Sixes Tournament Rules

Format

• 6v6 (5 field players and 1 GK)
• If no goalkeeper is available, a rage cage may be used. If a goal is scored or a ball ends up in the crease, a
  field player may enter the crease, pick up the ball, and run the ball out of the crease (similar to a deputy.)
• A draw will be held to start each half. Goalies will restart play from their crease after a goal is scored.

Timing

• All games will consist of one, 12-minute running time period.
• There will be 3 minutes in between games
• Shot Clock: A 30 second shot clock will be initiated each time a change of possession takes place, or a goal is scored.
  • Shot clocks will be reset if:
    • A shot hits any part of the goal or the goalie
    • There is a change of possession
    • The officials assess a time-serving penalty
  • If a shot hits the post or the goalie and goes out of bounds, the shot clock will be reset, and possession is awarded to the offensive team
• A wide shot that goes out of bounds will be considered a turnover and the defensive team will be awarded possession the shot clock will be reset

Over and Back

• Once the ball crosses into the offensive half, the team in possession cannot return it to the defensive half through their own actions.
• If the ball touches or crosses the center line due to the offensive team's actions, it's considered a violation.  The result is an immediate change of possession and a quick restart for the opposing team.
• 'Over and Back' does not apply if and when:
  • If the ball crosses the midline due to a shot, there's no violation.
  • If the defensive team causes the ball to cross the midline (e.g., deflection), play continues without penalty.

Penalties

• Minor fouls:
  • If a minor foul is called on the offensive team, this will result in a change of possession.
  • Any minor foul called on the defensive team will result in a penalty with the offender moving 4 meters in
    any direction; play will resume with a whistle-start.
• Major fouls:
  • All major fouls are assessed as 1:00, non-releasable penalties. Players must leave the field for 1:00.
    • Any player accruing more than four (4) major fouls will be ejected from the game.
    • All major fouls resulting in a yellow card will be assessed as 1:00, non-releasable penalties. The player
      must leave the field for 1:00.
  • All fouls, major and minor, regardless of where the foul occurs, will be an indirect free position taken at the
    ‘Penalty Dot” area (in the center of the field near the midfield line). All fouls require a pass before the offense
    can shoot the ball. Failing to pass the ball before a shot takes place will result in a change of possession. (If
    the ball is shot, and a pass hasn’t occurred, the goalkeeper will be awarded the ball in the crease.)
    • For fouls that occur in the critical scoring area, the indirect free position will be awarded at least 12
      meters away from the goal in the center.

Boundary Balls

• Any ball that goes out-of-bounds for any reason (other than a shot) will be a change of possession.
• If a shot is taken and goes out-of-bounds, it is a change of possession. (The defense is awarded possession.)
• If a shot is taken and the ball makes contact with the goalkeeper or the goal (i.e. off a post) and then goes out of bounds, the offensive team will keep possession of the ball.

Checking

• Legal and safe use of the cross is essential for the minimization of risk to players
• Players must not initiate stick to body contact by using the stick to hit, push, or displace an opponent
• Per USA Lacrosse rules, players will be required to follow standard checking guidelines as it relates to their current age limitations
  • High School: 2026-2029 Full checking
  • 2030, 2031: Full checking
  • 2032, 2033: Modified checking
  • 2033, 2034: No checking