We will follow AYL Lacrosse Rules, unless modified herein.

The Field – Spectator Restrictions

a.  Spectators and media, including photographers, are not allowed behind the end lines except in stadium structures where permanent seats exist which are also protected by a fence or netting.  All spectators must be on the opposite of the field from the players on their bench side of the midfield line.

b.  Spectators must be on the side of the field opposite the table and bench areas or in permanent stands separated from the bench area by a barrier and/or a buffer distance such as a track.

c.  Where possible, limit lines will be used. Spectators and media, including photographers, are not allowed within the limit lines at any time during a contest.

If the field is laid out in a manner that does not allow spectators and media to be located as prescribed by paragraphs a, b and c of this rule, as modified here, the game official can waive one or more of these requirements.

1.  10v10 divisions (U10-U15): 10 players from each team on playing field (3 Attack, 3 Midfield, 3 Defense, 1 goalie). 

2.  7v7 divisions (U7, U8, U9 ): 7 players from each team on playing field (2 Attack, 2 Midfield, 2 Defense, 1 goalie). 

3.  Over and back rule applies to 4th-8th divisions.

4.  Quick restarts will be implemented for all age divisions.

5. On flag down, the fouling team must gain possession before play is blown dead.  The play can be called dead when the ball exits the playing field.  Loose ball does not blow the play dead.  

6.  7v7 Divisions:  Coach on Field is permitted at the U9, U8, & U7, if the coaches from both teams agree, one coach per team may be allowed on the field during play to provide instruction during the game. Teams are encouraged to take advantage of this teaching opportunity but this presence does not authorize the coach on the field to address the game officials or, unless agreed to by the other team’s coach, members of the opposing team. Coaches are required to stay on the opposite box side of the field, wider than the face off wing lines extended to the end line, and not get in the way of players or officials.  

The 1 Pass Rule is in effect for 1st-3rd divisions.  A player must be “hot” in order to shoot on goal.  A player is considered “hot” when a pass is attempted (does not have to be caught) in the offensive zone.  A pass must be completed if thrown from defensive zone to offensive zone, in order for player to be “hot”.  A team is no longer hot if the ball crosses the midline from the offensive zone to the defensive zone.  The pass has to be a legitimate overhand pass attempt; any blatant roll will not be considered a pass.  Goalie can't score on himself.  If a penalty occurs while a player is “hot”, they are still “hot”. The penalty does not affect this. The only time you don’t become “hot” is when the ball crosses midfield.

In the event a player is penalized, the player must exit the field and serve the penalty. If multiple players commit fouls, the full time of all penalties will be served with a maximum of 1 in the box at a time.

“Man Down” will be in effect for 3rd-8th Grade.

Game Administration – Sideline Managers

Each team should provide a designated Sideline Manager (one adult per team, on site, per game-day contest) to help encourage, maintain, and manage the sportsmanlike behavior of spectators and fans and assist the coaches and officials in keeping spectators and media an appropriate distance from the sideline. If used, it is the responsibility of each team administration to ensure that the Sideline Manager is present and in place to perform his/her duties; however, this is not a game day rule to be enforced by the officials.

Field Size

U12, U13 & U15 will play on a modified field (100x45).

U9 (10v10), U10, U11, will play on a modified field (95x45).  

U7, U8, U9, will play on 7v7 fields.  

Game Duration

1 Hour Time Blocks Round Robin & Seeded Games

- Two (2) twenty two (22) minute running halves.

- Three (3) Timeouts per a game, per a team. No more than 2 timeouts per half

- Timeouts will be one (1) minute in length.

- The timeout will stop the clock.

- Round Robin Ties will be decided by 5 Minute sudden death overtime, then braveheart.  

- Championship games will be 5 Minutes sudden death overtime periods. No braveheart in Championship Games.

- Halftime will be three (3) minutes.

- The last two (2) minutes of the game will be stop time unless there is a 2 or more goal lead.

