Sycamore Lacrosse Association focuses on the development and instruction of girls and boys lacrosse players from kindergarten through grade six in the northeastern Cincinnati, Ohio area.
2009 GCYLL Boys Rules Addendum Revised 11/7/2008 Revision: Long Sticks for A and B level play only, all other combinations use short sticks. Game duration will be a 10-minute running clock instead of an 8-minute stop clock; all other times stay the same. Both A and B level of play will play “man up” and “man down” time serving penalties. Greater Cincinnati Youth Lacrosse League (Rules of Play) Competition among Greater Cincinnati Youth Lacrosse League Team Members (GCYLL) member teams is generally governed by the Boys Lacrosse Rules Book as written and amended from time to time by the National Federation of State High Schools Associations (NFHS) and the exceptions written to those rules by the US Lacrosse Youth Council for youth players 12 years and under in grade 6 or below.
Amendments, revisions, additions adopted by the GCYLL used in conjunction with the 2009 NFHS Rules are as per below (‘local rules’):
GCYLL Boys Divisions:
The divisions of team play are ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D’ and ‘Development’ levels. These levels are intended to better match ability and physical sizing for matched and competitive play. The participating organizations are responsible for self-assessment and declaration of team levels prior to season so teams can be groups and games assigned.
A = 6thand 5thgrade experienced level. Should be most experienced and capable players. Most body contact. Younger players may play up at individual discretion.
B = 6thand 5thgrade less experienced players. Less body contact than ‘A.’ Younger players may play up at individual discretion.
C = More experienced 4thand 3rdgrade players. 6thand 5thgrade players (beginners or experienced) may not play down.
D = Inexperienced 4thand 3rdgrade boys. 6thand 5thgrade players (beginners or experienced) may not play down.
Development = any programs with K, 1stor 2ndgrade players. Noncompetitive.
Game counts and Time Outs
No time counts-leaving defense or entering offensive zones. The 4 second count for goalie or defender in crease in possession is only standard count (other than 1 minute keep it in at game’s end). Each team has four (4) time-outs per game, two (2) time-outs per half, and one (1) time-out for each overtime period. Time out calls allowable with ball in possession anywhere on field. One minute stalling warning (keep it in) during the 4thperiod.
Alternate Possession Rule
Alternate possession rule is in effect (applicable to normal situations and also local rule ‘ground ball possession attempt termination by referee.’)
Game Duration
Game times for all divisions (A, B, C, and D) will be played on a 10 minute running time quarter; 4 minute overtime sudden death. There will be 2-minute intervals between quarters and 5 minute half times.
Penalties for the “A” and “B” level teams will be played “Man Up” and “Man Down” with time served.
Penalties for the “C” and “D” level teams will be played using the “Fast Break Penalty Rule.” This rule states “one middle fielder from the non-penalized team will get a fast break towards the opposing goal with the ball. The other middle fielders will be held at the middle field line by the referee for a period of 6 seconds. The middle fielders can only resume play after the referee has released them, at which time play resumes as usual.” Goal differentials: 1) ‘A’ division – face off after every goal, 2) ‘B,’ ‘C,” and ‘D’ divisions – after 4 goal differential, award ball to team with less goals at midfield. Body Contact ‘A’ and ‘B’ division is distinct from ‘C’ and ‘D.’ Division ‘A’ and ‘B’ – body checking allowed with following exceptions: 1) 5 step or less initiation to contact (otherwise, take out check and ‘unnecessary roughness’ penalty). Divisions ‘C’ and ‘D’ – a one step rule is in effect. This will allow contested ground balls but take body checking other than hold or ‘1 step check’ is not allowed. Penalties to support this approach at official’s discretion are illegal body check or unnecessary roughness.
Penalties
Division ‘A’ and ‘B’ will follow penalties per NFHA rules. Time serving penalties and man up / man down game conditions will be followed. Division ‘C’ and ‘D’ - no time serving penalties and man up or man down situations. Time serving penalties will be ‘served’ in running clock games by awarding ball to offended team at midfield in “fast break format.” Both teams will remain full strength. The offended team gets “fast break” 6 second advantage (boy with ball releases, rest of middies release 6 seconds later). It is recommended that personal foul infractions require offending player to visit penalty box for the appropriate game play time on fast break restart and substitute player be fielded. Five (5) penalties on any one player require that player to be removed from play for remainder of current contest.
Sticks / Illegal stick
Division A and B – illegal stick (length, pinched or pocket depth) is a 1:00 minute non-releasable (not 3:00 min.). Butt end violations follow current NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules (Rule 1, Section 7, Art. 3). No violation penalties for C and D divisions but obvious problems should be addressed as noticed by player, coaches and or/officials. Division C and D will restrict stick length to 42 inches (no long defense sticks, only exception is goalie stick). The ‘Development’ (grades 1-2) teams may reduce stick length up to 12” if needed due to size of player. Uniform Color / Co-ordination GCYLL waives all same color equipment rules, except uniform jersey.
