Rules and Penalties:
Briefing
Our indoor lacrosse leagues DO NOT play Box Lacrosse Rules. The rules overall are the same as field lacrosse with the following differences:
· NO crease dives.
· NO takeout body checks.
· Ball lodged or stuck in the Crosse will result in a change of possession.
· Offside’s - 2 field players must be in the offensive half at all times and 2 field players must remain in the defensive half at all times- 1 minute penalty
Fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind will NOT be tolerated and any player involved will be dismissed from the league with no refund. Any such behavior MUST be reported by the ref to the manager on duty.
I. Player Eligibility:
A. Age divisions are determined by a player’s birth date:
1. High School Varsity - Graduation year 2018 or after
2. High School JV - Graduation year 2020 or after
3. Midgets – Graduation year 2022 or after
B. A coach may enter two teams in the same age divisions under one roster. Since no awards are given in the high school divisions, teams may use players from another team in order to avoid a forfeit.
C. Rosters must be submitted prior to the first game for all leagues due to liability waiver. A link will usually be emailed to the team contact who must send it out to the players they want on the roster. This then adds them to the roster. However, additions to rosters can be made up until the start of the fourth game.
D. Players may move up to play in older division but may not move down. For example a Midget aged player may move up and play in the JV, but a JV aged player cannot play in the Midgets.
II. Protests:
A. The YMCA will not consider protests related to judgment calls of officials or application of rules. However, any suspected misapplication of rules may be brought to the attention of YMCA.
B. Protests concerning player eligibility must be made to game officials prior to the completion of that game. The game official may require protested player and coach to provide identity of player in question. Refusal to comply with this request shall result in immediate forfeiture and possible future ramifications.
C. All protests must be submitted in writing to the YMCA within two days of the date of the game. Coaches of protested players must provide proof of age (birth certificate) or grade (student ID or report card) to the league within five days after notification of such a protest and prior to the next game.
III. Suspensions:
A. The YMCA shall have authority to impose suspensions for any of the following reasons:
1. Unsportsmanlike conduct which causes any player or coach to be ejected from a game. Any player or coach that is ejected with less than five minutes left in a game may not play or coach in that team's next game. Players or coaches ejected with more than five minutes remaining must contact the league for approval to participate in the team's next game. Players or coaches issued a red card after any game will be suspended from that team’s next game or games.
2. Any verbal or physical abuse directed towards officials, opponents, or opposing coaches during or following a game will not be tolerated If there is any physical contact against an official, the offender will receive an automatic suspension for the season or longer. YMCA officials may extend said suspension for up to three years.
3. Spectators are considered an extension of the team. Harassment and unsportsmanlike conduct by spectators will not be tolerated. YMCA officials may take disciplinary action against teams for the conduct of their spectators.
B. The YMCA may level suspensions against teams, coaches, or individual players. Such suspensions may be for one game, several games, remainder of the season, or for several seasons as determined by the YMCA.
IV. Inclement Weather Policy:
A. In case of inclement weather cancellation information will be posted on our website, the team captains will be notified by email and the YMCA will try to notify all those on the roster electronically as well using their software. The YMCA will attempt to make all cancellations 2 hours prior to game time. If there is doubt, coaches only should email the league at sports@hanoverymca.org. Canceled games will be made up if possible but will not go past the designed end dates for particular age groups such as the High School division.
V. Scheduling:
A. Requests Prior to Schedules:
1. 1. Teams having special scheduling requests should have them on the online form when they register. Any requests received after the schedules have been made will probably be denied. Make-up times,
dates, and fields are at the discretion of the YMCA. Make-up games may be scheduled on weekday evenings, weekdays in which school is not in session, or teams may be scheduled two games on any given Saturday or Sunday.
2. Teams choosing to forfeit a game will be assessed a fee equal to the cost of the referees scheduled for that age division (the forfeiting team will pay for both team’s referee fees). This fee must be paid to the YMCA before the team’s next scheduled game. Any team forfeiting a game or games may be denied admittance to future sessions at YMCA
VI. Equipment:
A. Requirements:
1. The YMCA will provide game balls for all games but a team can supply a ball to be used if they wish.
2. No metal cleats or screw in spikes - solid cleats, indoor football shoes, or sneakers
3. All playing members of a team (except goalie) must have shirts of the same color and design. The referee reserves the right to require either team to wear pinnies/scrimmage vests supplied by the YMCA
4. All players are required to wear a mouth guard & Adult (helmet with chin strap, mouth guard, gloves, stick and elbow pads) & Youth (helmet with chin strap, gloves, stick, mouth guard, shoulder pads and elbow pads).
5. Goalies should wear all required field lacrosse equipment.
6. 6’X6’ goals will be used for play.
7. Yellow field paint will be the markings for lacrosse.
VII. Team Size
A. Requirement:
1. Varsity and JV - 7 per side; 6 field players and one goalie
2. Midgets and Juniors - 7 per side; 6 field players and one goalie
B. Playing Rules:
1. Time: Games will consist of two twenty-four minute halves with a running clock, for all age groups with a two minute halftime and a five minute transition time between games. Time is running except in cases of major injury or other situations deemed necessary by an official. After the officials have signaled for the teams to position themselves to start the game the official may start the clock and the game will begin when both teams are ready.
2. No timeouts.
3. The Draw will occur at the beginning of each half. One center from each team will draw at the center of the field. After a goal the play will start again with the goalie clearing to her defense.
4. Clears: A goalie has 10 seconds to clear the ball once he’s gained possession. If a goalie leaves the crease area with the ball he cannot return to the crease with possession of the ball.
5. A goalie must be present for each team. If a team does not have a goalie they may borrow the shooting guard from the YMCA to cover the goal they are defending. If this takes place the team with a keeper has the option of playing with a goalie and a shooting guard or just a goalie.
6. Substitutions are free and unlimited as long as such substitutions do not interfere with the flow of the game. Substitutions are on the fly but the player must be off of the field before the next player can go on the field. A two minute penalty may be assessed on any team making an illegal substitution.
7. Off Sides & Number of Players: The high school division will play 7 players (6 field players and one goalie) and can player 4 forward and 2 back (not including the goalie). The middle school divisions will play 7 players (6 field players and one goalie) and can play with 4 forward and 2 back (not including the goalie).
8. All fouls will be governed pursuant to US Lacrosse High School Rules including cardable fouls. All cardable fouls are 2 minute penalties. On the 4th card the team will play down for the remainder of the game.
9. All major and minor fouls will be governed by US Lacrosse High School Rules.
10. Middle school age groups will use US Lacrosse Rules and will play with US Lacrosse modified checking rules as state for particular age group.
11. All teams are to have an adult over the age of 21 on the sideline during play.
12. Standings will be kept on the website and scores will be reported by the officials and turned into the YMCA office at the conclusion of the day. Recorded scores of winning team will be given as a maximum 10 goal differential. (10-0, 11-1, 12-2, etc.).