All parents should be familiar with the US Lacrosse publication Youth Rules and Best Practices for Boys. It will describe the rules of boys lacrosse complete with signals used by the referees. You don't need to read everything. Start reading on page 50 to get into the rules of the game. It will help you understand and enjoy the game more. Youth Rules and Best Practices for Boys
Elmira Youth Lacrosse will compete primarily in the Finger Lakes Lacrosse League. For these games we will follow the NFHS (High School) rules as modified by the youth rules of the league. These are slightly different than the US Lacrosse rules above, but all the primary rules of the game are the same.
Here's the quick run down of what to expect in the Finger Lakes Lacrosse League:
The first difference you will notice is the FLLL does not use the designations U9, U11, and U13. Instead we go by school grades, K-2, 3-4, and 5-6.
Grade levels K-2 and 3-4 play on a smaller field and play with 2 attackmen, 3 midfielders, 2 defense and a goalie. All players play with short sticks.
Grade level 5-6 play full field and play a full lacrosse team with 3 attack, 3 middies, and 3 defense plus a goalie. Defensemen use long sticks. Our team has long defensive stick available. You don't need to buy a long pole unless you want to.
All games are shorter than regulation and usually have a running clock.
One pass in the offensive end is required before shooting for grades K-2 and 3-4 age levels. There is no pass rule for 5-6.
No body contact initiated with the torso. Hip checks, boxing out, stick checks and legal holds are allowed.
No time limits on advancing the pass across the midfield or into the goal area.
At the two lower age groups penalties will be handled by removing the offending player for 1 minute and substituting another player. The foul will then be explained by a coach. At the grade level 5-6 the player goes to the penalty box and we play man-up or man-down.
