LEAGUE RULES

Point of Emphasis for Officials, Coaches, Players and Fans

1.        The Far Post is hosting the High School Winter Lacrosse League (the “League”) with the understanding that all League play is for off-season developmental purposes and to prepare players for the outdoor game.

2.        Boys’ high school lacrosse rules apply, including those with regard to equipment and penalties, and shall be enforced in the same manner as in the outdoor game, except for a number of modifications that have been made to accommodate play on the smaller indoor fields or in the interests of player safety. 

Ø       While officials have been advised that the Far Post expects penalties to be called in accordance with the rules of lacrosse, the Far Post expects League officials to “err” on the side of safety.  All coaches involved with teams in the League are expected to understand and support the Far Post’s philosophy with regard to officiating as well as its rules for player conduct and safety.

Ø       MODIFIED RULES FOR CHECKING/HITTING/CONTACT: 

o        Except within five (5) yards from a loose ball, there shall be NO HITTING other than incidental contact. 

o        Big hits and overly physical play, even within five (5) yards from a loose ball, as well as excessive force, roughness, checking or hitting off the ball, constitutes unnecessary roughness and will result in a 1 minute penalty. 

o        For purposes of unnecessary roughness, the official in his judgment may rule that a player taking more than two (2) steps to deliver a hit has used excessive force.

o        SIDELINES/ENDLINES:  Unnecessary roughness or excessive contact along the sidelines or endlines, in particular, will not be permitted for reasons of player safety.  Officials are expected to use a quick whistle to manage play along the lines.

Ø       One Handed Checks:  One handed checks are permitted as long as they are not used with excessive force.

Ø       SPORTSMANSHIP:  Poor sportsmanship, taunting, trash talking, fighting or other unbecoming behavior on the part of players, coaches, parents or fans will not be tolerated.  All persons involved with the League or visiting the Far Post are expected to “Honor the Game” and act in a manner consistent with the businesslike operation of the Far Post.

o        Only head coaches are permitted to address the officials; coaches are expected to do so in a courteous manner.

o        Conduct fouls will result in the loss of possession or a 30 second penalty, in the discretion of the official.

o        Unsportsmanlike conduct will result in a 1 minute non-releasable penalty; provided, however, that the Far Post reserves the right to eject any particularly offending person from the game or the facility.

o        Ejection for any given player will result, at a minimum, in an automatic one-game suspension from the League.

o        Fighting will result in immediate ejection from the game, a one-game suspension from the League and/or expulsion of the offending players from the League without a refund. 

3.        All coaches with teams playing at the Far Post shall be given the right to evaluate officials and comment on the control of the games.  The Far Post will address any concerns with the officials as necessary or appropriate, in its reasonable discretion.

4.        The Far Post is a privately owned facility and management reserves the right to adopt and implement such other rules or regulations as it determines are necessary or appropriate to accommodate indoor play on a smaller playing field or the interests of player safety.

5.        The Far Post expects the officials, coaches, players and fans to comport themselves in accordance with the rules

MIDSEASON MODIFICATIONS

TIMING Procedure (3minutes in between games):

put up 48 minutes on scoreboard when game on the front end is over

47 minutes - whistle for beginning of game and starters on the field

45 minutes - games will start with face-off

One official should have a watch and know the game times they are unusual and not on the hour, but consistent

BODY CHECKS

No heavy collisions

EARLY SUBSTITUTIONS

One on - one off

all substitutions are on the fly - all substitutions are through the box

some teams are adding extra players and gaining an advantage particularly after goals

OVER and BACK - not an optional rule

10 Seconds to clear - not an optional rule

Starting ball with goalie after a goal (no face-off) - not an optional rule

Please limit benches to 2 coaches only

First hour games help putting nets on field

Last hour games take nets off the field

No equipment bags on field

Backcourt (over and back)
Teams must keep the ball in their offensive half after gaining possession or carrying
the ball with both feet across and making contact to that zone. If the ball goes
into the defensive half of the field for any reason other than a shot on goal or the
defensive team being the last to touch the ball, it shall be a back-court violation. The
ball touching the line, in this case is considered a back-court violation.

Reasons

1) forces action towards the net

2) teaches kids to attack pressure

3) teaches kids not to rollback up top

4) prevents stalling

5) teaches defenders about free doubles on the rollback

6) forces attackmen to run and get open and have proper spacing

7) teaches middies to deal with pressure

8) teaches defenders how and when to pressure

THANK YOU FOR HONORING THE GAME!