Summer League Rules

rules

ACHIEVELAX SUMMER LEAGUE RULES

Achieve Lacrosse will comply with the 2025 USA Lacrosse rules.

TEAM SIZE: Each team will play with six field players: 2 attack, 2 midfield, 2 defense, and 1 goalkeeper; net protectors will be used if a team does not have a goalkeeper.

EQUIPMENT: All players are required to wear a mouth guard and protective women’s lacrosse goggles. Goal keepers must wear ALL protective equipment: helmet with throat guard, chest protector, protective pants, gloves and mouth guard. Shin guards are required for 6th/7th, optional for HS/8th and older.

GAME LENGTH: Two x 25-minute, running time halves; the clock will start on the hour. Teams must be ready to play 5 minutes before the hour and warm up as the previous hour’s teams are packing up. We encourage all players to arrive 15 minutes prior to game time to dress and stretch. The clock will run even if teams are not ready to play.

DRAW:  Draws will be taken at the beginning of each half.  After a goal, the play will resume with a goalie clear. The number of players in and around the circle during the draw shall be restricted to 3 players from each team.

SUBSTITUTIONS: All substitution will be on the fly or at a stoppage of play that is acknowledged by the official. Players are not allowed to stand on the field waiting to be substituted.

CLEARS: A goalkeeper has 10 seconds to clear the ball once she has gained possession. Goalkeepers are not allowed to cross the midfield line.

ONE PASS RULE:  Teams must make one pass once over the Midfield line before going to goal.

  • If the attacking team intercepts a goalie clear after a saved shot or a goal they may go directly to goal. No additional pass required.
  • Any interception from the goalie or any other defensive player in the offensive zone, including a good check to cause a turnover, does not need an additional pass, however if the ball has cleared the offensive zone, marked by the midfield restraining line, one pass is required.

OFF-SIDES: Only 4 players from the offense and 4 defenders will be allowed inside the restraining line. If a team does not have a goalkeeper and is using a net protector, they do not get an additional defender. The mid-line will be used as the offsides line.

CHECKING: Full checking will be allowed for all divisions.

MAJOR FOULS:
  • ILLEGAL USE of CROSSE: If contact is made with a stick that is being held in a horizontal position, the foul shall be on the player whose stick is in that horizontal position.
  • Check roughly or recklessly. Checks will be controlled.
  • A player who checks to the head will receive a YELLOW CARD: a 1-minute penalty and the team will play a man-down. A second yellow card to the same player, may result in game ejection.
  • Slash, excessive slashing will result in a YELLOW CARD – 1-minute, man down penalty.
  • A player’s crosse cannot come within the sphere, around the face or throat of an opponent.
  • Shooting space: with any part of her body guard the goal outside the goal circle so as to obstruct the free space to goal, between the ball and the goal circle, which denies the attack the opportunity to shoot safely. This call should be made only if the player with the ball is looking to shoot. If she is being doubled or tripled teamed and she has no opportunity to shoot to goal, the call should not be made.
  • Set a moving or stationary pick out of visual field of an opposing player which does not allow enough time or space to stop or change direction and contact occurs.
  • Detain an opponent by holding, tagging, or pushing against her body, clothing, or crosse with an arm, leg, body, or crosse. A player may not hold her crosse in such a manner as to restrain or hold back a player.
  • Hold or cradle the head of her crosse in front of her face, within her sphere or close to her body, making a legal/safe check impossible.
  • Shoot dangerously and/or without control.
  • FOUL on the GOAL SCORER, any major foul committed against the goal scorer will be penalized. The goal will count, and the game will be restarted with a free position at center for the team scoring the goal rather than a draw.
MINOR FOULS:
  • Guard or cover a ground ball with a player’s foot or crosse.
  • Check an opponent’s crosse when there is no established possession of the ball
  • Allow any part of her body to impede, accelerate or change the direction of the ball to her team’s distinct advantage.
  • Throw her crosse in any circumstance.

PENALTIES: In addition to the above penalties for major fouls, an official may give any number of verbal cautions or a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct or inappropriate behavior. If a player receives more than 2 yellow cards, she will be suspended for the remainder of that game.  Spectators must contribute to a safe-play environment by demonstrating positive and sportsman-like conduct and by understanding and appreciating the unique rules and culture of the women’s game.

8th GRADE/HIGH SCHOOL DIVISION

The 8th Grade/High School Division will adhere to all of the same rules as stated above in the 6/7th Grade Middle School division.

CLUB/COLLEGE DIVISION Anchor

The Club/College Division will adhere to all of the same rules as stated above in the 8th Grade/High School division.  The Club/College division will ALLOW the following NCAA Collegiate rules:

  1. GOAL CIRCLE PLAY BY DEFENSE: Goal circle play by defenders will be allowed; only one defender who is marking the ball carrier may remain in the goal circle
  2. GREEN CARDS will not be issued for fouls in the midfield
  3. Horizontal defensive crosse will be allowed
  4. CONTINUATION: consistent with NCAA rules, goals will count if a shot is safely made simultaneously as the official's whistle for shooting space.
  5. After a goal, players are not required to place crosse on ground for a stick check.