Rules and Interpretations

SECTION VII

Playing rules will be National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) rules with the following exceptions:

1) Only shoes with pliable, molded, non-detachable cleats will be allowed.   An illegal shoe, defined by the Referee Association, is a shoe with cleats that can produce a cutting edge. Hard plastic cleats are not permitted.

2) Field & Equipment (Rule 2, Section 2 NFHS Rules)
a.     Arm pads are required at all divisions for each player and are optional for the goalie.
b.     Senior NFHS Rules Apply - Crosse Dimensions The Crosse shall be an overall fixed length of either 40 to 42 inches (Short crosse) or 52 to 72 inches (Long crosse), except for the goalkeeper's crosse, which may be a length of 72 inches or less.
c.     No long crosses are allowed in Junior and Lighting Division.

3) Responsibilities of the home team (Rule 2, Section 3 NFHS Rules)
a.     Game balls and adequate number of balls must be maintained at the end lines
b.     Ball. Boys (may be waived with consent of the coaches)
c.     Home teams are responsible for contrasting jersey colors and will wear pennies if needed.

3) Time Factors and Scoring (Rule 3, NFHS Rules)
a.       Four quarters, 10 minute stop clock, and sudden victory 4-minute overtime periods will be utilized.
b.       Overtime - in the event of a tie, two (2) four (4) minute (sudden victory) overtime periods will be played. If, after two (2) overtime periods the score is tie, additional sudden victory overtime periods may be played until a winner is determined; provided time permits and coaches and officials are in agreement.
c.        Timeouts- two (2) timeouts are permitted per half, one (1) timeout for overtime.

4) Play of the Game   (Rule 4, NFHS Rules) The game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of stick, team, and sportsmanship skills:
a.       No 20-second count
b.       Body checking is permitted, however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. Definition - Take-out checks: Checks in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to take out (*put on the ground) the other player. Players may make contact in an upright position within five yards of the ball.
c.        In any game and at any point during a game when there is a four-point 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.
d.       If any player in a single game receives more than 4 personal fouls of any type (see section VII.5 on Personal Fouls), he/she will be ejected from the game/play.

5) Conduct/Personal Fouls (Rule 5, NFHS Rules)
a.     In addition to the BYLW rule of 4 personal fouls, any player or coach who uses derogatory language or taunts on/from the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach, or referee will receive: First Offense: 1 minute non-releasable penalty. Second Offense: 3 minute non-releasable penalty. Third Offense: ejection/ expulsion from the game. Physical or verbal altercations before, during or after a game by players, coaches, officials or spectators will result in the ejection of that player, parent, coach, or spectator from the field location by the Field Manager (see Section X.3). Ejection of players, coaches, or spectators by officials for any reason will result in the automatic suspension from participating in all BYLW functions, including all practices, for a period to include the next scheduled game. The BYLW Board of Directors will review the incident with the players, parents, coaches, or spectators during the suspension period. At that time a silent vote will be taken to allow or disallow the individual to continue participation in league activities. The BYLW Board of Directors can take action up to and including banning the individual from BYLW. If the individual is allowed to continue participation and is involved in a second offense; it will result in the automatic suspension from league play or participation for the remainder of the current year. Any ballplayer ejected from a game will not be eligible to play the next scheduled game and the league will be notified of these actions.

6) Technical Fouls (Rule 6 NFHS Rules)
a.     Offensive stalling shall be enforced. The winning team is to keep the ball in the box during the last two minutes of the game

7) Points of emphasis from BYLW: These rules can not be waived by coaches or referees at any time.
         7 / 8 League, Senior Division
·         No one-handed checks (1 minute slashing).
·         Stick check only to gloved hand on stick (1 minute slashing).
·         No "take out" body checks (i.e. players may be knocked down but with no intent to put down; rather dislodge the ball (1 minute illegal body check)
·         At any point when 4 goal differential, down coach has option to take ball in lieu of face-off.
·         Clock may be run by mutual consent of coaches.
·         Tank jerseys allowed; jerseys must have numbers on back or front.
·         4 second count on goalie only; no offensive stalling rule except last 2 minutes (this includes the 10 and 20 second advancement rule).
·          No 20 second count.
·         4 quarters 10 minute stop time.

    5 / 6 League, Junior Division
.         No one-handed checks (1 minute slashing).
·         Stick check only to gloved hand on (1 minute slashing).
·         1 step body check- No take out (1minute illegal body check).
·         At any point when 4 goal differential, down coach has option to take ball in lieu of face-off.
·         Clock may be run by mutual consent of coaches.
·         Tank jerseys allowed; jerseys must have numbers on back or front.
·         4 second count on goalie only; no offensive stalling rule for Juniors
·         Coaches may stop play with possession in the open to instruct his own players on a point of rule (not coach strategy).
·         4 quarters 10 minute stop time.

     3 / 4 League, Lightning Division

·         Each team can have a maximum of two coaches on the playing field for instructional and safety purposes only. Each coach shall maintain a presence on either the offensive or defensive side of play.
·         "D" sticks or long poles are not allowed. The maximum stick length shall be 42"
·         Each team will field 10 players: 3 attackmen, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders and a goalie.
·         Game time shall be four - 12 minutes running clock quarter with a ten-minute half time.
·         Each team is allowed one (1) - 2 minute time-out during each half in which the clock will be stopped.
·         The "two man on ball" rule shall apply. This rule states that during a ground ball situation, only two players from each team can be vying for the ball. The rest of the players must keep a 5-yard distance. *Give the kids a chance to recognize the situation and then try to implement the rule before making the call.
·         Home team shall supply one qualified referee. The visiting team has the option of supplying a second referee. The team that arranged their presence, if provided, shall supply payment for referees.
·         During Round Robin situations, each game shall be 2 - 12 minute running time halves with a 5-minute half time. No time-outs shall be allowed.
·         The game score will not be posted on Sportabilty.

8) Game spectators

Parents and spectators are to be situated on the opposite side of the field from the players box (were applicable).

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