i9 Sports Lacrosse Instructional Rules 10/10/2012
Overview i9 Sports Lacrosse Instructional Rules i9 Sports Lacrosse instructional league is a growing program game filled with fun and action. The instructional league includes beginner lacrosse players as well as those that have played before. Remember that this is an instructional league. The kids will learn A LOT about lacrosse, but we keep FUN our # 1 focus. This means equal playing time for everyone! In Lacrosse, the offensive team s objective is to try to score in the opponent s net. This is done by passing the ball between teammates using your stick only. Players are not allowed to pass the ball or score with their hands. They may, however, use their feet to kick the ball. The defensive team tries to steal the ball from the offensive team by intercepting a pass or by controlled sticking checking. Controlled stick checking means the defender can attempt to poke the head of the offensive players stick (The netting part of the stick where the ball is cradled) to knock the ball free. There is NO intentional contact between players and a defensive player cannot hit the offensive player in the body with their stick at any time. A defensive player cannot slash the offensive player s stick, just poke at it. Program Format: Each Saturday, players will practice in 1 or more groups and receive instruction from an experienced lacrosse instructor and any volunteer assitants and then be split into teams to play a scrimmage game. Teams may change on a week to week basis as coaches strive to split their groups up into evenly matched sides for the benefit of the kids. There will be no scores or standings kept and the focus will simply be on having fun learning and developing lacrosse skills and playing games once a week on Saturdays! Instructors: All instructors will have lacrosse experience! Parents can volunteer as assistants. Both instructors and volunteers will be screened. Equipment: All participants will receive an i9 Sports jersey, 1 mouth guard (required) during all practices and games. We will also provide loaner equipment each week which includes a Lacrosse stick (soft head only) & eye protection. Players may bring their own equipment, if preferred. Note: You may find the above items at Academy Sports and Outdoors or online. Once purchased, kids may re-use their equipment for several leagues and camps throughout their lacrosse career! Page 2 of 5
Typical Practice Sessions A normal day consists of 45 minutes of instruction, and 45 minutes of game/scrimmage play o Instruction During the instruction portion each week, our paid instructor(s) in addition to our volunteer coaches will go over the specific skills that the players will work on each week. The players will work on some skills as a whole group, and will work on others in smaller groups/teams. The paid instructors lead the practices in whole and rotate amongst the groups, while the volunteer coaches are each assigned to a group/team each practice session. o Game/Scrimmage Play After the instruction portion, the coaches will split up the kids into their teams, and the players will play in several mini games. These mini games are designed to give the players a fun experience playing lacrosse in a game situation. During the games not all Lacrosse rules are always enforced, as we are focusing on the basic fundamentals of the game. The games will last for approximately 30-45 minutes (depending on how much time is used for practice) Total time of the session not to last more than 1 ½ hours. Basic Skills Taught Passing Catching Cradling Scooping (Picking up a ground ball) Shooting Dodging/Spinning (avoiding contact with opposing players) Timing Typically games/scrimmages normally are played in two 20 minute halves with a running clock. There are no officials instructor and volunteer assistant coaches will monitor play. Scoring A goal is worth one point. There will be no score keeping nor standings kept Page 3 of 5
BASIC RULES OF THE GAME Out of Bounds When a shot is taken and the ball goes out of bounds on the sideline, the defensive team will get the ball. If the ball goes out of bounds at the end line, the team with the player closest to the end line when the ball goes out will get the ball. If the ball goes out of bounds, the player who gets the ball starts 1 yard in from the sideline or end line and everyone must be at least 5 yards from that player. When the whistle blows, the player can run with the ball or pass it. Defensive Penalties Slashing - Hitting another player with your lacrosse stick above his shoulders, below his waist or on his back. Illegal Cross Check - Pushing a player with your stick when your hands are wide apart on the stick. A legal cross-check requires your hands must be close together in the stick's center. Tripping - Tripping another player or obstruct him/her at or below the waist with your lacrosse stick, arms, legs, hands or feet. Illegal Body Check - Illegal body checking occurs when you check an opponent, who doesn't have ball possession or if he is within five yards of a loose ball, or for checking an opponent above his shoulders or below the waist when you only have one hand on your stick, or for checking an opponent after he/she passes or shoots the ball. Unsportsmanlike Conduct - If you argue, taunt or use obscene language or gestures. Players and coaches may receive penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct. Crease Infraction - A defensive crease infraction results from a defensive player entering the crease with the ball or from a goalie re-entering the crease with the ball. Offside If you have more than five players in the defensive zone. Offensive Penalties Stiff Arm - Using your off arm to shove, hold, or control your opponent s stick. Holding - Impede your opponent's movement or his stick mobility and you receive a penalty for holding. Interference - If you interfere with your opponent's movement, unless she has ball possession, the ball is in the air within five yards of you, or both you and your opponent are within 5 yards of a loose ball. Blocking - Move into and make contact with a defensive player when you're on offense with the intent of blocking him from the player he's guarding and you receive a penalty for screening. Page 4 of 5
Attire Stalling - Get a stalling penalty when your team intentionally runs time off the clock by holding the ball and not conducting offensive play. Crease Infraction - Enter the crease as an offensive player and receive an offensive crease infraction. Offside If you have more than five players in the offensive zone. Cleats are allowed, except for metal spikes. Inspections will be made. All players must wear a protective mouth guard and eye protection o i9 Sports will provide the first mouth guard (more available for purchase at the fields) o Loaner eye protection will be available for loan from i9 Sports, if needed. Players may wear knee pads, elbow pads, shin guards, and a chest pad if they would like. (Not required, but if desired parents must provide) The official i9 Sports jerseys must be worn during play. Equipment Stick loaners provided by i9 Sports Parents may provide their own Balls provided by i9 Sports Goals provided by i9 Sports No Pads and No Helmets will be used (The league is intended to teach only the basic skills to beginners and smaller players with no instruction given or encouraged on how to check a players nor making any physical contact with the other players. Aggressive play will be discouraged) Playing Field Field dimensions (approximate): 40 yards long X 25 yards wide. From midfield to the goal line is 25 yards and from the goal line to the end line is 15 yards. Sportsmanship/Roughing If the instructor or volunteer coaches witness any acts of checking, elbowing, cheap shots, blocking or any unsportsmanlike act, the player will be warned the first time and will be removed from practice or the game/scrimmage. If the act is serious enough the first time, the instructor or coach may choose to remove the player immediately with no further warning. FOUL PLAY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. Trash talking is illegal. Officials have the right to determine offensive language. (Trash talk is talk that may be offensive to officials, opposing players, teams or spectators.) If trash talking occurs, the referee will give one warning. If it continues, the player or players will be ejected from the game. and the most important rule of all... HAVE FUN!!! Page 5 of 5