- Timeouts are allowed to be used in the final 2 minutes.

- Penalties ARE stop time.

Clarification on game clock and penalty time:

The game clock will never stop except if there is a 2 goal or less differential in the last 2 minutes of the second half, or during a referee or coach timeout.  However, all penalties will be stop time.  Table staff will keep penalty time. Refs will keep game time.

The official score will be kept by both the table staff and one of the game officials. The table staff and the scoring official will confer after each goal and at all timeouts and period ending points to ensure score accuracy. After game is concluded the table staff and the scoring official will verbally agree on the final score before it is reported to tournament administration. The scoring official does not need to sign the score sheet.

Penalty minutes will carry over from one half to the next.

Tournament Bracketing/Seeding

In general, pool play/qualifying phase will make up each team’s first set of games.  Seeding and placement for the playoff phase will be determined by results in the pool/play qualifying phase.  Rules for breaking seeding ties are as follow.

Tiebreaker:

Wins

Head to head (only applicable if two teams are tied, if criteria applies to 3 teams - tie breaker moves to GA)

GA

GF

Braveheart

**In the event a division has an uneven amount of teams, some teams may play an extra game, so additional round robin games will not count towards seeding.**

Advancing the Ball RULE

U15: The defensive 20-second count will be used. The offensive 10-second count will be used.

U13 and under: The defensive 20-second count WILL NOT be used. The offensive 10-second count WILL NOT be used.

The 4 second crease count for the goalie is applicable to all divisions. There are no counts for advancement of the ball in the youth divisions.

Over and Back Rule:  

U10-U15:  Once the ball has been successfully advanced into the goal area, a team is provided the opportunity to run its offense in its offensive half of the field. If the offensive team carries, passes or propels the ball to its defensive half of the field and the offensive team was last in possession, and last touched the ball (except on shot), the result will be an immediate a turnover or play-on. If the ball does not touch or go over the centerline, no infraction has occurred. Players may legally bat the ball to keep it in the offensive half of the field, but if it is possessed and their feet are in the defensive half, it shall be a turnover.

Team Rosters

Roster Size: A team must have a minimum of 10 players (1 goalie and 9 field players) present to begin a game. If, after the 15 minute grace period (outlined below in “forfeit” section), a team does not have the required minimum players the opposing team will be awarded a forfeit win. Roster maximum is 25.

Rosters are considered locked after the first game for each team begins.

7v7 Requires 7 Players (1 Goalie and 6 field players)

Each player is allowed to be listed on only one roster and play only for that team during the entire tournament. In the event a player played on multiple teams during the Spring season, an exception can be made if the tournament is notified prior to the event.  

Age cutoffs are as follows:

U7:  cannot turn 8 before June 1, 2023 or 1st Grade

U8:  cannot turn 9 before June 1 of event born after June 1, 2014 or in 2nd Grade

U9:  cannot turn 10 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2013 or 3rd Grade

U10: cannot turn 11 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2012 or 4th Grade

U11: cannot turn 12 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2011 or 5th Grade

U12: cannot turn 13 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2010 or 6th Grade

U13: cannot turn 14 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2009  or 7th Grade

U15: cannot turn 15 before June 1 of event or after June 1, 2008 or 8th Grade

**Players are eligible to play in the age division that they played in during the Spring 2024 season.  For Example, a U12/7th Grade player can play in the U12/4th grade division in the tournament, not U11 or lower.**

Final 2 Minutes of Regulation

6th-8th divisions: All teams playing in the U13 and U15 divisions will play “Keep it in”.  During the final two minutes of regulation play when there is a lead of 2 goals or less, offensive-stalling rules shall be in effect. The team that is ahead is required to “keep it in” once the ball has been brought into its respective attack area. 

** When the score is tied, neither team is forced to keep the ball in the attack area, unless warned to “keep it in” due to stalling. **

 Overtime

All divisions, round robin games will be decided by a 5 minute overtime, if overtime does not yield a winner, teams will play a Braveheart (1 player must stay back at all times - goalie is allowed to cross in the event one player is onsides).  No substitutions.  

