Welcome to DS Girls Lacrosse!
If you’ve never watched a girls’ youth lacrosse game, we thought we’d offer some help...
Pre-game
Please sit on other side of field from bench; otherwise it’s too distracting for players.
Make sure girls have goggles, mouth-guards and no jewelry. Newly pierced ears cannot be covered with band-aids; umpires will insist they come out.
The game
Grade 3/4 plays 10v10 on the field – 3 Attack (left, center, right), 3Midfield (left, center, right), 3Defense (left, center, right) and a Goalie. Left/Right as you face the goal you are attacking. Note that we encourage everyone to try goalie, even if they think they’ll be bad!
Game time = two 20-minute halves, running clock (does not stop for goals)
A “draw” starts each half and starts play after each goal (if 4 goal differential, trailing team can receive free position at midfield if they choose). If you’ve played boys lax or hockey, please don’t call the draw a “face off.”
Just like soccer or basketball, if ball goes out of bounds, the other team gets possession… unless it was a shot. On a shot, if ball goes out, player closest to ball gets possession.
Our league has a 3-pass rule. No player may shoot on goal until her team has attempted or completed three passes. Umpires use their judgment in determining what is a legitimate pass; they (not coaches or parents) are responsible for audibly counting pass completions. Please don’t yell, "shoot!” or "go to goal!"
Players must freeze on whistle.
Substitutions are done on the fly, not on a whistle. (opposite of soccer)
There will be a lot of whistles. The Umpires are all about safety and teaching the girls good habits. Fouls are explained below.
Sportsmanship
Be a good influence on the sideline: give encouragement, be positive, remember it’s about fun, reinforce positive behavior, don't be a sideline coach or umpire.
Our league does not keep track of wins/losses or standings. Home team keeps score for the umpire (in case of 4 goal differential) but scores are not posted or announced -- either during or after the game. Parents are discouraged from keeping score. However, the girls usually know if they win or lose and should learn to do both with respect.
Teams will adjust their play if the game is lopsided (e.g. more passes before shooting)
Fouls Major Fouls are anything considered dangerous. Examples:
* Slash (reckless/dangerous swing whether or not contact is made) * Mandatory card
Obstruction of free space to the goal aka “shooting space.” (You will see this a lot.) In other words, defender cannot be a “second goalie.” If this is called while a goal is being scored, the goal is called back and the ball is given to the shooter at the 8M arc. There is no “held whistle” to see if a goal is scored; it would only encourage girls to shoot straight through the defender.
3-second rule (like basketball, in 8M Arc, defender must be within 1 stick length to attacker)
Dangerous shot (to goalie’s head)
Checking in Grade 3/4
Offensive foul: charge, backing into goal, illegal pick, pushing off
Cards
Yellow card = out for 2 minutes; team plays man down.
Red card = player is out for game.
Minor Fouls are anything not dangerous/not going to hurt anyone. Examples:
Cover (cover a ground ball with foot or stick, rake the ball into the stick)
Illegal ball off body (kicking it, hitting it, etc.)
Empty crosse check (often happens during battles for ground balls)
Goal-circle foul (stick or body cannot cross goal circle line)
If you have any questions, please ask your coach. Everyone is still learning! Have a great season!
