OLDE NEW
The Olde New England Lacrosse League (ONELL) will adhere to the published NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rule Book, with the following exceptions:
Core Game Rules -
Home Team Responsibilities: The home team shall be responsible both providing for and paying two officials, securing the field, ensuring that the field is properly lined, providing regulation goals, providing at least six balls on each end line, and promptly reporting the final score to the League. The home team shall also provide accurate directions to the field location.
Officials: There shall be at least two (2) officials for all games for both age divisions. The home team shall be responsible for providing for and paying the officials. There shall be at least two (2) neutral officials for all playoff games and three (3) neutral officials for each championship game. The two teams shall evenly split the cost of officials for playoff games. The League shall provide for and pay for officials for the championship games for both age divisions.
All ONELL officials must be certified in either MA (EMLOA) or NH, with a minimum level of experience with varsity high school games; preferably those officials who are regularly assigned elite level high school and/or NCAA games.
The home team has the prerogative to secure officials, but all teams are strongly encouraged to utilize Roy Condon and Darrell Benson as the primary assignors for officials for any Massachusetts-based home games north and south of Boston, respectively. There are no provisions for cental assignors for officials in New Hampshire.
A pricing structure of $90-100 per official per game for a two person crew for an ONELL game (15 minute running time quarters) is highly suggested.
Pre Game Conference: There shall be a pre-game conference between team captains and officials to confirm the rules regarding the length and timing of quarters, breaks between quarters and halftime, 20 second clear rule, get it in and keep it in rule, number and duration of timeouts, stop time in last two minutes of each half and maximum number of long poles permitted.
Coin Toss: If requested by either team, the head official shall conduct a coin toss to determine the choice of which goal to defend to start the game, or alternate possession. The visiting team shall "call" the coin toss in the air as "heads" or "tails". The winner of the coin toss shall select which goal to defend to start the game, which will alternate by quarter. Otherwise alternate possession shall apply.
Game Time: ONELL games shall consist of four quarters of 15 minutes running time. However, the clock shall be stopped in the final two minutes of play of each half. There shall be two minutes between quarters, and five minutes for halftime. There shall be a single overtime period consisting of five minutes of running time (no stop time in overtime) until sudden death. If there is no score in the overtime period, the game shall end as a tie. The officials shall maintain both the game time and penalty times on the field.
However, the officials shall have the option to stop time if a team appears to be intentionally delaying the restart of play after the ball has gone out of bounds, or if the home team does not provide a sufficient of balls on the end line. The official also shall have the option to call a delay of game technical foul (30 second foul). Time should also be stopped for any "on field" injury of a player that requires on field assistance.
Time Outs: Each team shall have two time outs per half with no carry-over. Each team will have one time out per overtime period. The time out period shall be one minute in length. The game clock shall be stopped during a time out. During live play the team in possession of the ball can call a time out in either 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.
Face Offs: The "old" NCAA face off rules shall apply (prior to 2005). The 4 inch wide stripe and associated distance between sticks is not utilized (post 2005). The NCAA count of "Down", then whistle shall be utilized for face offs in all League games.
Clears: The possessing team shall have twenty (20) seconds to advance the ball from the defensive end of the field to across the midfield line, and another ten (10) seconds to advance the ball within the attack area (below the restraining line). For the purposes of this rule, the attack area shall be considered to include the 10-yard alley or wing area between the box and the sidelines/endline. If the ball leaves the attack zone (including wing/alley area), the offensive team has ten (10) seconds to advance the ball back within the attack zone (including wing/alley area). Both the Over-30 and Over-40 divisions shall utilize this rule. The time count for clears must be used in all games (the ability for teams to mutually agree to eliminate or alter the clear count is no longer permitted).
Get It In and Keep It In: Within the last two minutes of regulation time in the fourth quarter, the team leading the score shall be required to "get it in and keep it in" the box/attack area below the restraining line, which shall include the wing/alley area.
