SWEET LAXIN' 2009

Each game will consist of two twenty five (25) minute halves. Games are scheduled every 60 minutes.
- Every team will play at least 5 games.
- Warm up for your game on the side of the field and be prepared to start you game immediately at the scheduled time.
- At the conclusion of your game, shake the other teams hand and leave the bench area.

1. TIME:
• The games will consist of two 25 minute running time halves.
• Halftime is 2 minutes long.
• One timeout per game. Timeouts will be 30 seconds long.
• No time outs in the last 2 minutes of the game (a horn will signal 2 minutes remaining).
• Clock will continue to run during timeout.
• Time will be kept at the tournament headquarters.
o Start and stop all games on the sound of the horn
o A single long blast will signify beginning and end of each half.
o Two short blasts will signify 2 minutes left in the game.
o Keep it in for the team ahead in last 2 minutes.
Sudden Death Overtime will last 4 minutes.
There will be no timeouts in overtime.
Sudden death time will be kept by the game referee.

2. POOL FORMAT:
All teams play in a pool within their division. Playoff seeding is based on performance within their pool. Each team is awarded 3 points for a win and 1 point for a tie.
TIE BREAKERS:
A. If two teams are tied and they've played each other, head to head competition will be used.
B. If three or more teams are tied, or A does not break a tie between two teams, the following criteria will be used:
1. Fewest goals allowed (GA).
2. Most goals scored (GF).
3. Greatest winning margin (i.e., total goal differential).
4. Coin toss.

3. GENERAL:
• National HS Federation rules apply for all ages and divisions.
• Arm pads are recommended but not required for the goal keeper.
• 20 Second Clearing Rule and 10 Second Offense Advancing Rule is in effect at the High School age brackets only.
• Exception: Substitutions permitted on all out of bounds.
• Exception: 5 goal mercy rule – ball is given to a losing team that trails by five or more goals at midfield, regardless of which team scores.
• Face-offs after each goal and the beginning of each half and overtime. Unless one team is ahead by 5 or more goals.
• Officials will keep the official score.
• All penalties will be one minute. The penalty will begin on official’s restart of play after penalty is called. Penalties are running time. Penalty time will be kept by the officials. In the event of a penalty on the goalie- the penalty will be served by the in-home player.
• Players may only play for one team during the tournament.
• Any fighting or flagrant disrespect toward an official will result in expulsion for the remainder of the tournament. No Exceptions, No Refunds.
• NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED! (Seeing Eye Dogs are the only exception.) Please communicate this to all of your parents.
• We reserve the right to shorten games or cancel games due to inclement weather. In the event play is suspended on Saturday due to weather, the Tournament Director will decide how to determine Sunday playoff positioning. In the event of an injury on the field as time expires-If injury time could influence the outcome of the game the field supervisor has the discretion to add time to complete the game.
• A team may have a maximum of four (4) long poles on the field at one time.
• Team captains must introduce themselves to the officials immediately before each game, and provide their official team names for scoring
• Clean up Bench Areas after games: Each coach is asked to ensure that the bench area is picked-up after each game. Trash cans are available near the bench areas and trash bags if needed are available in the Registration Tent.
• Water: Each team is responsible for bringing a water container to the tournament.
4. REGISTRATION:
• All players are required to be US Lacrosse Members and have a current US Lacrosse membership number.
All teams must turn in their completed roster at check in the morning before their first game. Rosters are frozen as submitted.
• No team player may jump from one team to another; any infractions will result in forfeit.
• 8 players are required to start a game.
• A team not ready to play 5 minutes after the horn will forfeit.
• The score of a forfeited game will be 7-0.
5. HOME TEAM: The home team: (a) is the FIRST team listed on the schedule; (b) will have their choice of bench area (when field conditions permit, both teams are to be on the same touchline with all parents and supporters on the opposite side of the field); (c) shall change jerseys when there is a color conflict in uniforms; and (d) provide the game balls.
6. COACHES: Each team must have a non-playing adult (21 years or older) designated as its coach at each game. If the regular coach is not available for a game or has been sent off, another adult must fill the role of coach.

7. NUMBER OF COACHES ON A SIDELINE: Each team will limit the # of coaches in the bench area to two, a Head Coach and an Assistant Coach. All others besides these two coaches should refrain from communicating with the officials during a game.
8. PROTESTS: Protests regarding games or their outcome will not be entertained. Questions of eligibility must be addressed with referees at the field.
9. RESOLUTION OF PROBLEMS OR DISPUTES: The Tournament Director will make all final rulings/ decisions on any and all problems or disputes.
10. TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS: The tournament committee reserves the right to change tournament rules to accommodate unforeseen circumstances and to benefit the players.
11. CASTS, SPLINTS, and KNEE BRACES: Casts, splints and knee braces are allowed provided they are (in the opinion of the referee) adequately covered and padded so as to eliminate the possibility of its causing injury to the other players on the field. Players may wear no jewelry. Please see NFHS rules for further clarification.
12. BLOOD-BORNE PATHOGEN PROCEDURES: The following procedures will be followed to minimize the risk of infection by blood-borne diseases. Any player or official who is bleeding must leave the field of play immediately to receive medical treatment, and may not return until the situation is corrected to the satisfaction of the referee as follows.
1. The bleeding is stopped, the blood has been removed from the skin surface, the contaminated skin has been disinfected, and the wound is covered.
2. If there is blood on the uniform, it must be washed from the uniform and the uniform disinfected.

Special Thanks to Vince Colatriano!