OLDE NEW
The Olde New England Lacrosse League (ONELL) will adhere to the published NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Rule Book, as amended by the US Lacrosse Post-Collegiate Club Council, with the following exceptions and modifications:
Core Game Rules –
Home Team Responsibilities: The home team shall be responsible both providing for and paying two referees, 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.
Number of Referees:
There shall be at least two (2) referees for all games for both age
divisions. The home team shall be
responsible for providing for and paying the referees. There shall be at least two (2) referees
for all playoff and championship games.
The two teams shall evenly split the cost of referees for playoff
games. The League shall provide for
and pay for referees for the championship games for both age divisions.
Pre Game Conference: There shall be a pre-game conference between team captains and referees 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 (4). The referees shall also provide both team captains with the final score at the end of the game, so that there is no discrepancy regarding the reported final score.
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 single overtime period, the game shall end as a tie. The referees shall maintain both the game time and penalty times on the field.
However, the referees 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 referee 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 “new” NCAA rule as to the
distance between sticks and the ball shall not be used. The distance between sticks prior to
2005 (“old rule”) shall be used. Gloves and the crosse can touch the centerline
during face-offs. All other aspects of positioning in this rule are used.
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 can be altered
or eliminated by mutual agreement between team coaches/captains and
officials.
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 referees.
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 referees 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 stick at its widest
shall not be less than 6 ¼ inches and less than
There is no mandatory random stick check each quarter by the
referees. However, the referee
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 referees.
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.
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:
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, non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and shall be expelled from the game.
OBSCENE LANGUAGE: A minimum of two minutes is to be assessed for obscene language.
MALIGNING AN OFFICIAL: Anyone officially connected with a team or any player who maligns an official, shall receive an unsportsmanlike conduct foul (three minutes, non-releasable). If the same person commits a second maligning foul he shall be expelled from the game and shall serve an additional one game suspension. 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.
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:
a) Swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck.
b) Striking an opponent in an attempt to dislodge the ball from his crosse, unless the player in possession, in an attempt to protect his crosse, uses some part of his body other than his head or neck to ward off the thrust of the defensive player’s crosse and, as a result, the defensive player’s crosse strikes some part of the attacking player’s body other than his head or neck.
c) Striking an opponent in any part of the face, on the neck, in the chest, on the back, on the shoulders, in the groin or on the head with the crosse (including its butt end), except when done by a player in the act of passing, shooting or attempting to scoop the ball.
Note: In all situations except
when a player’s gloved hand on his own crosse is in contact with a line marking
or the ground, that hand shall be considered part of his
crosse.
A.R. 14. A1, in the act of shooting or passing, strikes B1 on the head because of his legitimate follow-through motion. Has A1 committed a foul for striking an opponent on the head? RULING: No.
A.R. 15. B1, while playing A1,
makes contact on A1’s head with his crosse. Has a foul been committed? RULING:
Contact in and of itself does not constitute a foul. The contact must be a
definite blow or strike.
A.R. 16. Can a defensive
player, who does not have reasonable access to an opponent’s crosse and makes no
apparent attempt to dislodge the ball or prevent a feeder’s pass, choose to
strike repeatedly the lower gloved hand on the crosse with undue force to
inflict physical damage? RULING: No — slashing, personal
foul.
Fighting (Section
13): Fighting IS NOT tolerated in the
ONELL. Fighting is defined as a player, substitute, non-playing member
of a squad, coach or anyone officially connected with a team, deliberately
striking or attempting to strike anyone in a malicious manner, or leaving the
bench or coaches area during an altercation. The first offense for fighting 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 fighting shall result in permanent
expulsion from the League, subject to appeal.
“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 referee 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. All team player names and associated jersey numbers shall be submitted to the ONELL Commissioner to be posted on the ONELL web site following the fourth game. No additions to team rosters shall be allowed following the fourth regular season ONELL game. Additionally, the two minimum age requirement exception players must be identified, if utilized.
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 identified on the team roster, 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 strongly advised to maintain a notebook with photocopies of the proof of age (driver’s license) for all players on the roster. A photocopy of a driver’s license shall be deemed as acceptable proof of age.
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 referees 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 1-0 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 1-0 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 referees 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
3.
Best
record versus common opponents
4.
Goal
differential (Total goals for divided by total goals against in 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 #4 seed as applicable.
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 June 2008