penalty: Immediate stoppage of play and possession is awarded to the offended team.
MINIMUM PASS RULE
The minimum pass rule is eliminated at this level of play. However, coaches may agree to add an additional time restriction to encourage ball movement.
1 V 1 DEFENSE
1 v 1 defense is required in the midfield area at this level of play. More than one player can defend the ball in the critical scoring area. Shooting space and 3 second defense rules are now introduced.
3 SECONDS CLOSELY GUARDED (OFFENSE)
Player with the ball may not hold the ball for more than three (3) seconds when a) closely guarded b) the defense has both hands on their stick and c) the defense is in a position to legally check if checking were allowed.
OFFSIDES - not applicable at this age. Players are responsible for not shooting at other players and a safe follow through on all shots. The stick cannot follow through into the goal circle. Penalty: Immediate stoppage of play and possession is awarded to the offended team.
3 SECONDS IN THE ARC (DEFENSE)
Defenders cannot remain inside the 8-meter arc unless marking an opponent within a stick’s length. More than one player can be marking the ball carrier in the arc. However, more than one defender can mark the ball carrier in the 8 meter as long as they are within a stick’s length.
SHOOTING SPACE
Defenders cannot obstruct the free space to goal if not marking an opponent or playing the ball carrier within a stick’s length.
GOAL CIRCLE VIOLATIONS
No player other than the properly equipped goalkeeper may enter the goal circle at any time. Offensive players may not follow through into the goal circle on a shot.
M A J O R O R C A R D A B L E CONTACT
Legal contact can occur between opponents during the normal process of play. However, contact that occurs that physically forces the opponent off of her position or path is illegal contact. Illegal stick to body contact (in a horizontal position) or any contact deemed dangerous should be called.
ILLEGAL CHECK No checking allowed.
SHOOTING FOULS
Players are responsible for not shooting at or into other players and to maintain a safe follow through on all shots. Dangerous Propel and Dangerous Follow Through are mandatory cards.
Dangerous Shot: shoot dangerously or without control at the goalkeeper.
1. A dangerous shot is judged on the basis of the combination of distance, force and placement.
2. A shot should not be directed at the goalkeeper’s body, especially her head or neck.
3. A dangerous shot does not apply if goalkeeper has time to react or moves into the ball.
8U UNSPORTSMAN LIKE CONDUCT
Participants are expected to uphold the highest levels of sportsmanship at all times. Arguing, threatening, the use of profane language or obscene gestures by players, coaches and spectators shall result in a penalty.
Penalty: Unsportsmanlike Conduct foul is a major foul and will result in an immediate stoppage of play. The player shall be taken off the field and substituted for. The ball is awarded to the offended team. At no time should either team be playing with fewer players than their opponent.
10 U LACROSSE (ABGYL 3&4)
PHILOSOPHY OF 10U LACROSSE
10U lacrosse is where young athletes begin developing fundamental technical skills in lacrosse.
With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize:
FUN | GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP | TRYING NEW SKILLS IN A TEAM SETTING | LEARNING AND EXPLORING OVERALL PLAY OF THE GAME
10U GIRLS’ GAME FORMAT SUMMARY AND EQUIPMENT
» 8v8 includes goalies, (cross field)
» Traditional stick and balls, modified pocket is allowed
» Officials are required
» Score can be kept
» At the draw players line up in both offensive and defensive end, traditional line up
» Introduction of the 8 meter arc
» After a goal, the goalkeeper clears
» No checking and 3-seconds closely guarded applies
» Must play 1v1 defense
NUMBER OF PLAYERS
8 players (7 Field and 1 goalkeeper) from each team on the field at a time.
If one team is unable to field a goalie both teams must play 7v7 with a non-goalie format.
COACHES
The coach must remain on the sideline in the coaches’ box and team area.
U10 PLAY OF THE GAME
COIN TOSS
Prior to the start of competition the official will call one player from each team
and conduct a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss can choose direction of
play or have the first Alternating Possession.
START OF GAME OR HALF
The competition is started with each team placing up to 7 field players on
the field to start the game. Three (3) players will be placed in the 8m in the
offensive end and three (3) players in the 8m in the defensive end. The 7th
field player will be at the center to take the draw. Players must hold in the 8m
until the official has signaled that possession has been attained.
RESTART AFTER A GOAL IS SCORED
Goalkeeper free clear - opposing team moves above 8m. Without a
goalkeeper, the official will remove the ball from the goal and give it to
a defensive player along the goal line to the side of the goal. The ball
is awarded to the team who was just scored upon and the remaining
players will be moved 4m away.
RESTARTING PLAY - SELF-START
For a foul outside of the critical scoring area, the player who is awarded
the free position, after coming to a stop/settled stance, may continue
without waiting for an additional whistle. A settled stance is with both
FOULS
At this level of play fouls fall into three (3) categories :
1) Minor (misplay, procedural), penalty administration is 4 meters
away from the ball and the ball is no closer than 12 meters to the goal
circle.