Playoff games will be decided by sudden death overtime only - no Braveheart.

Forfeits

If a team forfeits 1 (one) game in pool play and cannot present a valid reason to tournament administration for doing so, the team will be removed from the tournament.

If a team forfeits 1 (one) game in playoff/tournament play and cannot present a valid reason to tournament administration for doing so, the team will be removed from the tournament.

Note: All forfeit situations will be considered on a case by case basis by tournament administration.

Fighting

Fighting will not be tolerated at the event. Any player, coach or spectator that is involved in a fight will be immediately ejected from the game and the remainder of the tournament. If the ejected person refuses to leave the field of play or continues to cause a disturbance that prohibits the game from proceeding, staff reserves the right to eject that person from the facility or contact local law enforcement.

In the case of a fight during a game, staff will defer to the game officials to determine which players were involved and should receive punishment. Staff will not take suggestions from anyone other than a tournament official (game official, scorer’s table staff, or tournament staff) as to what players were involved in a fight.

The game officials reserve the right to end a game if the game cannot be safely controlled.

Ejection from a game

If a player or coach or any other team representative (players & coaching staff) is ejected from a game for any reason other than fighting (player receives 5 penalties in one game, coaches or bench are given game misconduct) that person will be removed for the rest of the current game.

Also they will serve an additional suspension of the team’s next scheduled game including overtime that is attached to the said scheduled game.

Protests

Referee calls of any kind are not grounds for protest.  Tournament administration will stand behind calls made by game officials and will not change or override any call made on the field of play.

Note on roster checks: If a team suspects that another team is playing with an illegal roster of any kind, the head coach must alert the tournament staff located at the main tent. Table staff will contact tournament administration. See the definition of an illegal roster below.

Each team in the tournament is allowed to call for only one (1) roster check during an entire tournament and it must come from the head coach. If a roster check is called, Boom Town staff will check the rosters of BOTH teams involved in the game in question. The game clock will continue and game will continue as the roster check is completed.  

All roster checks must be called for during the game in question. Once the game is over, no roster check will be performed.

The following scenarios are deemed by Boom Town as teams using “illegal rosters”:

*Players not listed on the team’s official tournament roster

*Players participating on more than one team in the tournament

*New players appearing for games that are not listed on the official roster

*Players participating that are too old for the division

*Players with incomplete waivers

If during the course of a roster check, it is determined that a team is using an illegal roster, tournament administration will take appropriate disciplinary action. Disciplinary actions may rise to the level of team disqualification from the tournament if the facts of the case warrant such a penalty. The tournament administration reserves the right to administer punishment as it sees fit.

Notes: It is allowable for a player to appear for a team after the tournament has begun as long as that player was listed on the original roster before the team’s first game began.  

Rosters must be made up of the team’s Spring roster.  Club teams are not allowed.  However, in the event a team is unable to field a team with their Spring roster, players may be added to the roster, if and only approved by the tournament.  Players cannot play down in competition, or age.  Administrators must verbally or physically sign off on a players age and division.  

If a jersey switch of any kind becomes necessary during the tournament for any reason (inclement weather, jersey damage, etc) the team must get the approval of tournament administration

Note on Helmets

Hockey helmets (box helmets) are allowed to be used at Boom Town events.  All helmets must be Nocsae certified.  

Note on Penalties/Ejections for Goalies

Goalies will serve their own penalties at the during the tournament. If a goalie is ejected from a game, the game clock will be stopped if needed to allow a replacement goalie time to suit up in the proper equipment.

Note on Stick Checks

Each team is allowed to call for one (1) stick check per game. The call must be made to the game official and it must occur during a dead ball situation. The clock will stop during a stick check situation.

Coaches are only allowed one stick check per game!

