U9 PLAYING RULES

The Playing Surface

  1. Games are to be played wide length (cross floor) in one of the attacking zones. The end boards and the closest restraining line are to be the boundaries.  This allows two games to occur simultaneously.
  2. The neutral zone is where the players wait to enter the play.
  3. The crease is to be an arc that starts two feet from either side of the goal posts and extends as far back at the tail on the goal. The net tail must be 3 feet from the boards.
  4. Playing surfaces without floor markings can be used by using tape or chalk to mark the crease.

The Lacrosse Stick

  1. The player’s stick shall measure not more than 101.6 cm (40”), nor less than 66.04 cm (26”) in overall length.

The Ball

  1. The balls used in all matched shall be regulation hard lacrosse balls that conform to Lacrosse Canada standards and approved for use by LC.

The Goals

  1. Each goal shall consist of two upright poles, 91.44cm (3’) apart, joined by a rigid crossbar 91.44cm (3’) from the playing surface. All measurements are to be the inside distances.

Player’s Equipment

  1. All players must wear at all times the following pieces of equipment: helmet, mask, shoulder and arm pads, elbow pads, mouth guards, gloves and a jock/jill strap.
  2. The following pieces of equipment are optional: back/kidney pads and knee pads.

The Teams

  1. Each teams shall be composed of three players, one designated goaltender and up to six substitute players (ie. a maximum of ten).
  2. One coach from each team may be on the floor to instruct players.
  3. No other people may be on the floor other than the players, referees, and the coach listed on the game sheets.

The Game

  1. Each session shall consist of 3 periods, each 15 minutes in length.
  2. There is no 30 second clock.

Appointment of Officials

  1. The appropriate governing body or their delegate may appoint one or two Referees for the games.
  2. If there are no Referees appointed to for the game, then the coaches on the floor also referee the game.

Score Sheet

  1. A score sheet must be completed prior to each game.
  2. No score is displayed on the scoreboard.

Contact

  1. Defensive players may occupy a space to prevent am offensive player from entering. The defensive player may place their stick on an opponent, but they are not to push or check with the stick.
  2. Any offensive player (including the ball carrier) who deliberately charged directly at a defensive player may be assessed a charging penalty.
  3. There is no body checking.
  4. A defensive player may check an offensive player by placing their stick head on an opposing player’s stick head.

The Fall back Rule

  1. The fall back rule applies to possession gained by the goaltender. All defensive players must enter their own zone.  Once all the defensive players are in their own zone, they are free to go whether they want.  The goalkeeper must pass the ball to one of the offensive players who must be at least 9 feet from the crease.

Face-Offs, Possessions, and Awarding Possession

  1. Play to start with a face-off at the start of a period.
  2. After a shift, play starts with the team that had possession at the end of the last shift.
  3. After each goal and the end of the shift, the opposing team is to fall back to their own zone.

Penalties

  1. No penalties are to be assessed. Instead play is stopped and the offending player has the infraction explained to him by either the Referee or their own coach.  If the offending plater’s team had possession of the ball, it is awarded to the opposing team.  In more serious cases, the coach may replace the offending player with another player.