Rules & Safety Guidelines
USA Lacrosse Sixes Rules
All games follow USA Lacrosse Sixes rules, emphasizing player safety and flow.
Key Rule Differences from Traditional Field Lacrosse
These are important differences from traditional 12v12 field lacrosse that players and coaches should be aware of.
- Out-of-bounds: Possession goes to the opposite team than the one who last touched the ball. This applies even on shots. If a shot strikes the goalie and goes out, possession goes back to the offense.
- Dangerous stick or contact fouls: Result in 1-minute time-serving penalties (see league-specific modifications below).
- "Walling" (multiple players blocking goal): In women's game, this is a major foul. At U14 and below, one player blocking the goal is considered walling.
- Dangerous propels: Above the knee results in game suspension/expulsion. Below the knee results in 1-minute penalty (women's game only).
- Minor procedural fouls: Quick restart near midfield at the "Penalty Dot" area.
- Over and Back: Once the ball is in a team's offensive half, it cannot return to the defensive half through offensive team actions. Results in immediate change of possession.
Dev League House Rules
Modifications to standard Sixes rules for developmental play to emphasize skill development and game flow.
- Major Fouls: No man-down situations. All major fouls result in forced substitution only - no cards or penalty time served. The offending player must leave the field and be replaced immediately.
Open League House Rules
Standard Sixes penalty rules apply for competitive play.
- Foul Penalties: Minor fouls result in 30-second time-serving penalties. Major fouls result in 1-minute time-serving penalties. Teams play with fewer players on the field during penalty time (man-down situations).
Player Placement
Players with under two seasons of experience but clear advanced skills may be moved up to the Open Division to maintain fair and competitive play.
Safety First
Player safety is our top priority. All participants must follow safety guidelines, and dangerous play will result in penalties or suspension. If you have any concerns about safety or rules, please contact league administrators.
USA Lacrosse Sixes Rules
Based on World Lacrosse Sixes Rules with modifications for USA Lacrosse Youth Play
Source: USA Lacrosse Sixes Rules (PDF)
Out of Bounds
An out of bounds ball is awarded to the team that did not cause the ball to go out of bounds, including shots on goal.
Note: All boundaries are whistle started; Official determines the player being awarded the ball. The restart takes place 2 meters in bounds.
Types of Fouls
Minor Fouls
(Green Card: 30-second time-serving penalty if the offending team does not have possession. If the offending team has possession, the penalty is a loss of possession and a whistle start at spot of the ball.)
- Interference (with stick or body)
- Pushing
- Illegal Pick
- Holding
- Withholding the ball from play
- Illegal actions with the stick (Contact with horizontal stick is illegal)
- Illegal action by team official (coach, trainer)
- Illegal Procedure (leaving penalty area before penalty time, delay of game, etc)
- Illegal Equipment
- Offsides only on Goalie
- Warding
- Empty Stick Check (This is a minor foul only when a team has possession. Empty stick checks during loose ball situations are legal)
Major Fouls
(Yellow Card: 1-minute time-serving penalty)
- Illegal Body Check
- Slashing
- Cross-check
- Tripping
- Unnecessary Roughness
- Illegal Stick
- Unsportsmanlike Conduct
- Dangerous Follow-Through
- Illegal Crease defending
- Walling (see description below)
- Dangerous Propel (Above knee = expulsion; below knee = 1 minute)
Expulsion Fouls
(Offending Player leaves game & In-Home serves 2-minute time-serving penalty)
- Fighting
- Using threatening, abusive language or misconduct towards the officials
- Deliberately body checking in the head, neck area or from behind
- Dangerous Propel that hits a player above the knee
NOTE: All time-serving penalties are not releasable.
Walling
Defense players crowding in front of their goal or forming a stack/wall formation in front of their goal – not within a stick's length of an opponent.
Comparable to double shooting space. Modification for players 14 and under: use one player for walling criteria.
Over and Back
Once a ball is in a team's offensive half of the field it cannot return to the defensive half of the field through actions of the offensive team.
Offensive player may bat the ball to keep it in offensive zone.
If the ball does touch or cross center line, there is an immediate change of possession and a quick restart for non-offending team.
No violation if off of a shot, loose ball last touched by defense or a loose ball that is leaving offensive zone and defense is called for a loose ball foul (play-on).
Game Setup and Other Rules
USA Lacrosse Modifications
Equipment Requirements:
- Eyewear that meets the current ASTM standard
Playing Rules:
- Horizontal stick is illegal
- Walling at U14 and below - one player is considered walling
- Stick checks before games
The Field
35-55 yards wide × 55-75 yards long
Equipment
Field Players:
Mouthguard mandatory, eyewear mandatory and all other equipment is optional
Goalkeeper (GK):
Mouthguard, helmet w/ facemask and chinstrap, throat guard, ND200 chest protector, cup mandatory. Goalies must wear thigh protection. For play 14 and under, shin guards are required for the goalie.
Crosses/Sticks:
- Same as field lacrosse and pockets must be checked before the start of the game.
Personnel
- Team: Up to 14 players total on roster with a minimum of 1 GK
- Must have 6 (including GK) to start a game
- 5 field players and 1 GK per team on the field
- GK required on the field at all times (GK may not cross the center line)
Timing
- Four 8-minute quarters: Running time (change ends each quarter)
- 2-minute break between 1st and 2nd quarter and 3rd and 4th quarter
- 4-minute halftime between 2nd and 3rd quarter
Sudden Victory Overtime:
- 4 minutes of stopped time until a goal is scored
- 2-minute break between periods
Shot Clock
30-second shot clock shall start when a team gains possession
Resets when:
- The shot hits the GK (within the crease) or pipe
- Restarting after officials assess a time-serving penalty
- Change of possession
- After a goal is scored
- Stopped play for a defensive injury
- The end of a quarter unless possession is retained due to an extra player situation
- Any loose ball technical foul by the defense
Recommended Age Modifications:
| Age Group | Shot Clock | Ball Over Midfield |
|---|---|---|
| 5th, 6th (8U, 10U) | 30 second | No count |
| 7th, 8th (12U, 14U) | 30 second | 10 second |
| High School | 30 second | 10 second |
Starts and Restarts
- Each quarter and overtime period will begin with a draw at the center of the field
- Except when last quarter ended with an extra player situation, the team who ended the period with possession will be awarded possession at the same relative position on field to start next quarter
- Play starts and stops on an official's whistle (NO SELF STARTS)
- All players must be at least 2 meters away for free positions
- "Penalty Dot" area near the midfield line is used to start play after the administration of time-serving penalties
- Following a goal: the GK must retrieve the ball within 5 seconds; the official whistles the start and the GK has 5 seconds to clear the ball out of their crease
Source: USA Lacrosse Sixes Rules (PDF)