Tournament Rules
All games will follow NFHS & USA Lacrosse Rules with the following modifications and clarifications:
SOUTHERN EDGE
BOYS RULES
RULES FOLLOW NFHS & USA LACROSSE WITH FOLLOWING MODIFICATIONS:
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: All participants must complete the online waiver and be legally equipped and uniformed according to USA Lacrosse and NFHS guidelines.
ROSTER & ELIGIBILITY: No player may compete below their grade level. No player may be double rostered for 2 teams in the same division.
GAME FORMAT: Two 20 minute running clock halves; 5 minute half time. Teams change field direction in the second half.
CLOCK: Central horn, kept by the Tournament Director. Double horn will signify a one minute warning to take the field, and a single horn will start and end the halves.
TIMEOUTS: One 30 second time out per game, kept by the officials. Timeouts are not permitted in last 5 minutes of the game. Clock does NOT stop during timeouts. No timeouts permitted in overtime. Timeouts can be called by offense anywhere on the field with possession or during dead ball; defense may call timeout on dead ball or following a goal.
OVERTIME: Pool Play = NO overtime; Bracket Play = 3 minutes full field sudden victory period. If still tied after 3 minutes, go into a 3 v 3 Braveheart; Championship Games = NO Braveheart - just a continuous full field OT until a goal is scored.
OFFICIAL SCORE: Score and penalties are maintained by the field coordinator at the table. Coaches from both teams are responsible for verifying and signing the score at the end of each game. Once scores are certified and reported, they cannot be challenged. If a dispute arises about the final score of a game, the coach should immediately bring the concern to the Field Coordinator and request the Tournament Director for resolution prior to the score being reported. Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors and Head Coaches.
PENALTIES & OFFICIATING: Penalty time will be kept by the score keeper at the table. Penalty Clock stops during injuries, timeouts, end of period, and subsequent penalty assessments. Technical fouls are 30-45 seconds and personal fouls range from 1-3 minutes, depending on severity. ALL AGE LEVELS EXCEPT HS, MUST SERVE THE FULL PENALTY TIME. Only HS players are releasable. Penalties begin when the official whistles to restart play.
STICK CHECKS: No stick checks are permitted to be called by coaches/players. Officials can conduct their own stick check within their discretion.
PLAYER PENALTIES: If a player receives 4 personal fouls or 5 minutes of accrued personal penalty time, that player is disqualified from that game. This is different than an ejection. Players who get disqualified from a game due to penalty time, are permitted to play in the next game. If a player is ejected from a game, the tournament director will have the final authority to decide if the player can participate further in the games.
POSSESSION v. FACE OFF: Play should be started at the beginning of each half and after each goal with a face off, EXCEPT: 1) when a period ends with a player advantage situation or flag-down situation; the next period will with awarding the team with possession the ball at the same relative position on the field as before the period ended.
COUNTS: (20) Seconds to clear the midline after (20) Second count expires, team must be in the offensive half, where Over-and-Back rules will be enforced. (10) second count on offensive side applies, as well as goalkeeper count of four (4) seconds to clear. The rule of “keeping it in” during the last 2 minutes does NOT apply at any division. Although, stalling is up to the officials’ discretion and they can call “keep it in” at any time.
MERCY RULE - POOL PLAY ONLY - A team trailing by (7) or more goals can elect to start with possession at midfield after a goal. All periods must start with a face-off during even strength play. 2033 and younger except for the (4) Second goalie count.
CONTACT RULES: U11 - No body checking permitted; U13 - limited body checking permitted; U15 & HS - per NFHS; Excessive contact at any level = 1 minute unnecessary roughness. Officials may penalize any big hit, regardless of ball proximity.
SPORTSMANSHIP & CONDUCT: Only Head Coaches can address the officials and must do so respectfully. Head Coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, assistant coaches and parents. Ejections - Any player who is ejected from a game, must sit out the next game of the tournament. If a player leaves the bench during an altercation on the field, the player is ejected from the tournament. Any player exhibiting antagonistic behavior (fighting, verbal abuse, etc) is either ejected from the game and/or the tournament. Officials and Tournament Directors has the final authority on all rulings for players, coaches and spectators.
WEATHER DELAYS: Once a game is 50% played, the score stands and game is complete
DIVISION SPECIFIC RULES:
2026-2032 (12U and older) - 20 Second defensive zone count, 10 second offensive zone count, and over and back in effect. One handed checks are now permitted at U12 & U14 levels as per USA Lacrosse, as long as they are controlled. If not controlled, it is a slash.
2029/2030/2031/2032 (14U & U12) - Full stick checks permitted one handed checks permitted if controlled; long poles permitted; penalties are NOT releasable for these ages. Body checking should be limited, with no take out checks permitted.
2033/2034 (10U) and younger - 7 v 7 (Rules per USA Lacrosse w/ modifications):
1. Players - 6 field players and a goalie. 2 attack, 2 middies, and 2 defenders. 2 players must remain behind the midline at all times
2. *Faceoffs - done at start of each half and after each goal; all non-face off players must line up behind the goal line extended
3. *Body Checking - NO body checking permitted at this level
4. *Sticks & Stick Checking - No long poles permitted at this age. No one handed stick checks (considered a slash). Stick checks must be made on the opponent’s crosse or gloved hand on the crosse. The opponent must be in possession of the ball or within (3) yards of a loose ball.
5. *Offsides - A team is offsides if more than 4 players are in their offensive half or more than 5 players are in their defensive half. (Must keep 2 back)
6. *Penalties - No man-up/man-down penalties, penalized players serve time but can be replaced; teams play even strength
7. *Mercy Rule - If a team leads by 7 or more goals, the trailing team’s coach can elect to start with possession at the midfield. If the lead narrows to 6 or less goals, standard face-off rules resume.