2) Major (safety), penalty administration is 4 meters behind and the
ball is no closer than 8 meters to the goal circle
3) Cardable/Misconduct (excessive), penalty administration is a
card. Ball is no closer than 8 meters to the goal circle. While cards are
administered at 10U and the player will serve a specific time penalty,
the team does NOT play short.
CARDS: A player will serve two (2) minutes for a yellow card and serve
the duration of the game for a red card. The cards are non-releasable.
U10 MINOR FOULS
CONTESTED GROUND BALLS
Players may use a kicking motion to move a ball into free space as long as it does not pose danger to other players and it is not a shot on goal.
COVERING THE BALL Players are not permitted to cover the ball under any circumstances with their stick or body. 6.3 - MINIMUM PASS RULE The minimum pass rule is eliminated at this level of play. However, coaches may agree to add an additional time restriction to encourage ball movement.
1 V 1 DEFENSE 1 v 1 defense is required in the midfield area at this level of play. More than one player can defend the ball in the critical scoring area. Shooting space and 3 second defense rules are now introduced.
3 SECONDS CLOSELY GUARDED (OFFENSE) Player with the ball may not hold the ball for more than three (3) seconds when a) closely guarded b) the defense has both hands on their stick and c) the defense is in a position to legally check if checking were allowed.
GOALKEEPER FOULS The goalkeeper must not:
a. Allow the ball to remain in the goal circle longer than 10 seconds.
b. Step back into the goal circle when she has possession of the ball if she is fully out of the goal circle.
c. She or a teammate may not return the ball to the goal circle, (carrying or rolling) until the ball has been played by a player.
U10 MAJOR FOUL
3 SECONDS IN THE ARC (DEFENSE) Defenders cannot remain inside the 8-meter arc unless marking an opponent within a stick’s length. More than one player can be marking the ball carrier in the arc. However, more than one defender can mark the ball carrier in the 8 meter as long as they are within a stick’s length.
SHOOTING SPACE Defenders cannot obstruct the free space to goal if not marking an opponent or playing the ball carrier within a stick’s length.
GOAL CIRCLE VIOLATIONS No player other than the properly equipped goalkeeper may enter the goal circle at any time. Offensive players may not follow through into the goal circle on a shot.
M A J O R O R C A R D A B L E
CONTACT
Legal contact can occur between opponents during the normal process of play. However, contact that occurs that physically forces the opponent off of her position or path is illegal contact. Illegal stick to body contact (in a horizontal position) or any contact deemed dangerous should be called.
ILLEGAL CHECK
No checking allowed.
SHOOTING FOULS
Players are responsible for not shooting at or into other players and to maintain a safe follow through on all shots. Dangerous Propel and Dangerous Follow Through are mandatory cards.
Dangerous Shot:
To shoot dangerously or without control at the goalkeeper.
1. A dangerous shot is judged on the basis of the combination of distance, force and placement.
2. A shot should not be directed at the goalkeeper’s body, especially her head or neck.
3. A dangerous shot does not apply if goalkeeper has time to react or moves into the ball. -
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Participants are expected to uphold the highest levels of sportsmanship at all times. Arguing, threatening, the use of profane language or obscene gestures by players, coaches or spectators shall result in a penalty. Penalty Administration for
Major Fouls in the Critical Scoring Area:
For a major foul by a defense player which occurs in the 8-meter arc:
» The player who was fouled will move to a 8-meter hash mark nearest the spot of the foul.
» The player who fouled moves 4 meters directly behind the player taking the free position.
» All players’ and sticks must be cleared from the penalty zone.
» The goalkeeper in the 8-meter may clear back into the goal circle if she did not foul.
» A defender may take a position at each hash mark adjacent to the player with the ball on an 8-meter free position.
12U LACROSSE (AB 5&6)
PHILOSOPHY OF 12U LACROSSE
This level of lacrosse is where young athletes are honing their technical skills and begin building the tactical skills needed in lacrosse. With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize:
FUN » USING TECHNICAL SKILLS IN GAME »EXPLORING AND APPLYING NEW TACTICAL SKILLS » SPORTSMANSHIP
12U GIRLS’ GAME FORMAT SUMMARY AND EQUIPMENT
» 8v8 (cross field) or 12v12 (full field) includes goalies
» Traditional stick and balls
» Officials are required
» Score can be kept
12U GIRLS’ RULES OVERVIEW
» At the draw players line up in both offensive and defensive end, traditional line up
» Draws after goals: Mercy rule should be applied at 4-goal differential unless waived by the losing team coach.
» Modified checking is allowed and 3-seconds closely guarded applies
