Posted by: Gordon
If you run lacrosse league you need to cover all of the rules that will apply to every division. Atlanta Youth Lacrosse uses the USL Boys Lacrosse Rules, which are slightly modified from NFHS rules, as our foundation governing play at all levels. The general AYL rules may be found on the “Complete League Rules” page.
Next, you need to specify the rules in each division. We find it ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
This week is Rules/Officiating week. Two quick things before we dive in: The last post of the week will detail an officiating camp open to all 5th-12th grade AYL players, and any parents who are interested in officiating. Second, I will be detailing youth rules that may not be implemented in your local league. I highly encourage fellow youth lacrosse leagues to consider implementing one or two of the rules I will discuss that drastically improve player skills and are ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
Officials are not supposed to miss a penalty. They are also never supposed to make mistakes either. Not only are they not supposed to make mistakes, they are expected to be perfect throughout the entire game. Fans scream at coaches who sub out their favorite player. They laugh derisively when an opponent misses an easy ground ball. However, they save their scorn for the official. A person who is subject to the same amount of human error as any other ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
Calling personal fouls is entirely about judgement. No where is this more visibly evident than a call or no-call on a perceived slash. The exact wording of the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rulebook states that a slash is “swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.” That wording has two clear specifications for a slash:
According to ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
One of the most common questions I get asked on the sidelines is: “What is the crease?” We could spend a full week going over every intricacy of crease play, but for now let’s focus on the basics.
The crease is an eighteen foot diameter circle, nine foot radius, extending around the lacrosse goal that protects the goalkeeper from the opposing team. As long as the goalie is inside the crease he enjoys these privileges:
Rule 4, Section 19: Goal-Crease Privileges (
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
Arguing with game officials is as American as apple pie. In the 1950′s “Kill the Umpire” was released. This comedy follows ex ball player Bill Johnson who, after losing various jobs in favor of watching baseball games, decides to become an umpire. A person he considers the “lowest of the low” (www.imbd.com). In multiple scenes, brawls break out on field because of his unpopular calls. It takes the blessing of a respected ...
Continue Reading →Posted by: Gordon
Rule 3, Section 3 – Final Two Minutes of Play
This Spring, we are fortunate in having a number of close, competitive games. Many of these games are ending with a two or one goal advantage for the other ...
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Rule 4, Section 8 – “A goal is scored when a loose ball passes from the front, completely through the imaginary plane formed by the rear edges of the goal line, the goal posts and the crossbar of the goal, regardless of who supplied the impetus” (NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rulebook 2011).
This rule causes some consternation. Every so often, a ball will bounce off some player’s leg and roll towards the goal. It keeps rolling and comes to ...
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