Substitutions: The horn shall not be used. Teams are able to substitute "on the fly" through the substitution box area, subject to adjudication by the officials.
Slow Whistle: The slow whistle rule is not used; instead the traditional play on and whistle when the ball hits the ground is utilized.
Alternate Possession: The alternate possession rule shall be in force.
Long Stick Personnel: Each team is permitted a maximum of four (4) "long sticks" on the field. The long stick is as defined in the Uniforms and Equipment section below.
Goal Crease Prohibitions: The NCAA "dive rule" is not used. A goal shall be allowed if a player enters the crease after the ball crosses the goal line. A goal shall be disallowed only when a player enters the crease or makes contact with the cage before the ball has crossed the goal line, and a crease violation is enforced.
Uniforms & Equipment -
Uniforms: Teams are not required to have matching jerseys or shorts. However, the jersey must be of a like color so as not to cause confusion either for the officials or the opposing team. It is the visiting team's responsibility to confirm that there will be no uniform color conflicts when traveling to an away game. The home team has the priority for jersey color.
The Crosse: The head of the crosse must be between 6.5 and 10 inches wide; the goalie's crosse may be 10 to 12 inches wide. The attack and midfielder stick shall be between 40 and 42 inches in length. Any stick between 42 and 72 inches maximum in length shall be considered to be a defensive or "long stick." Each team is permitted a maximum of four (4) "long sticks" on the field.
There is no mandatory random stick check each quarter by the officials. However, the official retains the right to check a stick at any time. The opposing team captain may call for a stick check. NCAA rules apply to the resulting determination by the officials.
The Helmet: A protective helmet, equipped with face mask, chin pad and a cupped four point chin strap fastened to all four hookups, must be worn by all men's players. All helmets and facemasks must be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved.
The Glove: All players are required to wear protective gloves. The cutting or altering of gloves is prohibited.
Protective Equipment: All players, with the exception of the goalkeeper, must wear a NOCSAE approved helmet and gloves. Shoulder pads, arm pads, rib pads and mouthpieces are strongly recommended. The goalkeeper is required to wear a throat protector and chest protector, in addition to a helmet and gloves.
Illegal Equipment - Team Captain Request: A team captain can request
a stick check,
but not a personal equipment check. During a stick check, officials are not
to check any personal equipment. However, this does not preclude officials
from taking action if they happen to observe illegal equipment.
Fouls and Penalties -
Penalty Timing: In light of the fact that the ONELL utilizes 15 minute running time quarters, all penalty times shall be increased from the NCAA dictated penalty time by a factor of 50% (i.e., technical fouls are assessed 45 seconds and personal fouls are assessed 90 seconds).
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: In addition to the "Unsportsmanlike
Conduct" fouls listed in
Rule 5-Section 10 of the NCAA Rule Book, the following "special conditions"
shall apply:
NOTE: Penalty time for all of the above "special conditions" is non-releasable.
Body Checks: A player cannot take more than three (3) steps prior
to initiating a body check.
Slashing: Slashing shall be considered to include the following actions:
"Take Out" Checks: "Take out" checks ARE NOT tolerated in the ONELL. A "take out" check shall be determined at the discretion of the official, and is in their consideration an act of flagrant "unnecessary roughness" (any act on the part of a player that is deliberate and excessively violent) so as to intentionally cause serious harm or injury to another player (such as intentionally going for an opponent's knees or head). The first offense for a "take out" check shall result in a three minute, non-releasable penalty and in the player being expelled from the game and suspended for the next two regular season or post-season games. A second offense for a "take out" check shall result in permanent expulsion from the League, subject to appeal.
Expulsion: When any expulsion occurs, the official must notify the ONELL Commissioner within 48 hours of the occurrence. The League shall notify the team representative of the expelled player that is ineligible, as well as the opposing teams that have games scheduled in which the suspended player will not be eligible. 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. Furthermore, any player repeatedly involved in actions deemed detrimental to the game is subject to suspension or expulsion by a simple majority vote of the Executive Board of the League (see By-Laws Section 14-2).
