Stick: 35 1/2” to 43 ¼”, only 2 shooting strings which are not coiled more than twice between each thong and are not flat. To check if your pocket is legal: Hold your stick horizontal and drop a ball into the pocket. Press on the ball and release it, if the ball is visible over the plastic side of the stick then it is legal. If not – tighten your strings!
Goalie stick: 35 ½” to 48”.
Mouthpiece: Must fully cover all of your upper teeth. Not clear or white. Must be molded to fit your teeth.
Eye protection: Must meet ATSM standards so must be ADULT goggles (not youth)
No jewelry, except medic alert jewelry (must be securely taped)
Visible undergarments must be same for all team members, may be white, blue, or black. We will decide as a team the color of long tights and long sleeved or short sleeved shirts at the beginning of our season.
Team:
12 players: 4 attack (two – A1 or low attack, two - A2 or high attack, 3 midfield (one will take the draw), 4 defense (two -D1 or low defense, two -D2 or high defense), goalie. [Historically, starting from the goal you are defending the positions were called: Goalie, Point, Coverpoint, Third Man, right and left Defense Wings, Center, right and left Attack Wings, Third Home, Second Home and First Home. But the game has changed and most teams are going to the system outlined above.]
Team captains: Responsibilities on the field: to call the coin toss (when the visitor) for choice of ends, to agree on playing time and half time with ref, to indicate that her team is ready to play at the beginning of each half, to approach the ref for clarification of rules, to request a time out from ref.
Game:
Two 25 minute halves with 10 minute halftime (halftime can be shorter if agreed prior to game)
Change ends at halftime.
Clock stops on goals (unless one team is ahead by 10 goals) and on every whistle in the last 2 minutes of each half.
2 timeouts per game including overtime (timeouts are 2 min each)
If game is suspended due to weather the score will count if 40 min (80%) of the game has been played.
Overtime: If tied at end of regulation, then 5 min rest and a coin toss for end choice. Two 3-minute stop clock periods will be played with change of ends (but no rest) in middle. If still tied, 3 min rest, change ends and play “sudden victory” (first goal wins) 6 min period with change of ends at 3 min. 3 min rest between 6 min periods until victory.
Start of play:
Play starts from a draw at the beginning of each half and after a goal.
On draw 3 players from each team may be between the restraining lines.
Players must not enter the circle (or cross the restraining line for those below the restraining line) until the whistle blows but may move outside of the circle or below the restraining line.
The 2 players taking the draw must be motionless (except for head movement) until the whistle blows.
On the draw the ball must attain a height higher than the heads of the players taking the draw.
If ball goes out of bounds on draw then will have redraw.
Substitutions:
Substitutions are unlimited during play, after every goal and during halftime.
Procedure: Report to the scorer’s table before every substitution. During play stand near the substitution area and call your player’s name, when they are running off the field go into the substitution area. You may go onto the field when the player you are replacing has exited (both feet) the field through the substitution area. After a goal you may enter the field once the horn sounds to alert the ref of a sub (you don’t have to wait for the other player to come off the field first.)
Injury Timeouts:
If the ref calls a time-out for an injury the remaining players on the field should drop their sticks where they are standing to mark where they will return to when play resumes. They may then group together to talk or come to the sideline for a sip of water. They may not talk to the coaches.
If you are injured and the trainer or coach comes onto the field to help you then you must leave the field before you can play again. Another player will be substituted for you. If the trainer clears you to play you may enter the game again through regular substitution procedures.
During play:
On the whistle you must stop where you are (except goalie who can move within goal circle only)
Restraining line:
You may have no more than 7 players below the restraining line on attack and 7 players and the goalie below the restraining line on defense.
Those behind the restraining line may reach over with their stick and body but may not touch the line with their feet.
You may exchange players across the restraining line but one must exit with both feet before the next may enter the area below the restraining line.
Penalty For Restraining Line Violations (“Offsides”):
If the attack is offsides then the closest defender below the restraining line will take the free position in the center of the field 4 m. ahead of the restraining line and the closest attack from below the restraining line is placed on the restraining line 4m behind the player taking the free position. (If attack has the ball then the whistle should be blown right away. If the defense gets the ball before the foul is realized then the ref may hold the whistle if the defense keeps possession and clears it over the restraining line.)
If the defense is offsides and the ball is outside the critical scoring area (15 m in front of and to side of goal circle and 9 m below goal line extended) or below the goal line extended when the violation is called, the attack gets a free position at that spot (where the ball is when the whistle is blown.) The closest defender will go 4m behind and the defender closest to the restraining line will move back across.
If the defense is offsides and the ball is inside the critical scoring area and above the goal line extended when the violation is called, then the attack will be awarded a free position at the center of the 12 m arc. Closest defender will go 4 m. behind, defender closest to the restraining line goes back across, penalty lane is cleared, goalie returns to goal circle if needed.
Out of Bounds:
If you carry the ball out of bounds or are the last to touch the ball before it goes out of bounds then the other team gets possession EXCEPT on a shot or deflected shot.
