Rules

A central horn will be used to start and stop games. Teams are urged to be ready to play at the start of the horn. Each game will be (2) 20 minute haves with a 5 minute half time.

All teams will play a minimum of four games with a running clock and half time. In events where we have playoffs (where a team may advance), overtime consists of a 3 v 3 game, rules listed below. Based on weather or daylight restrictions, games may be shortened based on the event director’s judgment.

No time outs permitted in either pool play or tournament play.

FREE MOVEMENT FOR ALL AGES! All Top Threat Tournaments follow US Lacrosse “Official Rules for girls’ with modifications based on “US Lacrosse Youth Rules and Best Practices: and US Lacrosse Tournament Standards and the following modifications:

High School divisions play USLacrosse rules.

Middle School divisions are full checking (US Lacrosse Level FC)

-No four goal differential (mercy) rule in effect.

Due to the running clock, A GAME/HALF MAY NOT END ON A DEFENSIVE PENALTY. In the event of a defensive penalty within the CSA resulting in an expired clock, play will resume on the official’s whistle. Trail Official will count :03 Seconds of play from point of Free Position at the whistle. During the :03 seconds, regular game rules exist, including the potential for another defensive foul, pass, a shot or a goal.

Pregame stick checks and captain’s meetings will NOT be performed. Officials can perform random stick checks at their discretion.
Alternate possession – the team listed first on the schedule receives the first alternate possessions.
- After initial possession is awarded, the possession will then alternate
Yellow and Red Cards will be in effect.
- 1 yellow card – player must sit out for 2 minutes, running clock
- 2 yellow cards – player must sit out remaining of game, but can play next game
- Red Card (Player) – player must sit out the remainder of the game and the next game
- Red Card (Coach) – coach is required to leave for remainder of the game
Teams in need of substitute players, may use players in their club from a younger age group or lower level of play ranked team. Ex. 2028 player is permitted to play in a 2027 game, but a 2028 player is not permitted to play in a 2029 game. A 2028 player from a clubs A team is not permitted to play on a 2028 B team. A player from 2028 B team is permitted to play on a 2028 A team. Goalies can be an exception but the club director or coach must reach out to the tournament director in advance for approval. If substitute players are needed, the number of players added is not allowed to exceed a roster of 14 total players for the team in need. Failure to comply will result in forfeit of the game.

YOUTH SPECIFIC RULES

Youth divisions will play 8 v 8 with no checking and 3 second rule as defined by US Lacrosse for good defense. One pass rule is NOT in effect. We suggest a maximum roster size of 12 and retain the right to limit roster size at our discretion.

8v8 (7 field players + 1 goalie) format
The lineup is 2 Attack, 3 Middies, 2 Defenders
Time-outs will not be permitted unless there is an injury. At the referee’s discretion, up to 2 minutes may be added due to injury loss of time.
All players are midfield and there are no off sides. Draws will be taken after goals.
A central horn will start and end all games.
Current US Lacrosse Rules will apply.
8 Meter free positions will be played out if foul occurs before time expires (at half or end of the game)
Any player that receives a red card will be required to sit out for the remainder of game and the next game
Coaches are permitted to call 1 stick check per game, not in the last 5 minutes.

PLAYOFF PROCEDURES

Based on the round robin play results, there may be a tie in points earned. In order to break a tie, the following criteria will be used:

Head to Head
Goals against
Goal differential-max of 9
Random Drawing or Coin Flip
If there are any forfeits, the average goals against in actual scheduled games played will be added to the total goals (max of 9) against the team that won by forfeit. Forfeits count as an automatic win for the team that has not forfeited.

Play off games that are tied at the end of regulation will go to a 3 v 3 sudden victory game, max 3 minutes in length. If teams are still tied after the 3 minutes, a coin toss will determine the winner.

Three Players from each team are selected
Game begins with a DRAW
First Goal Wins – Sudden Victory
No substitutions are permitted
In the event of a yellow card, the team awarded the card must play short.
If a player becomes injured as a result of normal play or a foul, substitution will be allowed
Goalies may not go beyond their restraining line.
No timeouts are permitted

Scoring System to Determine Winner:

Win = 3 Points
Tie = 1 Points
Loss = 0 Points

COACHING / DISPUTES & PROTESTS

All coaches have complete responsibility for the conduct of their players, substitutes and spectators at all times. Coaching from the sidelines (giving direction to one’s own team on points of strategy and position) is encouraged, providing:

Each coach or substitute remains on their own half of the field between the substitution area and the restraining line.
No coach, substitute or spectator makes derogatory remarks or gestures to the umpires, other coaches, players, substitutes, or spectators.
No coach, substitute, or spectator uses profanity, participates in or incites any manner or disruptive behavior.
Officials have the right to stop a game at any time and to eject a coach based on their behavior, and the behavior of fans or players.
All ejections will be at the discretion of the tournament directors and their decision will be final

Club team directors or head coaches may report disputes to the event directors. All disputes will be settled by the Event Director(s) or his/her designee. Game appeals may only be submitted on the misapplication of rules. Judgment calls, including goal timing, is not a misapplication of the rules and therefore may not be challenged. The Event Director’s ruling will be final.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY

Mother nature is out of control of tournament directors, officials, and on-site managers. Safety is our priority! Teams should report to their cars, or under cover if thunder and/or lightning causes a stoppage in play. All fields will be cleared. Game lengths may be modified if make-up games are deemed necessary.

We will play rain or shine unless you are notified otherwise.
In case of thunder/lightning, all games will be suspended for 30 minutes from the last occurrence. Fields will be cleared by sounding an air horn (three long blasts).
Once safe to return to play, games will resume at their regularly scheduled time (For tournaments that have play-offs, game scores will be officially recorded if 1 half of play is completed. If games are not played they will be recorded as ties)
Schedule may be modified if necessary due to inclement weather, darkness, or poor field conditions. Teams are responsible for reporting for all make-up games as deemed by the event director. Failure to make-up previously scheduled games is grounds for forfeiture.
Cancellation of the games is at the discretion of site managers, tournament directors and officials. Keeping everyone safe is our first concern.

CANCELATION POLICY

Tournament deposits for teams are non-refundable. If the tournament is canceled or postponed due to public health reasons, the tournament fee minus the deposit will be offered as credit towards a future event. No refunds will be made in the event of cancelation or shortening of any matches due to inclement weather or unforeseeable circumstances out of the control of the organization that does not relate to the current public health crisis. We will make every effort to use contingency plans to maximize gameplay for all teams.

Southern Lacrosse Showdown

RULES