In the event that a player is permanently expelled from the League, the ONELL Commissioner shall notify all team representatives so that the expelled player cannot join another team. A player can be permanently expelled from the League upon the occurrence of the second incident of fighting, take out checks, or a combination of both, subject to appeal.
A player does have the right to appeal a permanent expulsion from the League. Upon appeal to the League Commissioner, a Board of Inquiry shall commence, comprised of the League Commissioner and Rules Committee, and shall review and rule on the incident, with direct input from the officials involved in the incident and anyone else the Board deems appropriate. The Board of Inquiry shall make every effort to review the expulsion appeal as soon as possible. During the appeal process, the player in question shall not be permitted to play in any regular or post season games until a final ruling is reached by the Board of Inquiry.
Team Rosters and Player Eligibility -
Team Rosters: Team rosters shall be fixed following the fourth regular season ONELL games, regardless of bye weeks. All team player names, positions and associated jersey numbers must be submitted to the ONELL Commissioner to be posted on the ONELL web site following the fourth game and prior to the fifth game. No additions to team rosters shall be allowed following the fourth regular season ONELL game. Failure to submit a complete roster will result in game forfeits until the roster is submitted and accepted by the League.
Additionally, the two minimum age requirement exception players must be clearly identified with an asterisk, if utilized. Teams are strongly encouraged to finalize and submit their rosters in advance of the deadline so as to lessen the burden on the webmaster.
Playoff Eligibility: A player must attend at least three (3) regular season games in an age division in order to qualify to play in the playoffs in that age division. Each team is responsible for maintaining a team roster that includes game attendance for each player on the roster. A player need only attend a game to qualify; they are not required to have played in a game. Thus an injured player could attend three regular season age division games and not play (be on bench/sidelines), and still qualify to play in the age division playoffs. Clearly the tracking of attendance at the team level is a matter of mutual trust and honesty.
Minimum Age Requirement: For the Over-30 division and Over-40 division, each player must attain the age of 30 or 40 during the calendar year in which the season falls.
Minimum Age Requirement Exceptions: Each team shall be allowed two (2) exceptions to the minimum age requirements, such that a player shall be age 28 or 29 in the Over-30 division, or age 38 or 39 in the Over-40 division. The two minimum age requirement exception players must be clearly identified on the team roster with an asterisk, if utilized.
Proof of Age: Upon request, all players must be able to provide proof of age if challenged by the opposing team. If a player cannot provide proof of age, they shall be disqualified and expelled from that game. Any goals scored by a player who is unable to provide proof of age shall be disallowed.
Team captains are advised to maintain a notebook with the team roster and photocopies of the proof of age (driver's license) for all players on the roster. However, photocopies of a driver's license or other identification shall no longer be deemed as acceptable proof of age. Acceptable proof of age shall be a valid state or federal identification (state driver's license, state identification card, military identification card, passport or visa). No exceptions are permitted. Players are highly encouraged to have their proof of age on the sidelines so it is readily available upon request.
Illegal Players: A player shall be considered illegal if they are underage (either under the age limit for the age division or over the limit of two age exemption players per team) and/or non-roster (not listed on the team roster following the fourth regular season game).
A team captain can request an "age check" for the verification of age for a player on the opposing team, similar to the "stick check" call, at any point during the game. It is suggested, however, that such requests are made during logical stoppage points in the game (after a goal, during a timeout or at the end of a quarter).
Penalties/sanctions for the use of an illegal player
will be the forfeit of the immediate game in question the first offense. A
second offense in the same season will result in suspension from the League
of the team and all of the players on its roster, plus the illegal player(s),
for the remainder of the current season as well as the following ONELL season.
By suspending all players on a team's roster for the second offense of utilizing
an illegal player (non-roster and/or underage), the responsibility for policing
a team's actions falls upon the entire team, rather than just the team Captain/League
representative. Thus everyone on the team has a stake in adhering to the written
and published ONELL rules regarding the use of illegal players.
