Download the 2011 MCLC Rule
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MCLC Rules for 2011

NCAA rules and interpretations are used unless they are specifically modified in these rules. Rule and section numbers herein are the same as those in the NCAA rule book. Individual leagues can modify certain aspects of these rules. Uniform specifications and player equipment can be modified as long as the changes are stricter in content, not weaker. Time factors, the number of long sticks, and the number of timeouts can also be changed

POINTS OF EMPHASIS:

1. Officials are to use the field mechanics and the positioning technique set forth by the US Lacrosse Men’s Division Officials Council in the Men’s Lacrosse Officials Mechanics Manual.

2. An official who fails to adhere to #1 or who does not wear the proscribed uniform of his assigning association is subject to having his league game assignments taken away.

3. When obscene language is penalized, a MINIMUM of one minute is to be assessed. NCAA mechanics for determining obscene language shall be used.

4. Use of the Conduct Foul (Rule 6 – Section 7), especially subparagraph c, is encouraged.

5. STRICTLY ENFORCE THE DELAY OF GAME PENALTY when there are no “ball retrievers”.   See Rule 6 – Section 6 – paragraph f-7. There must be four balls on the end line prior to each half.

RULE 1

PLAYING FIELD (2): Fields may be 53 to 60 yards wide. Limit lines and the 4 inch square at the center of the field are not required. All other lines and dimensions must be as stated in the NCAA rules unless the home team has a written waiver from the league. If there is no written waiver, the appropriate NCAA procedures and penalties are to be applied.

GOALS (3) & NETS (5): NCAA rules as to the color, and the size and shape of the pipes used in the construction of goals shall not apply. Both nets do not have to be the same color or a solid color.

CONES & PYLONS (15): These are not required, but are strongly recommended.

BALL RETRIEVERS (16): They are not mandatory, but every effort should be made to provide them.  If they are not provided, an adequate supply of balls (4) must be placed at each end line.

CROSSE DIMENSIONS (17): The head of the stick at its widest shall not be less than 6 inches.

HELMET, FACE MASK, & MOUTHPIECE (20): Helmets do not have to be the same dominant team color or colors. NOCSAE approved lacrosse helmets are required. Unless an indoor lacrosse helmet is NOCSAE approved (must have a warning label), it is not legal. Mouthpieces are not required, but are strongly recommended.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT (21): The home team has the choice of jersey color. Sweat pants and garments worn under jerseys or shorts do not have to be white, gray, or the same color. Shoulder pads and arm pads are not required, but are strongly recommended. Gloves do not have to be the same color and can have the palms cut out. The manner in which gloves can be altered is described in Rule 5 – Section 6 of these rules.

COACHES CERTIFICATION (21): There is no coaches’ certification but the teams should have captains meet pre-game.

GAME ADMINISTRATION-TIMERS HORN (25): A horn is not required.

RULE 2

CROSSE RESTRICTIONS (1): There is no limit as to the number of sticks over 52 inches in length that can be on the field at the same time.

RULE 3

LENGTH OF GAME (1) & SUDDEN VICTORY OVERTIME (5): Regulation quarters are 20 minutes each and sudden victory overtimes 4 minutes. Running time is used. The clock does not stop after a goal is scored. The clock MUST stop when there is an undue delay in retrieving an out of bunds ball. The clock shall also stop during team and official time-outs, and during all stoppages of play during the last three minutes of the fourth period (this includes when goals are scored during that time).  NOTE: Paragraph f-3 in Section 6 of Rule 6 must be strictly enforced. This pertains to the time which elapses after the scoring of a goal. Officials are to wear timers (beepers) to enforce this rule.

AUTOMATIC STALL WARNING AT THE END OF THE FOURTH PERIOD (4): This rule states that the warning is given after the ball is brought into the attack area. A team does not have to “get it in” unless they are stalling as stated in the ADVANCING THE BALL section in Rule 4 of these rules.  If the offense is being played closely, it is conceivable that they could keep the ball out of the attack area during the entire last two minutes of the fourth period. The attack area is the NCAA “box” as it is defined in Rule 1 – Section 6. IT IS SIDE LINE TO SIDE LINE.

FORFEITED GAME vs. NO CONTEST (8): These rules are set in the MCLC bylaws.

RULE 4

FACING OFF (2): The new NCAA rule as to the distance between sticks and the ball shall not be used.  The distance between sticks used in prior years shall be used. All other aspects of this rule are used. The NCAA rule of down, set, whistle will be used.

ADVANCING THE BALL (14 & 15): These rules are not used. But, if team is not making an attempt to advance the ball out of their defensive half of the field, or into the attack area, they shall be warned to “clear the ball” if clearing or “get it in” if they have the ball over the center line. Once the ball is in the attack area after the “get it in” warning, it must stay in as per Section 11-a(2) of Rule 6. A team with fewer players than its opponent, or being played closely by the defense, shall not receive a stall warning.

