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Rules of the Game

Rules of Pop Lacrosse

Players

Eight in a squad, five on the pitch, (six if using a goalkeeper option at over 12) Teams can be mixed or single sex. For annual Under 11 Schools Pop-lacrosse National Championships, teams must be mixed four boys and four girls with two boys and two girls on the pitch at all times. Dispensation only for single sex schools.

Equipment

Goals: four foot by four foot square cage with net. For recreational play any small goal or target can be used.

Sticks: Plastic Pop-lacrosse sticks of any make with or without bar.

Balls: Pop-lacrosse plastic ball

Goalkeeper: Optional for Under 12s and above. Helmet compulsory with optional close fitting protection i.e. gloves, chest protector, arm pads, shin pads (not cricket pads)

Playing Area

  • A centre mark or line
  • Approximately four Badminton court size space, indoor or outdoor, hard surface or grass.
  • Two goal creases (circles) of 2 metre radius
  • A central goal line in each crease
  • A semi circular arc 5 metres to the front of the goal

Start of Play

The game is started with a pass from the centre and restarted in the same way after each goal is scored. The player with the ball must pass to another whilst keeping at least one foot on the centre mark or line. All other players to be 3 metres or more away. Centre passes alternate from team to team regardless of which team scores the goal.

   
Option for Under 12 and above, centre draw between two players each with a foot on the centre mark or line. Sticks held at waist height and back to back with the ball placed between the stick heads. On the whistle sticks are drawn upwards, ball must leave above head height of both players.

Boundaries

  • Indoors - Play rebound wherever possible.
  • Outdoors - no boundaries, the official decides and informs teams of limits of play.
  • Play to be as continuous as possible. When a ball goes out of bounds or becomes trapped the nearest player gets possession with all other players at least 1 metre away from the player in possession who should restart at least 1 metre inside the boundary.

Start/Stop Play

All play is started and stopped by the sound of a whistle.

The Throw

This is taken when a simultaneous foul occurs or players are equidistant from a boundary when the ball goes out of play. The two opponents are brought in 1 metre from the boundary, with their sides to their own goals and one metre apart facing the centre of the pitch. The official simultaneously blows whistle and throws the ball with a short underarm throw shoulder height between players, play continues with possession

Scoring

A goal is scored by shooting a ball so that it passes wholly over the goal line. Own' goals can be scored if the ball comes off a defenders stick or body. Goals may only be scored from the attacking half of the pitch. Dangerous shooting will be penalised. No player may enter the goal crease (except for the goalkeeper when using the goalkeeper option) but players may reach in with the stick to recover the ball.

Substitution

'On the fly ' providing that there are only five sticks for field players and these are to be exchanged as players change over, players must go on and off the pitch through a gate marked with two cones at the centre of one of the side lines.

   
Players not on the pitch shall be seated on the team bench and must not stand up to go onto the pitch until handed a stick.

Goalkeeper

The goalkeeper may use a stick or his body to stop the ball within the goal crease and a four second time limit applies to clear the ball. Standard rules apply outside the crease.

Fouls

  • No stick or body contact
  • No intentional ball off body
  • No dangerous propelling (passing through or shooting when 'blind')
  • No dangerous follow through with stick after shooting or passing.
  • No entry into goal crease (except for goalkeeper option)
  • No trapping or guarding of the ball (momentary rake of the ball is allowed)
  • Maximum of four second possession of the ball by a player which cannot be increased by throwing or rolling to oneself.
  • No defending goal by standing in the 5 metre space to goal except if a sticks length away from an opponent. 
    •    

Penalty for Foul

Free position to nearest opponent.

Offender is placed 3 metres behind player with possession and all others are a minimum of 3 metres away.
Fouls inside the 5 metre arc are taken on the arc.

Umpires Notes

The officials discretion may be used to award penalties for dangerous play or unacceptable behaviour.

A player may be sent off as a last resort. The rules are designed to protect the players and to keep the play as continuous as possible. Unintentional fouls which do not give the offender or his/her team an unfair advantage should result in a 'held' whistle wherever possible.

Officials should ensure;

 - a short, sharp whistle for start and end of game, a longer whistle indicates a goal.

 - a clear, short explanation of any foul committed, indicating with the arm the team in possession by pointing towards the goal they are attacking.

 - it is helpful to count out the 4 seconds for possession, remembering to leave a seconds gap before calling 1 on possession.
 
 

MIXED LACROSSE RULES

 

EQUIPMENT

Goalkeepers may wear protective helmet and pads (field goal rules) field players as per women's field rules (gum shields, thin gloves, eye protectors).

Sticks/balls: All players must play with sticks legal to women's rules.

START OF GAME & RE-START AFTER A GOAL

Centre draw as per women's rules with women's sticks.

TEAMS AND SUBSTITUTION

Subs allowed on the fly, or in case of injury.

STAND RULE

On the whistle to stop play, all field players must 'stand' where they are until they are directed to move by the umpire. Game resumes on the second blast of the whistle.

GOALKEEPER

May play ball off the body only within the goal circle.

Ten second time limit to clear ball

Field rules apply once outside the goal circle

The goalkeeper may only venture as far as the half way line

NEW GOAL CIRCLE & FAN RULES

If the new enlarged circle is used, sticks may cross over the line but may not be grounded nor may any part of a player's body be grounded within the       circle.

In the event of a major foul being committed inside the fan area, all players must be cleared from the fan and the attack placed on a hash mark on the

11 m fan. The offending player is placed behind on the 15m and other defences cleared from the fan may take up position on the closest hash marks       either side of the player

 

FOULS

MAJOR

No stick or body contact (player to player). This includes no barging, arming off with one hand or arm, stepping into a player's path without giving a chance for them to change direction.

No dangerous propelling (shot or pass). This includes propelling the ball through unprotected players, uncontrolled flicking and 'blind' release of ball.

No dangerous follow through of stick onto an opponent after propelling the ball.

No defending the space in the goal area unless within 2m of your opponent.

No holding the ball in your stick, or controlling possession for more than 4 seconds (ie passing or rolling the ball to yourself does not increase the time limit.)

PENALTY: Nearest opponent takes a free position where foul occurred, offender placed 4m behind, all others 4m away.  No penalty to be taken inside fan area.  Free position is taken on 11 m arc and the fan area cleared of all players.

MINOR

No intentional ball off the body (to advantage).

No trapping the ball (on the ground with stick or against the body).

No entry into the goal circle (except GK).

PENALTY: Nearest opponent takes a free position where foul occurred, offender placed 4m away (in the direction they came from) all others 4m away. If foul inside the goal area, free position is taken on 15m arc.

CENTRE DRAW

Women's field sticks only. Stick heads back to back and level at waist height. Ball placed in between them, each player with toe to centre line.                     

Set sticks and move away level with waiting players before blowing the start whistle.

TIME LIMIT

Count seconds aloud so teams get used to your timing.  4 seconds maximum possession.

FOULS

If a free position is awarded on the 11 m arc for a major foul clear all players out of the fan area.

If simultaneous fouls occur, a major foul overrides a minor foul or take a 'throw' by placing opponents 4m in from boundary, 1 m apart facing the centre circle. Stand 4m away and on whistle throw ball shoulder height into centre. If neither player touches the ball on the first throw, repeat.

PLAYING 'ADVANTAGE'

If a foul is committed against but the team fouled retain the ball and have advantageous play, call 'advantage' and allow play to continue. If the advantage breaks down within a couple of seconds, stop play and take ball and players back to site where the foul occurred.

INSTRUCTIONS - Loud, clear and confident. Help players to learn the rules and interpretations.

 

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