Schedule Changes, Forfeits and Cancelled Games -
Schedule Changes: The home team shall be responsible for and have
jurisdiction over game location, date and start time. Any changes to the published
ONELL regular season schedule must be communicated to both the opposing team
and the officials at least one week (7 days) in advance of the scheduled game.
This shall include changes of date, start time and/or location of the scheduled
game.
If a team requests a change in the published ONELL schedule, the burden shall
fall upon that team to find a mutually convenient and acceptable date, time
and/or location in which to play the game. In the spirit of good sportsmanship,
both teams shall make every effort to find an alternative date, time and/or
location. If the teams are unable to find a mutually acceptable date, time
and/or location to make up the cancelled game before the end of the regular
season, then a 10-0 loss will be awarded to the
team that requested the schedule change.
The regular season shall be considered to end on the last day that a regular
season game is scheduled per the most recent published ONELL schedule.
Forfeits: In the case of a forfeit, the team that forfeits the game
shall be awarded a 10-0 loss. A forfeit shall occur if a team does not have
at least 8 players dressed and ready to play at the start of a game, including
goalie. A forfeit shall also occur if a team requests a change in game date,
time or location less than a week (7 days) in advance of the scheduled game,
and the game is not able to be played or adequately rescheduled prior to the
end of the regular season.
In the event of a forfeited game, the entire roster of team that has game
forfeited against receives credit for the game as being played, whereas the
entire roster of the team that forfeits the game gets no credit for the game
played. In this manner, the team that is forfeited against shall not lose
a potential game for playoff eligibility purposes.
Game Cancellation Due to Weather/Lightning: If a game is cancelled
due to weather and/or lightning, it must be made up at the earliest mutual
convenience of both teams. It is understood that weather conditions may preclude
a team from utilizing its regular home field out of concern for damage to
the field. If the teams are unable to find a mutually acceptable date, time
and/or location to make up the cancelled game before the end of the regular
season, then a 0-0 tie will be awarded to both teams.
In the event that a game already underway is cancelled by the officials by
reason of weather and/or lightning, then either:
1) If the game is cancelled prior to the start of the second half of play, then the game will be rescheduled according to the Schedule Change procedures outlined above.
2) If the game in cancelled in the second half of play, then the score at the time of the game cancellation shall be the considered the final outcome.
For example, in the case where Team A is leading Team B by a score of 6-5 in the second half of play when the game is cancelled due to lightning, then Team A shall be awarded the 6-5 win. If the score is tied 6-6, then each team shall be awarded a 6-6 tie.
Post-Season Qualification and Ranking Criteria-
1. Overall ONELL regular season record = total points
(Not geographical conference record, i.e., north and south)
2. Head-to-head match-ups, as determined by goal differential if more than one regular season game is played between two teams.
(Total goals for minus total goals against)
3. Best record versus common opponents
4. Goals against average
(Total goals against divided by the total number of games played in the ONELL regular season)
Two (2) points shall be awarded for a win, one (1) point shall be awarded
to each team for a tie, and zero (0) points are awarded for a loss.
In the event that an unequal number of regular season games are scheduled
within an age division, then the overall ONELL regular season record (criteria
#1 above) shall be determined by total points divided by number of games scheduled,
with the highest numerical average as the #1 seed and proceeding similarly
through the #6 seed as applicable.
There shall be two successive rounds of playoffs immediately
following the regular season. The first round (wild card) shall consist of
the #6 seed vs. the #3 seed, and the #5 seed vs. the #4 seed; the #1 and #2
seeds get a first round bye. The second round (semi finals) shall consist
of the winner of the #6/#3 game vs. the #2 seed, and the winner of the #5/#4
game vs. the #1 seed.
PLEASE NOTE:
The ONELL Rules Committee shall serve as the final and binding arbiter
in the event of conflicts or disagreements between teams involving rules interpretations,
schedule changes, and forfeited or cancelled games, at the discretion and
bidding of the ONELL Commissioner.
Amended July 2009