GOAL-CREASE PROHIBITIONS (20): The current NCAA “dive rule” is used.

SUBSTITUTION (22 & 24): A horn is not used. All substitutions during live play shall be on the fly through the special substitution area as per Section 24. Following the scoring of a goal, players may leave and enter the field through the bench area.

TEAM TIME-OUTS (28): During live play the team in possession of the ball can call a time-out in both the defensive and offensive half of the field. The player in possession of the ball does not have to be in contact with the ground when the time-out is called. Each Team will receive one timeout per half.

ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT-HEAD COACHES REQUEST (29): A head coach or team captain can request a stick check, but not a personal equipment check. During a stick check officials are not to check personal equipment.

This does not preclude officials from taking action if they happen to observe illegal equipment.

RULE 5

USE OF ILLEGAL EQUIPMENT (6): Palms can be cut out of gloves. The palm side must cover the fingers from the first joint above the palm to the top of each finger. Illegal gloves are to be penalized as per NCAA rules.  Although the wearing of shoulder pads is not required (see Rule 1 – Section 21 of these rules), if they are worn, they cannot be altered. If they are altered, they are illegal.

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (10): In addition to the “Unsportsmanlike Conduct” fouls listed in Rule 5-Section 10 of the NCAA Rule Book, the following special conditions shall apply:

RACIAL EPITHETS & REMARKS: A player or anyone officially connected to a team who uses a racial epithet or makes a racial remark shall receive a three minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and shall be expelled from the game.

OBSCENE LANGUAGE: The official has the right to determine if obscene language should be penalized as a conduct foul or an unsportsmanlike conduct foul due to severity.

MALIGNING AN OFFICIAL: Anyone officially connected with a team or any player who maligns an official, shall receive an unsportsmanlike conduct foul. If the same person commits a second maligning foul he shall be expelled from the game. In the event that penalty time has not started on the first foul, additional penalty time shall not be assessed, only the expulsion.   NOTE: Penalty time for all of the above “special conditions” is non-releasable.

TOBACCO (14): This rule is not used.

RULE 6

PLAYER OUT ON A PENALTY (1-b): After a penalized player has reported to the penalty area he can be substituted for at any time, but he cannot reenter the game until his penalty time expires or the penalty has been released due to a goal.

PENALTY TIME (2): Penalties shall be releasable unless otherwise stated. Penalty time shall not start until the penalized player reports to the penalty area and the whistle has blown to restart play. Thereafter, the penalty clock and the game clock shall run concurrently. Goalies do not serve penalty time unless the time for a single foul is two or more minutes. The In-home serves the penalty time, but the goalies number is recorded. A goalie is subject to fouling out as per Rule 5 – section 11, and to expulsion as per section 13 or the other expulsion rules in these modifications.

NUMBER OF PLAYERS SERVING PENALTY TIME (2-f): This rule is used.

MISCELLANEOUS

INCIDENTS WITH OFFICIALS: In order for a league to take action when an incident occurs, the officials assigned to the game and the assignors must adhere to the procedures and time limits set forth in this section.

If an official is touched during or after a game, or is verbally abused after a game, by a player or anyone officially connected to a league team, the official must send a written report or e-mail to his assignor. The report must be postmarked or time stamped within 48 hours of the incident. Within 48 hours after the assignor receives the report, he must forward it to the league. The league will conduct an investigation. The findings and any action to be taken will be reported to the official, his assignor, and the team representative of the person involved. The team representative has the responsibility of notifying the person from his team who was involved. The league must also notify the opposing teams that have games scheduled in which the suspended player will not be eligible to play.

EXPULSION FROM A GAME: Anyone who is expelled from a game for using racial epithets, making racial remarks, maligning an official, or violating the conditions in Section 13 of Rule 5, will not be eligible to play in the next game that his team plays that counts towards a playoff berth, or a playoff game, whichever comes first. If there are no games remaining in the season, the penalty shall carry over to the next season in which that person participates in the league.  A player who has already been expelled from a game and violates any of the expulsion situations in the preceding paragraph is subject to being declared ineligible for more than one game.

When any expulsion occurs, the referee must notify his assignor within 48 hours of the occurrence. The assignor then notifies the person indicated by a league within 48 hours after receiving the report.  The league should notify the team representative of the expelled player that is ineligible and the opposing teams that have games scheduled in which the suspended player will not be eligible.

USE OF INELIGIBLE OR ILLEGAL PLAYERS: A team whose opponent has used an ineligible or illegal player should report the incident to the league. This must be done within 48 hours after learning of the violation. The league shall make all decisions as to any disciplinary action that might be taken.

QUESTIONS CONCERNING THESE RULES, AND PROBLEMS WITH OFFICIALS: When a team thinks that a situation has occurred where an official should be disciplined, the incident must be reported in writing to the league within 48 hours after it occurred.