To resume play when the ball goes out of bounds: nearest player on team to get ball will get ball 4 m inside boundary where ball went out (if this is goalie in goal circle, then gets ball in goal circle.)
All other players should stay where they were when whistle blew unless directed by ref to move. Opponents must give player with ball at least 1m of free space.
On shot or deflected shot the nearest player when ball goes over boundary line gets possession. She will get ball and stand 4m inside boundary from where it went out. Opponents must give her 1m of space.
You may not play the ball when your feet are out of bounds (or take an active part in the game).
You may not run out of bounds and then come back in at a more advantageous position.
Goal Circle Rules (aka Crease Rules):
Only one player allowed in goal circle at any one time (generally is goalie but could be her deputy).
Shooter may follow through into the goal circle/crease with her crosse only. May not step in the crease or follow through with her body into the crease. Shot must be initiated outside the crease.
Defense on the shooter may reach into crease with her crosse to block or check the shooter’s crosse but her feet may not touch the goal circle.
The goalie must clear the ball from the goal circle within 10 seconds or exit the goal circle with the ball. Once she exits the crease with the ball another player must play the ball before she can bring it back into the crease. If she does bring it back into crease she must roll it in and then follow it in herself.
Goalie may reach her crosse outside the goal circle and bring the ball back in as long as no part of her body is grounded outside the goal circle. She may cover the ball to do this only if no other player is within playing distance.
A deputy may enter and remain in the goal circle in place of the goalie only if her team has possession of the ball. She may prevent the ball from rolling across the goal line. She must clear the ball within 10 seconds of the ball entering the goal circle.
Penalty For Goal Circle Fouls (“Crease Violations”):
Fouls by defense result in indirect free position 12m out on the goal line extended. Offending player (except the goalie) is placed 4m away. Goalie stays at spot of foul or in goal circle (if she was within or partially within goal circle at time of foul.) On an indirect free position the attack may not shoot until the ball has been played by another player (you need to pass before you can shoot.)
Fouls by attack – ball goes to goalie in goal circle.
Major Fouls:
Rough/dangerous check – The direction of the check must be away from a seven-inch sphere around the head. An opponent may reach into the sphere to make a safe check. You may not hit or cause your opponent’s crosse to hit their body. You may check toward the body as long as it is controlled and the crosse and ball do not go into the sphere.
Check to the head (MANDATORY CARD): this includes causing her stick to hit her head
Slash (MANDATORY CARD): swinging your stick at an opponent with deliberate viciousness or recklessness, you may or may not have touched her or her stick
Holding: holding her stick with yours when she has the ball
Crosse in the sphere: holding your stick in the sphere around your opponent’s face or throat
Illegal Contact: initiate crosse to body, or body to crosse contact.
Illegal Use of the Crosse: using the crosse in a dangerous or intimidating manner (e.g. poking or waving your stick near her face, LOWERING THE HEAD OF YOUR STICK BELOW YOUR SHOULDER AND THEN CONTACTING HER WITH YOUR STICK, a sweeping check from behind that touches her body, or cross-checking – using the shaft of the stick to hit, push or displace your opponent)
Hooking: use the webbed area of your stick to hook the bottom end of your opponent’s stick
Reach across the body: reach across an opponent to check her stick when you are level with or behind her
Illegal Cradle: with or without cradling, hold your stick so close to your face or body that a legal check is impossible
Blocking: block your opponent by moving into her path without giving her a chance to stop or change direction
Charging: charge, barge, shoulder or back into an opponent
Pushing: pushing opponent with hand or body
Obstruction of free space to goal (“shooting space”): when you are on defense you may not stand between the ball/shooter and the goal so that the she would have to shoot into your body to score unless you are marking an opponent within a stick’s length (the ball carrier MUST be looking to score for this call to be made)
Three seconds: once the ball crosses the restraining line the defense may not be in the 8 meter arc (the fan) for more than 3 seconds unless you are marking an opponent within a stick’s length of you. Except if you are double teaming the ball carrier OR your player is directly behind the goal cage (but watch out for shooting space). If you are double teaming a player without the ball one of you must be abiding by the 3 second rule.
Illegal Pick: set a moving or stationary pick out of the visual field of an opponent which does not allow enough time or space to stop or change direction and contact occurs
Tripping: deliberate or not
Detaining: detain an opponent at anytime by holding or pushing against her body, clothing or crosse with an arm, leg, body or crosse. You may not hold your crosse in such a way that you restrain or hold back another player.
False Start: move before the whistle
Playing the Ball off an Opponent: push or bat the ball into someone else causing it to go out of bounds
Dangerous Propelling: (MANDATORY CARD): propel the ball with your stick in a dangerous or uncontrolled manner (Any shot directed at or taken without regard to the positioning of a field player is dangerous propelling.)
Dangerous Follow-Through (MANDATORY CARD): follow through with your stick in a dangerous or uncontrolled manner at any time
Dangerous Shot: shoot dangerously or without control. Judged on basis of distance, force and placement. Any shot directly at the goalie’s body, especially her head and neck. (This doesn’t apply if the goalie moves into the path of the ball.) Can still be dangerous even if it misses the goal.
