YLS FALL CHUMASH LACROSSE RULES
GAME OVERVIEW
Two teams of three players each play the game. Each team may have up to 5 total players, with 2 players as substitutes.
Players are not allowed to use long or goalie sticks. Short sticks must be legal length (40-42”, 37” minimum for players 6 grade
and under). Heads must be NFHS legal.
A single goal will be set up in the middle of the field. The objective is for each team to score on its respective side of the goal.
Goals are unprotected, with no goalie, keeping the speed and intensity of the game very high.
THE GOAL
The single, two-sided goal in the middle of the field is 6 feet high by 1 foot wide. A goal is scored when the ball
hits the net or when the ball hits two posts before bouncing away from the goal. Goals may be scored only by
the team on offense.
TIME
A 3v3 game is 15-18 minutes running time. There are no time outs.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions can be made anytime during the course of the game, but cannot be made at the location of the
ball. The outgoing and incoming players must touch sticks away from the ball while at least one of the players
is off the field; outgoing player must immediately exit playing area. Substitutions can happen anywhere
around the perimeter of the field, provided that they do not interfere with games at adjacent fields.
Substitution violations will result in a Technical foul.
EQUIPMENT: FULL REGULATION EQUIPMENT IS REQUIRED
Boys: Regulation lacrosse helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves, stick, mouth guard, cup
THE FIELD
The YLS Chumash Lacrosse field is 50 yards long by 25
yards wide, with the single goal anchored in the middle of
the field. There are TAKE BACK lines that are 20 yards from
the goal line in each direction and extend the width of the
field. There is a CREASE in the center of the field.
GETTING STARTED
Each goal has 2 sides each with their own color—white and
a dark color. The designated away team (dark jerseys) will
shoot on the dark side of the goal, and the home team (white
jerseys) will shoot on the white side of the goal. A face off
will start each half. For the face off, the ball is placed
approximately half way between the goal and the sideline. Face-off players’ sticks run parallel to the length of the field, the
butt end of the stick pointing to that player’s TAKE BACK line. One wing player for each team must be behind the Take Back
line on each end. The official starts the face off as in a 10v10 game. The possessing team must take the ball back behind their
TAKE BACK line before ever scoring.
PLAYING THE GAME
Each team can use the entire field (see “STALLING” below) and there are no offsides. However, a goal can only be scored from
a team’s designated side of the field. A shot by a team on their opponent’s side of the goal will not score a goal and play will
continue per these rules.
When there is a clear change of possession, the team with the ball must pass or carry the ball behind the TAKE BACK line on
their side of the field before they can begin attacking the goal. If a team fails to pass or carry the ball beyond the TAKE BACK
line before shooting, the ball will be awarded to the other team immediately, and there will be no goal allowed. The TAKE
BACK line does not establish a “safe” zone.
After a goal, the ball goes to the team that did not score, and must be carried back behind that team’s TAKE BACK line. Play
resumes when the ball reaches the TAKE BACK line.
If the ball goes out of bounds, from either a shot or pass, the ball is awarded to the opposing team of the player who last
touched the ball (like basketball).
Lines are “hot”. Side lines are out of bounds. Crease lines are a part of the crease.
THE CREASE
There are is a regular lacrosse goal crease with a nine-foot radius. The goal is centered inside this circle. There is no goalie and
it is illegal to "guard" the goal as a defender while standing in the crease. A shot blocked by a defender violating the inner
crease will be scored as a goal for the offensive team (Goaltending).
When the ball is on the ground in the CREASE AREA, players from both teams are allowed to be in this area to gain possession
of the ball. When there is a clear change of possession the team with the ball must pass or carry it back to the TAKE BACK line
in front of their goal, much like 3 on 3 basketball. If a team fails to do this the ball is awarded to the other team. Players from
the team that does not have possession of the ball (“defensive players”) are allowed to be in the CREASE AREA but only if they
are continually moving through it. A defensive player cannot take a position to defend the goal while in the CREASE AREAS. A
CREASE AREA violation by a defensive player will result in a Technical Foul.
