Men's League Rules and Guidelines – 2022
*Updated: June 13, 2022*
Number of Players: No less than 15 players on a roster to have a team. Recommended number is no less than 20 due to summer vacations and other travels.
Player Eligibility: Players MUST be at least 17 years of age and NO LONGER ATTENDING HIGH SCHOOL. Players currently enrolled or intending to enroll in any further High School education beyond spring 2022 are ineligible for Men's League. Any violation of this rule will result in sanctioning from both Men's League and Utah High School lacrosse participation. University or college enrollments have no bearing on Men's League eligibility.
Players must hold a current USA Lacrosse membership that expires after the end of the season. These memberships will be verified before the beginning of the season.
Guest players are allowed, but must have current and valid USL membership (no exceptions). Both the other team and the scores table must be notified of any “guest players” prior to the start of each game. The table will document any guest players in the scorebook.
In the event that a player is injured, or otherwise unable to play for the remainder of the season, their roster position may be filled by another player. This process will only be considered official through the following procedure:
· The Inactive Player submits written consent to the league commissioner for their registration to be replaced by a new player.
· The Team Captain submits written consent that a specific new player be added to the team.
· The New Player submits all of their contact information, including a current US Lacrosse Membership, to IMLAX BEFORE participating in the league.
By violation of this procedure, any participating player not originally registered with a team will be considered ineligible. Team's playing with ineligible players are disqualified from post season play.
League Rules: Teams that forfeit more than 3 regular season games DO NOT QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS. Verbal assault and/or fighting between players and/or refs is not tolerated. Inappropriate behavior means immediate dismissal from the league at the league’s discretion.
Field: *new 2022* All 2022 Summer League games will be played on the PLL field size/dimensions including 15 yard 2-point arc. Field is 100 Yards by 60 yards
Equipment: Reasonable helmet and gloves are required. Shoulder pads, elbow pads, and mouth guards are not required though they are highly recommended. There are no stick rules for the most part as long as a stick isn’t “obscene” as determined by the commissioner or referees. There is no regulation on pocket depth however sticks must be at least 37” or longer.
Team Captain Responsibilities: . Team captains are responsible for informing teams of game times, schedule changes, and league updates. They are responsible to fill the team roster, including each position necessary. It is with the team captain that the commissioner will communicate any problems or concerns that need to be taken care of. Also, the team captain is responsible to ensure that only players on the team roster are playing, and that each player on the roster is eligible according to the league guidelines.
Team Responsibilities: Each team is responsible for facilitating field setup and takedown – goal, cones, table equipment, trash, etc. Everyone is responsible for picking up trash! Please keep the facilities clean – “Leave them better than you found them”
Spectators: Spectators are held to the same conduct rules and standards as players. Harassment of referees is not tolerated! Being on the premises is a privilege enforced by both referees and the league commissioner. Any rude or abusive behavior results in a dismissal from the field. Spectators are encouraged to sit on the sideline opposite of the player area.
Time Factors and Scoring:
· Four Quarters, 12 – minute running clock *no stop time – except for last 3 minutes during playoffs only*
· Each team receives one, 1 minute time-out per half that can be called from ANYWHERE ON THE FIELD
· The clock only stops for team and referee time outs (penalty time stops during these as well).
· If time/weather/light permits, Sudden Victory OT will be played. 4 minutes for the first OT period (teams defend the same goal as in the 4th quarter). If a 2nd OT is necessary, teams will switch goals and will play until someone scores, no time limit on 2nd OT period length. THERE ARE NO TIME OUTS IN ANY OT PERIODS.
· Implement quick restarts
· *stopped clock time will go into affect during last 3 minutes of the game during PLAYOFF GAMES ONLY*
Rules and Referee Style:
· Games will be officiated per current NCAA Rules – with the following exceptions:
o NO DIVING – same rules apply as HS or pre 2019 NCAA rules (safety)
o NO SHOT CLOCK – as result there is simply 20 second clearing count to cross midfield. No box touch required
o Officials are instructed to be quick to enforce stall warnings. These will be officiated as a 30 second shot clock like previous NCAA rules prior to 80 second shot clock, and not “Keep it in”. You may play outside of the offensive box. Increased emphasis in final 2 minutes.
· There will be an emphasis on illegal body checks, ESPECIALLY hits to the head. Hits to the head will draw no less than a 1 minute NON-RELEASABLE penalty.
· There is a 4 second count for the goalie (once he has possession).
· NO KEEP IT IN UNDER TWO MINUTES
· Penalties and play-ons are enforced the same way as in NCAA.
o Over and Back – must be immediate possession or ball will be awarded to offended team at the midfield line were ball crossed over and play will resume on official’s whistle – emphasis on quick restart
o Flag Down – Penalized team must gain possession or stoppage of play (out of bounds, etc.)
§ Flag down is NOT high school rules – play will not stop if the ball only hits the ground.
· Face-offs – current NCAA rules: SNG ONLY, no knee down motto grip
· There is no substitution requirement for face-off violations, nor 3 violations per half resulting in penalty .
· Teams are allowed to have a maximum of 5 long poles on the field (unlike HS and College where the limit is 4). If a team has 6 long poles on the field they are guilty of 'Illegal Procedure'.
· Penalties are running time. Personal fouls are 1:30 minute and technical fouls are 45 seconds.
· There is no stop-time during the last 2 minutes of the game. NO "KEEP IT IN" - NCAA rules. Officials may place stall warning at any time during the game. Increased emphasis in the final two minutes.
· Teams must have at least 8 players (including a goalie) to start the game. Teams without at least 8 players on the field at the start of the game forfeit.Any team that does not have a goalie at the start of a game forfeits. In the event that the team's goalie will not be able to participate, a goalie from a different team may legally take their place. Games forfeited from lack of players can still be played if both team’s desire, but the outcome will have no bearing on standings.
· If a team wishes to protest a game for any reason it must be done prior to the begining of the game. If a player not on the roster waits until during the game to play you may protest as soon as he steps on the field. An official roster (with emergency contact info) will be kept at the table during all games.
· All referees are trained USA Lacrosse Referees and will call all rules and penalties as sanctioned by USA Lacrosse. Referees interested in officiating men's league must contact Grant Nielson.
· If a player is ejected by the officials for any reason, at a minimum, they are suspended from their team's next game.
· Harassment of Referees in any way is not tolerated! Being on the premises is a privilege as enforced by both referees and the league commissioner. Any rude or abusive behavior results in a dismissal from the field and possible further league disciplinary actions.
Hitting and Contact: This is a full contact league. Un-necessary or un-sportsmanlike hitting or conduct will be penalized at the referee’s discretion.
Fighting: The NCAA rule book defines fighting as:
"A player, substitute, nonplaying member of a squad, coach or anyone officially connected with a team deliberately striking or attempting to strike anyone in a malicious manner, or leaving the bench or coaches area during an altercation."
For the purposes of Men's League, this definition applies to timing before, during, and after league activities.
Any behavior falling within these guidelines, whether in the form of instigation or retaliation, results in immediate ejection from the game, and expulsion from the league for the remainder of the season. No second chances are given for fighting or leaving the bench in the event of an altercation. A non-ejected player from the offending team(s) serves a 3 minute non-releasable penalty (adjusted to 4:30 minutes running time penalty) for any violation of this rule.
