• U15 Under 15 at December 31^st prior to season, and not in 9^th grade

• U13 Under 13 at December 31^st prior to season, and not in 7^th grade

• U11 Under 11 at December 31^st prior to season, and not in 5^th grade

• Exceptions only with NVTYLL Board approval. Procedure will be majority Board vote by email.

• Intentional illegal player violations by coach results in a 2 year suspension from NVTYLL sponsored play. Determination will be made subject to a Board hearing by majority Board vote.

• Players illegally playing down to any division will be ejected for the season and the team will be eliminated from any playoffs and ineligible for any titles or awards.

Game Format

U15 and U13 – 2 game jamborees

• 4 quarters

• 8 minute stop time

• 3 minutes between quarters

• 6 minute half

• 2, 2-minute time-outs per half for each team

• 1, 4 minute sudden victory overtime

For single games, 10 minute stop time quarters if coaches agree.

U11 – 2 game jamborees

• 4 quarters

• 10 minute running time

• 3 minutes between quarters

• 6 minute half

• 2, 2-minute time-outs per half for each team

• No overtime

For single games, 12 minute running time quarters if coaches agree.

Timing – 20/10 Second Count

No 20 or 10 second count for U15, U13, and U11

Stalling

Stalling shall be enforced for U15 and U13 throughout the game and the team with the lead must keep the ball in goal area during the last two minutes of the game. No stalling rule for U11.

Penalties

Time serving penalties are enforced and man up situations are permitted for U15, U13, and U11.

Body Checks

Body checking is permitted in U13 and U15 Divisions; however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. A take out check is defined as any check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

Players in the U13 and U15 divisions may make contact in an upright position within five yards of the ball. No body checking of any kind (including man/ball "clear the body" type pushing) is permitted in U11. If a loose ball is not moving in U11, the referee may re-start play by awarding the ball to the team that is in their defensive zone.

One-Handed Stick Checks

One handed checks shall be allowed for U15, U13, and U11. However, if the one handed check is initiated with the stick hand above the shoulder and executed in a downward motion (a chop) or is used to intimidate another player, it will be ruled a slash.

Mercy Rule

U15, U13, and U11. In any game and at any point during a game when there is a four-goal lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the four-point lead is maintained, unless waived by the coach of the trailing team.

For the U15, U13 levels:

• Official will make 1 stick check per team per half (player and time randomly selected by the official), ideally during a stoppage in play so as to not slow game. Coaches can request that the official check one (1) specific, opposing player’s stick per game.

• Official to check pocket depth and release of ball top and bottom only.

• No stick dimension measurements unless flagrant violation suspected in official’s judgment.

• Penalty for an illegal crosse is 1 minute non-releasable and the crosse removed from game until appropriate repairs are made to the crosse. Player is allowed to repair the crosse and reintroduce it into play at a normal stoppage of play with check by official.

Lightning Policy

NVTYLL has adopted the NFHS guidelines with regard to lightning:

1. A 30-second or less flash-to-bang count calls for immediate removal of the athletes from the field to an appropriate shelter.

2. Thirty minute rule. Once play has been suspended, wait at least thirty minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming play.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Personal fouls are to be taken seriously. In addition to the NFHS rules, any player or coach who uses derogatory or profane language (starting with "damn") on the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach or referee may receive: first offense, 1 to 3-minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty; second offense a 3-minute non-releasable expulsion foul.

Spectators and Teams on Opposite Sides of Field

Spectators and fans will be placed on the opposite side of the field from the table and bench areas. If the field is laid out in a manner that does not allow spectators and fans to be located on the far side of the field, the referee can waive this requirement. When stands or seating facilities are not provided on the opposite side of the field, spectators, fans, and parents will observe the 6-yard spectator limit line on the far side of the field.

Sideline Managers

Each youth lacrosse team will be asked to 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. These adults would be responsible for insuring that the spectators and fans support the athletes, coaches and officials in a positive manner and refrain from behavior not in conformity with the US Lacrosse Code of Conduct. The Sideline Managers will receive training prior to these contests by reviewing the document "Sideline Manager Job Description" provided by US Lacrosse and the US Lacrosse - Positive Coaching Alliance, available online at: http://www.uslacrosse.org/official/sportsmanshipcard.phtml, or by requesting a paper copy of this document through their local US Lacrosse Chapter. Sideline managers will introduce themselves to the officials prior to the coin toss, and follow those procedures outlined in the Sideline Manager Job Description, found at the referenced US Lacrosse website location. Sideline Managers will notify an unruly fan or spectator that unsportsmanlike behavior may lead to ejection and/or a game cancellation by the officials, under Game Termination - Guideline 4.

Auxiliary Officials

Each youth lacrosse team will be asked provide one adult who will be trained as an Auxiliary Youth Official. In the event that one or both of the scheduled officials does not appear to perform officiating duties, the Auxiliary Official(s) would be asked to referee the game. The Auxiliary Official could be an active parent attending his or her child's game or another adult affiliated with the organization or town hosting the event. The Auxiliary Official will have completed US Lacrosse Level 1 Officials Training for boys'/men's lacrosse and have active membership status in US Lacrosse as an official, but will not be assigned a schedule of league games.

Game Termination

Officials will have authority to terminate a NVTYLL game in response to flagrant acts of unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, athletes, spectators, or fans. A game termination will be the last resort in insuring the players' safety and preserving the integrity of the game. If possible, game officials will issue at least one strong warning that the game is in danger of being terminated. However, it is conceivable that games may be terminated on the first instance of a flagrant unsportsmanlike act. Every effort should be taken to avoid game termination, including the enforcement of existing rules for team-conduct penalties, unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, and ejection fouls. Mechanics for terminating a game for flagrant unsportsmanlike behavior can be found at the US Lacrosse webpage referenced above. All games terminated by a US Lacrosse Official, will result in a 1-0 victory for the team that is innocent of the terminal offense(s). If terminated under these conditions, the game will count in league statistics as a full game, and all goals, assists, saves, and other team statistics should count toward team and league records.