Players from the team in possession of the ball (“offensive players”) may not stop in or shoot from inside the CREASE AREA
Per the above, any player may enter the crease area when the ball is on the ground and the players are attempting to gain
control. A CREASE AREA violation by an offensive player (e.g., stopping in or shooting from outer crease, stepping in inner
crease) will result in a change of possession.
STALLING
At all times during the game, the team with the lead must promptly clear the ball to its own TAKE BACK line. In the last 2
minutes of the game, the team with the lead and in possession is also required to keep the ball between their TAKE BACK line
and the Goal line extended. Stalling violations are loss-of-possession fouls.
OTHER GAME PROCEDURES
There are no rules governing time for ball advancement other than the stalling rule, above.
The integrity with which you play brings honor to the game.
LOSS-OF-POSSESSION FOULS
A change of possession will occur on illegal screens, warding off, withholding the ball, stalling, and offensive CREASE AREA
violations.
TECHNICAL FOULS
Technical fouls are interference, holding, pushing, and defensive CREASE AREA violations. A technical foul will result in a FREE
PENALTY SHOT from the TAKE BACK LINE. The offending player will be substituted on the sideline.
PERSONAL FOULS
Personal fouls are illegal body checking, slashing, tripping, and cross-checking, based on age-division appropriate
interpretations. One-hand checks are personal fouls in all youth divisions. A personal foul will result in a “man down” situation
and the offending player will go to the sidelines and remain there until one of the following events have occurred:
a) The opposing team has taken two shots.
b) The offending player’s team gains possession of the ball.
c) The opposing team scores a goal.
Play continues while the offending player is leaving the field.
EQUIPMENT PENALTIES
Mouthguards and Legal Equipment are required. A player entering or playing on the field without a proper mouthguard in his
mouth or in use of an illegal stick, gloves, or pads will be assessed a Technical Foul. The offending equipment will be
maintained under the control of the field official and will not allowed back on the field for the duration of the game, even if
repairs are made to correct the offense.
Unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will result in the offending player serving two consecutive personal fouls.
PLAYER SUSPENSIONS, EJECTIONS
Any player receiving 3 personal fouls or 2 unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in one game will be suspended for the rest of
that game and for the game immediately following. Players suspended from two games will be ejected from the tournament.
CHUMASH TOURNAMENT RULES
 All pool games on all fields will start and end at the same time,
 Tie games are allowed in pool play
 Playoff games must have a winner
o Successive 3 minute sudden-death periods until there is a winner
o 30 second break between OT periods.
o Face-off determines first possession



Coaches
o Chumash is designed to be player-run, and as such, there will be no coaches allowed on the players sideline
during the play of the game.
o Adult coaches may meet with teams at halftime and between games, but must be completely clear of the field
and sideline at the start of the period.
o A single coaching violation will result in a technical foul and a warning to the coach. A second coaching
violation will result in a forfeit of the game with a 1-0 score recorded against the offending team.
o Exception: A single adult is allowed on the players’ sideline for Lightning (3/4), with the duties restricted to
managing substitutions. No in-game coaching.
o In case of an injury where the player cannot return to the sideline on his/her own power, the field official will
ask for no more than two coaches/parents to come assist the injured player.
o Other than what is specifically spelled out here, coaches are spectators and will adhere to the LIMIT LINE
rules outlined above.
Captains
o At the beginning of each game, the team captain will report to the field official
o Only captains may talk to field officials while the game is in process.
o [Girls] The captain of the away team (will be designated each game) calls the coin flip.
Team composition
o Grade levels are from the current school year
o Players may choose to play up. Playing up is discouraged at all levels.
o Players may not play down. Honor the Game. Violations will result in 1-0 forfeits of all games for the
offending team.
o Teams must have at least 3 players and may have no more than 6 players. No exceptions. There will be no
changing of personnel on any team once the team has checked in for registration. No exceptions – even
injuries, emergencies, etc.
POOL PLAY and PLAYOFF SEEDING
 All divisions will be organized into one large or an even number of pools of teams.
 Each team will play up to three games in pool.
 Playoff seeding follows this formula, taken in order
o Overall best win/loss percentage in pool play
o Head-to-head
o Fewest average goals allowed per game.
o Still tied? Coin flip seeds playoff position
 Playoffs are single-elimination
o Overtime periods are 3-minute sudden victory. Face-offs start each period.