FGLL Rules Card
Umpires are reminded about the following FGLL-specific rules
Field Preparation
· Grades 3-8 play on standard field (90-120 x 50-70 yds)
· Grades 1/2 play on small field (50-70 x 25 yds).
· All spectators/parents must sit on opposite side of field from players and are not permitted to coach from that sideline.
· Cones put on the field 5 yds on either side of the center line to denote the substitution area. All players must leave and enter the field through this area
Team size
· Grades 7/8 and Grades 5/6 play eleven field players and one goalkeeper. Offsides? Must always have 4 players back behind the restraining line. This leaves 7 players within the offensive zone or if your team is on defense, 7 players and a goalie. The only exception is when your player is serving a penalty, you will only have 6 in the offensive zone or defensive zone.
· Grades 3/4 play nine field players and one goalkeeper. Offsides? Must always have 3 players back behind the restraining line. This leaves 6 players within the offensive zone or if your team is on defense, 6 players and a goalie. The only exception is when your player is serving a penalty, you will only have 5 in the offensive zone or defensive zone.
· Grades 1/2 play with seven field players plus one optional goalkeeper.
Coaches
· Grades 7/8 – Coaches allowed between their own end line and the substitution line
· Grades 5/6 – Coaches allowed between their own end line and the substitution line
· Grades 3/4 – Coaches allowed to walk up and down the entire sidelines
· Grades 1/2 – One coach is allowed to be on the field directing players
Lacrosse sticks
· Grades 3-8 use regulation pocket (For Grade 3/4, stick check at Umpire discretion).
· Boys’ lacrosse sticks are not allowed.
· Shooting String rule: There may be no more than two coils or twists of the shooting string “between the thongs” (vertical strings, or leather, or synthetic stringing). The total number of coils or twists of the shooting string between the thongs should be counted. Do not count the twists or coils between the thongs and the sidewall. It does not matter if the cross lacing comes between the coils or twists.
· See US lacrosse Link for description of rule and pictures of both legal and illegal stringing: http://www.uslacrosse.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=mInTcJMpaF8%3D&tabid=2459
Duration of Play
· Grades 5/6 and 7/8 play 25-minutes running time per half.
· Grades 3/4 play 20 minutes running half
· Grades 1/2 play 20 minutes running half. Clock does not stop for whistles in final two minutes of either half.
· For all grades: One 2-minute time-out per half per team. Clock stops during time outs.
Three Pass Rule (3/4 AND 5/6 GRADE ONLY)
· There is no three pass rule for the 7/8 grade
No player may shoot until her team has attempted or completed three passes (Minor Foul)
1. Keeper clear is counted as 1 pass. If the ball is played back to keeper, pass count stays at 1.
2. Pass or attempt is counted when receiver gains control of ball (not when passer throws it).
3. If a team loses ball to the opposing team (opposing team gains control of ball), pass count automatically resets to 0.
4. If keeper makes save and retains control of ball, pass count resets to zero. Even if attacking team intercepts keeper clear, they must make 3 more passes before shooting.
5. If keeper makes save but does not retain control of ball (rebound is outside goal circle), attacking team can pick up ball and immediately shoot because they retain accumulated pass count.
6. Umpires (not coaches) are responsible for audibly counting pass completions. Umpires should avoid saying, "you may shoot” / "go to goal." They should say, "you have 3 passes."
Note: Umpires use their judgment in determining what is a legitimate pass in each game.
Checking
· No checking Grade 3/4, 5/6 (Major Foul).
· Grade 7/8 modified checking only – entire stick below shoulder (Major Foul).
· NOTE: Stick-to-stick contact does not necessarily violate this rule if the attack player (not defender) initiates the contact.
Scoring
· No scoreboards allowed. Coaches will keep score and notify umpire if there is a four-goal differential.
· Team with fewer goals can choose free position at midfield rather than a draw.
· Coaches should discretely adjust play in lopsided games.
Zero Tolerance
· FGLL has zero tolerance for misconduct of players, coaches or followers.
· FGLL defines misconduct as any action taken by an individual that interferes with the safety and/or sportsmanship of the game, including verbal comments to umpires, players or coaches.
· A team follower’s misconduct may result in a yellow or red card assessed to the coach.
· Penalties assessed for misconduct must be reported to the FGLL Competition Committee via an incident report (www.fgll.org).
Umpires are reminded about the following US Lacrosse Youth Rules
Defensive 3-seconds
No holding the ball for more than 3 seconds when closely guarded/marked and the defense has both hands on her stick and is in position to legally check were checking allowed. (All levels, Minor Foul)
Goal circle
If any part of the player’s body or stick crosses over the goal circle, the goal does not count.
Goalie Clear
No deputy is allowed at any level.
Yellow Card - The player must leave the field for two minutes and the team must play short of player below the restraining lines on each end of the field. This means you must always have 4 back behind the restraining line. The penalty is 2 minutes and must be served completely. The penalty is not waived off after a goal.
Referee Fees:
All age levels - Head Certified Referee -$70 (each team is responsible for $35)
2 Certified Referees - $50 each (Each Team is responsible for $25 per referee)
Trailer/Junior Referee - $30 (Each Team is responsible for $15)
