Rules

2023 FALL FINALE CLASSIC TOURNAMENT RULES:

•        Mouthguards, must be worn at all times

•        Players may only compete for one team during the event

•        All penalties are 1 minute, as games are in “running-time”.  Officials can extend penalties beyond 1 minute if warranted.

•        Penalties begin on the referee’s re-start.

•        Any fighting or flagrant disrespect towards an official will result in expulsion for the remainder of the tournament.  No exceptions, no refunds.

•        Referees are in charge of each individual field during gameplay, and may use their discretion to make appropriate calls.  They have final say.

•        Parents are expected to respect the official’s calls on the field and are NOT to be engaged by any parent.  Tournament HQ may expel a parent from the event based on this.  Please honor the game!

GAME PLAY:

•        Games consist of two 19-minute halves, and a 2-minute halftime, unless otherwise indicated.

•        Coaches may take 1 time out, 60 seconds in length, in the FIRST HALF ONLY.  Clock runs on a timeout.  No timeouts will be granted in the 2nd half.

•        Games will start and end via a central horn from Tournament HQ.  Referees maintain the time in each half and halftime on each individual field.

•        Tie games will end in a tie.  There are no overtime periods.  An exception is a playoff or championship game, which will be 10v10 sudden victory.  In this case, regulation play will end on a horn.  And OT will restart as a new “quarter” as quickly as both teams can line up.  NO timeouts are allowed in the OT period.  

YOUTH SPECIFIC RULES

•        US Lacrosse rules.  No counts for 2030 and below (exception 4-second goalie count IS in effect).

•        A mercy rule is in effect if one team has a lead of 6 or more goals.  In this situation, the team trailing has the choice of starting with a free clear, or a faceoff.

•        Rules of play default to US Lacrosse in the case of any question not specified here

HIGH SCHOOL SPECIFIC RULES

•        NFHS clearing rules are in effect.

•        A mercy rule is in effect if one tea has a lead of 6 or more goals.  In this situation, the team trailing has the choice of starting with a free clear, or a faceoff.

INCLEMENT WEATHER RULES

•        There are no rain dates for this event.  Assume that games will be played on their scheduled dates.

•        If inclement weather causes a game stoppage (i.e. lightning), the following rules apply:

o   Play will stop until the head official deems conditions are safe to resume play

o   If games were in the 1st half when play halted, the restart will begin with the start of the 2nd half.

o   If games were in the 2nd half when play halted, the restart will begin with the time remaining when play halted.

o   This criteria is a guideline and may be altered by HQ depending on the length of the weather delay.

TIE-BREAKER CRITERIA:

1.      Head-To-Head (if applicable)

2.      Goals AGAINST (don’t get scored on)

3.      Goal differential

4.      Strength of schedule (records of teams played in this tournament prior to tie-breaking scenario)

We use goals against as our first “non head-to-head” tiebreaker do disincentivize “running up the score” in a blowout game.