GIRLS’ ANNUAL RULES UPDATE – 2015
The 2014 US Lacrosse Women’s Rule Book and US Lacrosse Youth Girls’ rules shall govern
NVYLL girls’ youth play, except as amended below.
OVERARCHING PRINCIPLE
The game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of individual stick skills,
team play, player safety, and sportsmanship.
Girls’ Age, Grade, and Eligibility Guidelines. NVYLL believes that a grade-based system
provides playing opportunities that promote the game of lacrosse in a safe and sportsmanlike
environment. Players may not play below their designated grade brackets.
League and Association Play. NVYLL will organize girls competition by grade, and consider
physical, cognitive, and emotional maturity when grouping players. Players who are
participating in any high-school level program such as a high school freshman, JV-B, junior
varsity, or varsity should not be eligible for G78 competition in the same season. The following
grade groupings are determined as follows:
Grade Grade Bracket
High School GHS
7th and 8th (*) G78
5th and 6th G56
3rd and 4th G34
Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd GK2
* 9th grade girls that are still 14 on December 31 preceding competition may play for the G78
grade bracket, as long as they are not playing on a high school team.
NVYLL General Modifications
Fields - All fields are assumed to be legal for NVYLL games. There shall be no penalties
assessed for illegal field specifications.
Participation - Each player shall participate in every game a minimum of 25% of the game. This
policy shall not be cause for game protests. However, coaches found guilty by the
Executive Committee for not complying with this policy will be brought before the full
Board of Commissioners for possible disciplinary action under Rule 1.9.
Player Equipment - Players are to conform to US Lacrosse Youth Rules equipment
requirements including USL-approved goggles.
Sportsmanship and Conduct - Sportsmanship is paramount during all NVYLL play. Code of
Conduct shall be adhered to and enforced fully by the game officials and Field Commissioner.
Game and field conduct is the responsibility of the Home team, Game officials and Field
Commissioner.
Pre-Game and Game Modifications
• Any team behind by five (5) goals or more for G34, G56, and G78 shall get the ball at
the center of the field after the scoring of a goal instead of a draw, but may not shoot
unless another player has played the ball. There will be a draw at the start of each half,
regardless of score. The team with fewer goals may choose to start with a draw.
• Half-time shall be 5 minutes.
• GK2 shall play four 10-minute quarters. There shall be two-minute intervals between
the first and second quarters and between the third and fourth quarters of the game. The
intermission between second and third periods shall be 5 minutes.
• If a game is interrupted or suspended due to dangerous weather or field conditions, the
game is considered legal and complete if 50% of playing time has elapsed.
GHS
All rules are the same as those used in the US Lacrosse Women’s Rule Book with the following
exceptions.
1. US Lacrosse Rules will be followed unless modified below or previously in these NVYLL
Rules.
2. All GHS games will be officiated by High School rated officials
3. All participants will be members of US Lacrosse.
G78 Full-Check
All rules are the same as those used in the US Lacrosse Women’s Rule Book with the following
exceptions.
1. US Lacrosse Rules will be followed unless modified below or previously in these NVYLL
Rules.
2. No games or practices may be held with High School teams.
3. Though suggested, players need not be members of US Lacrosse, unless required by their
Club.
G78 Modified-Check
All rules are the same as those used for G78 Full-Check with the following exceptions.
1. Any team behind by five (5) goals or more shall get the ball at the center of the field after
the scoring of a goal instead of a draw. There will be a draw at the start of each half,
regardless of score.
2. One Pass Rule: After each new draw possession, at least one pass must be attempted to a
player in the offensive end (past midfield) of the field before her team may shoot. Failure to
do so will result in a major foul. After each change of possession in the defensive end of the
field, at least one pass must be attempted to a player in the offensive end of the field before
her team may shoot. Failure to do so will result in a major foul. NOTE: For each instance
where the one pass has been completed, umpires will not (as coaches should not) direct the
player to “shoot", additional passes might be the right thing to do. The intent of this rule is
not to have teams make the required pass and then, regardless of where the ball is, compel
the player to run to the goal and shoot or shoot on command without regard for placement of
other players. The umpire will have final authority on judging this call.
a. Approved Ruling 1-1: Blue GK clears to her teammate who receives the pass just
below the restraining line in their defensive end; she carries the ball down field and
attempts a shot on goal. RULE: Illegal. Major foul for the shot on goal when no pass
was attempted in Blue's offensive end. Free position to the Goalkeeper inside the
goal circle, shooter is placed 4M behind the goal circle.
b. Approved Ruling 1-2: After a legal draw by the Blue and Red centers, the ball goes
directly to a Blue teammate standing on the center circle, she runs straight to goal,
shoots and scores. RULE: Illegal. No Goal. Major foul, no pass was attempted after
initial possession from the draw. Free position to the Goalkeeper inside the goal
circle, shooter is placed 4M behind the goal circle.
c. Approved Ruling 1-3: The goalkeeper clear shall not count toward the one pass
requirement. Whether or not the clear is made from inside or outside the goal circle,
an additional pass must be made in the offensive end before a team may shoot. A
goalkeeper who walks out of the goal circle and up field to clear the ball is still
considered a clear; an additional pass must be made following the GK clear.
G56
All rules are the same as those used in G78 Modified Check Division.
G34
All rules are the same as those used in G56 Division, with the following exceptions.
1. No checking.
2. A modified pocket is allowed and the stick may be cut to fit comfortably along the arm.
3. No overtime during regular season. Games may end in a tie.
GK2
All rules are the same as those used in the G34 Division and US Lacrosse rulebook for
modified field play.
1. Four 10 minute quarters with 2 minutes between quarters and 5 minutes between halves
with a running clock.
2. Each head coach will have the option of playing with a goalkeeper or playing with a
modified goal (i.e. inverting the goal) with the triangular base (tepee) serving as the goal
mouth. No Shooting nets will be allowed. Coaches are encouraged to play with a goalie and
rotate goalies at half time with each player on the team playing at least one half in goal
during the season. Any player judged to be afraid to play goalie by a referee will be
removed from the field of play and the goal will be inverted. If a team elects to invert the
goal, they will not be allowed another player on the field.
3. No scores are reported. No standings are kept. No playoffs will be held. This is a noncompetitive
division devoted to player development.
Weather delay. 50% of regulation time must have expired to be considered a complete
game. In the event of lightning all players shall leave the field and seek shelter in
enclosed motor vehicles or buildings for 30 minutes following the last sighting.