Illegal Shot: shooting from an indirect free position
Penalties For Major Fouls – called a “free position”:
On the field: offending player stands 4 meters behind the player taking the free position.
In the critical scoring area, outside the 8 meter arc:
For a major foul by the defense, the free position is at the spot of the most recent foul. All players must clear the penalty lane (a lane to goal) by stepping sideways out of the lane. Your stick must also be out of the lane. The goalie can go back into the goal circle if she is in the penalty lane and did not commit the foul.
In the 8 meter arc:
For a major foul by the defense, all player’s bodies and sticks must clear the 8 meter arc and the penalty lane (if necessary.) Goalie may clear back to goal circle if she did not foul. All players must take the shortest route out. Player who was fouled goes to the hash closest to the foul (ref will tell you which one.) The fouling player goes directly behind on the 12 m arc.
Slow Whistle:
A held whistle for a Major Foul by the defense, in the critical scoring area when the attack player is on a scoring play.
Indicated by the ref holding up a yellow flag (she will hold it up as long as there is a held whistle.)
Scoring play: a continuous effort by the attacking team to move the ball toward the goal and to complete the shot on goal.
The scoring play is over when: a shot is taken, the attacking team loses possession of the ball, the attacking team passes or carries the ball behind the level of the goal line AND stops the continuous attempt to score, the attacking team stops the continuous attempt to score, the attacking team fouls, the player with the ball is forced by the defense to lose her forward momentum.
On a held whistle – if the attacking team chooses to shoot, then the advantage indicated by the flag is complete, the ref lowers the flag and play continues.
If the attacking team does not shoot and the scoring play ends, then a free position is awarded to the player fouled or the attack player nearest the spot of the foul. If 2 fouls were made by defense then the free position is on the 8 m arc.
Minor Fouls:
Covering: guard the ball with foot or crosse
Empty stick check: check your opponent when she does not have the ball
Warding off: guard the crosse with an arm.
Hand ball: touch the ball with your hand (except goalkeeper or her deputy in the goal circle)
Squeeze the head of the crosse: use your hand or body to keep the ball in your crosse
Body Ball: allow any part of your body to DELIBERATELY impede, accelerate, or change the direction of the ball. (Accidental contact with the ball is not a foul anymore!!)
Throw your stick in any circumstance
Take part in the game if you are not holding your stick
Illegal Draw: draw too soon, don’t draw up and away, the drawing player moves after the ref says “ready” and before the whistle, ball doesn’t go higher than the heads of the players taking the draw
On the draw, step on or into the center circle or on or over the restraining line before the whistle
Illegal crosse: play with a stick that doesn’t meet specifications including scoring a goal
Adjust the strings of your stick after an inspection of your stick has been requested during the game (a “stick check” is called for by your opponent)
More than once request a “stick check” on a stick that then passes
Fail to be ready to start after a 2-min time out or after half-time
Wear jewelry while playing
Illegal uniform
Illegal substitution
Delay of Game: intentionally delay game by – e.g. failing to stand when whistle is blown (“creeping”), failing to move 4m away on a free position, failing to wear your mouthguard in your mouth correctly, failing to wear eye protection,
Play from Out of Bounds: take an active part in the game when your feet are out of bounds
Illegal Re-entry: run out of bounds and come back in at a more advantageous position
Illegal Timeout: requesting more than 2 timeouts per game
Penalties For Minor Fouls - called a “free position”:
On the field:
Offending player stands 4 meters away in the direction from which she approached before committing the foul.
Within the 12 meter fan:
Minor Foul by defense: player fouled moves to nearest spot on 12 m arc. Fouling player moves 4m from the player taking the free position in the same direction as their relative position at the time of the foul (not usually directly behind). This is an INDIRECT FREE POSITION (so you can’t shoot until another player has played the ball so pass the ball…)
Minor foul by attack: player fouled will take the free position at the spot of the foul (but no closer than 8m to the goal circle)
Misconduct Fouls:
Excessively rough, dangerous, or unsportsmanlike play
Persistent or flagrant violation of the rules
Deliberately endangering the safety of an opposing player
Baiting or taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule, or demean others
Excessive dissent or abusive language (e.g. talking back to the ref)
Non-playing team member leaving the team bench area during the game
Coach leaving their coaching area
Re-entering the game before yellow card penalty time has elapsed
Penalty for Misconduct Fouls:
For a yellow card you must leave the game and cannot reenter for 3 min of elapsed playing time. (If this is the goalie and there is no other “dressed” goalie then she can remain in the game and another player is chosen to come off the field for 3 minutes.) NO SUBSTITUTION IS MADE so your team plays a man down for 3 min.
For a SECOND yellow card for any individual you may not return to the game (this includes the goalkeeper) AND you may not play in the next game.
For the THIRD yellow card for the team (add up all individual yellow cards) the team will play one player down for the rest of the game including overtime. For the FOURTH the team plays another player down for the rest of the game including overtime. And so on…
For any red card, you are suspended from that game AND the next TWO games.