Mouth guard violations
Mouth guard violations will be given penalty. Warnings will be given at start of game and halftime. This is safety issue and good behavior must be taught.
Ground Balls
Division B, C, D ground ball ‘latitude,’ or ‘ground ball possession attempt termination by referee.’ In overall interest of interest of game and skill development, the GCYLL encourages officials to stop extended ground ball scuffles after reasonable time (5-10 seconds if ball is ‘stuck’) and give ball on alternate possession or a push from behind call. Officials may also remove ball from ‘stuck’ position during live play and create open field condition by actively relocating ball.
Comments on game officiating
Officiating at these levels is more instructional in nature, explain calls as necessary and give latitude/warnings if reasonable to keep play in progress.
It is expected that officiating is more precise at ‘A’ division level games
Officiating at this levels is often performed by lesser experienced or new and up and coming officials. It can be expected that these games will not have same precision officiating as high school or NCAA sanctioned games. The GCYLL encourages member programs and teams to play in the spirit of the game and de-emphasize officiating mistakes or oversights at youth level. We are stressing player safety and place priority on calling body checking and unnecessary roughness.
Coaches are encouraged to engage with officials before and at halftime to discuss and clarify on field situations. Coaches are expected to be courteous to and supportive of the officials.
The GCYLL focus must to be support the growth of sport by good conduct and learning of the game and rules. The focus must also be on the development of qualified officials in a fostering environment and not an adversarial one.
Conduct Fouls
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Players or coaches or parents receiving two (2) unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a game will result in disqualification for the remainder of the game, with the coach required to counsel the player. Ejection from game also means non-participation in the next two (2) regularly scheduled contests. This does not include illegal stick rules violations. (Note: this is not the ‘conduct’ foul which is less severe foul usually used to ‘warn’ players or coaches with change of ball possession.)
Involved officials and coaches shall inform the league president of all disqualifications.
If a player or coach or parent receives a second Unsportsmanlike disqualification, the league president, the organization rep, the coach, and effected parties must meet to discuss the situation.
A subsequent third call of Unsportsmanlike play shall result in the player’s removal from play, without refund, for the remainder of the season.
Unsportsmanlike behaviors shall include, but not be limited to: fighting, intentional cursing, taunting, intimidating or any other type of behavior directed at officials, opponents, teammates or any other situation the game official deems to be Unsportsmanlike. Parent and spectator behaviors are also included.
Any behavior judged by the Board of Directors / Trustee to intentionally cause or attempt to cause physical harm to another person, shall result in the termination of the player from all GCYLL activities.
Positive Coaching Alliance and USL ‘Blue Card’ procedure
GCYLL will adopt and enforce the PCA / USL MDOC Blue Card to support effective game sportsmanship. The USL Youth Council has mandated use of this procedure in 2006 and beyond.
Time Serving Foul ‘Fast Break Mechanic’ for ‘C’ and ‘D’ level play
This year, in our youth C and D level boys’ lacrosse rec games, there will be a new mechanic for the running clock games with respect to time serving penalties.
The change will eliminate man up and man down play and the delays associated with implementing this on the field. The goal is to maximize playing time with running clock quarters. We have seen this applied in the east and at various lacrosse camps with success.
Teams will always play full strength.
Fast Break Procedure is as follows:
1. Flag down situation comes to end per normal guidelines. 2. Official calls color, number, penalty and time. 3. Player(s) committing foul leaves field and goes to penalty box. Serves penalty time and goes to special substitution area (if substitution eminent) or to bench. 4. Substitute player(s) comes on field to obtain full strength. 5. Middies from both teams assemble on the offensive half of midline. 6. Offended team awarded ball. One Middie from that team takes possession and is ready for play. Holds ball up. 7. The other 5 middies from both teams in ready position at midline. Offensive half has 3 attach, 3 defense and goalie. 8. Lead official signals ready. 9. Trail official will start play with winding motion and whistle. 10. The middie with ball will start fast break from midfield - NOTE: all other 5 middies hold for 6-second count. 11. Trail official counts 6 with arm signals and calls release on count six. 12. Five remaining middies release and join play.
If ball is lost to defense and defense gains possession prior to end of 6 count then release is called to free middies.
This procedure is used for all personal and timeserving technical fouls.
'A' and ‘B’ level teams will not use this procedure but will use normal NFHS rules with respect to time serving fouls and man up / man down. Submitted by GCYLL Executive Committee and Youth Director: Steve Peterson – President Sean Cole – Vice-President Tad Stokley – Secretary Bill Blake – SOLOA liaison and officiating coordinator Reed Schroeder – Commissioner James Rice – Director of Youth Lacrosse