30 seconds for illegal pocket (stop clock)

1 minute for illegal stick (stop clock)

If a stick is legal the challenging team will either lose a timeout or be charged a technical foul if the team does not have a timeout.

6,7,8th Grade- One handed stick checks are allowed provided they are legal and safe checks.

Note on Long poles

5th/U11 and older are permitted to use poles

Note on Body Checks

For youth divisions (U7, U8, U9, U10, U11, U12, U13, U15): US Lacrosse checking rules will be in effect.

Illegal Body-Check

An avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball is an illegal body check. All stick checks, body checks, legal holds, and legal pushes must be on a player in possession of the ball or within 3 yards of a loose ball or ball in flight

The definitions below supplement, but do not supplant, all aspects, points of emphasis, and Play Rulings of NFHS Rule 5-3.

NO TAKE-OUT CHECKS ARE PERMITTED BY ANY PLAYER AT ANY AGE LEVEL.

A take-out check is defined as:

a.                          Any body check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

b.                          Any body checks considered more aggressive or more physical than necessary to stop the advancement of the player carrying the ball or to keep or move a player away from a loose ball. This includes but is not limited to: (i) any check in which a player makes contact with sufficient force and intent to knock down the opposing player; (ii) any check in which a player makes contact with sufficient force and intent to injure the opposing player; and (iii) any check made in a reckless or intimidating manner.

c.              Any body check on a player in a defenseless position. This includes but is not limited to: (i) body checking a player from his “blind side”; (ii) body checking a player who has his head down in an attempt to play a loose ball; and (iii) body checking a player whose head is turned away to receive a pass, even if that player turns toward the contact immediately before the body check. NOTE: Sports medicine research indicates that the severity of certain injuries may be reduced if a player can anticipate and prepare himself for an oncoming hit. Other sports medicine research indicates that peripheral vision may not be fully developed in many boys before approximately age fifteen. Game officials should be especially alert to blind side checks at all youth levels.  U15 and U13  Body Checking is permitted. To be legal a body check should be delivered in a generally upright position with both hands on the stick and the player initiating the check may not use his lowered head or shoulder to make the initial contact.  U11 and U9  No body checking of any kind is permitted.  Legal pushes   In all loose ball situations players

should “play the ball,” but incidental contact, “boxing out”, or screening techniques during such play shall not be considered a violation of this rule.  If a loose ball is not moving, stuck, or the players are having difficulty picking the ball up the referee may re-start play following the alternate possession rule.  Checks Involving the Neck/Head.  A player shall not initiate contact to an opponent’s head or neck with a slash, cross-check, or with any part of his body (head, elbow, shoulder, etc.), including any follow through to the head or neck.   Blocking of an opponent with the head or initiating contact with the head, including by an offensive player in possession of the ball (known as spearing).

Mercy Rule- will apply to all divisions at 6 goals or more.

Slashing

6,7,8th Grade- One handed stick checks are allowed provided they are legal and safe checks.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Unsportsmanlike conduct by coaches and/or players will not be tolerated. Obscenities need not be used for language to draw a penalty. Tone, intent, and body language can all contribute to unsportsmanlike conduct. Players and coaches will exhibit the highest level of sportsmanship at all times. This means that in addition to the unsportsmanlike examples contained in NFHS Rule 5-10, any player or coach who uses derogatory or profane language on the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach, or official may receive: first offense, 1 to 3-minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty; second offense, a 3-minute non-releasable expulsion foul.

Fouling Out-

1st-8th Grade

Any player who accumulates 3 fouls or 5 minutes in any type of foul penalty time shall be disqualified from the game. They will be allowed in the next game.

Note on Weather

Tournament staff will make any and all decisions concerning delaying or canceling of games due to inclement weather. Championship games only count if 2 quarters are completed.  Officials, coaches, parent or any other non-tournament staff member should not attempt to stop a game because of inclement weather. Any concerns over weather should be addressed to tournament staff.  

Tournament administration reserves the right to final say on all matters