Rules
2019 Lehigh Laxfest Tournament Rules
GENERAL 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.
• Teams must be available for all games. Please remember that many teams travel great distances for this event expecting to play a minimum of 4 games, and we rely on your professionalism to hold that commitment.
• Referees are in charge of each individual field during gameplay, and may use their discretion to override a tournament rule if he feels necessary to do so. They have final say.
GAME PLAY:
• Games consist of two 19-minute halves, and a 2 minute halftime.
• There are no time outs.
• Game times are kept at tournament HQ using an airhorn system.
o One long airhorn blasts is used to start and stop each half
o Two short airhorn blasts signals 2-minutes remaining (used in 2nd half only).
• Tie games will be settled with a “braveheart” competition, unless it is a playoff game.
o Braveheart: Each team fields 2 players and 1 goalie, starting with a faceoff. Only 2 players per team areallowed on the offensive side of the midfield line. Goalies can cross if a middie stays back. NO substitutions.
o SEMI-FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES: Settled 10v10, first goal wins. Not Braveheart.
YOUTH SPECIFIC RULES
• Modified US Lacrosse rules. No clearing counts, no over-and-back.
• No one-handed checks. No body checking.
• A mercy rule is in effect if one team has a lead of 8 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. Winning team keep it in the box last 2 minutes
• A mercy rule is in effect if one team has a lead of 8 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 play stops in the first half of a game, the game resumes with the beginning of the 2nd half.
o If play stops in the 2nd half of a game, the game ends immediately. The team in the lead gets the win. If tied, a braveheart takes place when play resumes.
o If the delay is substantial, Tournament HQ may decide to shorten some games until the event is back on-time.