NXT

2024
MID-ATLANTIC SPRING LEAGUE RULES
**All Players must complete the online player waiver prior to participation.
Mouthguards must be worn at all times along with appropriate equipment. **

MODIFICATIONS / REFEREE NOTICE
US Lacrosse/ NFHS rules with the following modifications and/or points of
emphasis. Games will be played with running quarters.
*See ‘Counts’ (only a 20 second clear count; 2028-31’s) and ‘Checking’ (one-
handed stick checks allowed at all ages.
Eye Black is allowed. Visors are allowed.

ROSTER REGULATIONS
No player can compete on more than one team within the same age group or
grad year for a different club. A player rostered on a “AA” team cannot participate
on a “A” team, but a “A” rostered player can compete in the “AA” division, within
the same club. Limited age exceptions can be made in advance at the discretion
of tournament directors. No limit to roster size.

SAFETY
In the event of inclement weather or extreme temperature, our Director of Health
and Participant Safety may recommend modifications to game time for safety
reasons. **No crease dives**

GAME FORMAT
We will play four 12-minute quarters with 1 minute between each quarter, and a
3-minute halftime.
Mid-Atlan+c Spring League Rules 2

PENALTIES
Penalties are running time starting on the whistle (normal time). Penalty time
stops during injuries, time-outs, between quarters and halves, and while another
penalty is being assessed. Penalties will not be time and a half.

STICK LENGTH
2032’s & 2033’s, see US Lacrosse Guidelines; we recommend you follow.

CHECKING
Limited body checking. Big hits & physical play (even within three yards of a loose
ball) constitute unnecessary roughness. (1 min penalty). One-handed stick checks
(if landed appropriately) are allowed at all age groups.

COUNTS
2028-2031: Clearing Counts of 20 seconds to cross the midline, ball must be over
the midfield line after the 20 second count. There will NOT be a 10 second count
to advance the ball into the box.
**NO Counts: 2032’s & 2033’s – Exception is a 4-sec goalie count** Over and back
rules are in effect
Stalling – Referee discretion if a team is stalling. If a stalling call has been initiated
by the referees, the team has 30 seconds to either score, hit the goalie or the
pipes with a shot.

FACEOFFS
All ages following US Lacrosse and NFHS rulebooks.
**“Down, Set, Whistle.” No Motogrip, no Knee Down. The ball must be moved,
raked, or directed immediately. Immediately is defined as within one step. Faceoff
sticks require tape of a different color than your shaft and gloves at the top six
inches of your shaft, below the head. **

TIMEOUTS
One (1-minute) time-out per game including playoffs. The game clock will stop
during a time out. There are no timeouts in overtime except in the playoffs and
championship game. See below for additional timeout and overtime info.

OVERTIME
Pool Play Overtime – There is a one 4-minute sudden victory overtime period in
pool play (regular season). Each team will receive 1 point if a deciding goal is not
scored. NO TIMEOUTS.
Playoff Overtime – In the event of a tie in the playoffs, overtime will consist of
unlimited 8-minute overtimes. TIMEOUTS STOP CLOCK (30 seconds), one timeout
per overtime period per team.
Championship Overtime – Championship game will consist of unlimited 8-minute
periods until a goal is scored. TIMEOUTS STOP CLOCK (1-minute), one timeout per
overtime period per team.

MERCY RULE
Applied when there is a (7) goal deficit in pool play. Teams down by (7) or more
goals will get a free clear after each goal. Coaches can agree to waive this rule.
No Mercy Rule in the playoffs.

FORFEIT
In the event of a forfeit, the winning team will be awarded 7 goals in reference to
the 7-goal max differential.

OFFICIAL SCORE
Will be kept by the field coordinator. Post-game the field coordinator will certify
the official score with both coaches and officials. Once scores are certified &
reported they may not be challenged. If a dispute arises, please have club director
contact the tournament director.

PLAYOFF SEEDS
Teams will be seeded according to their overall record based on points; teams
receive 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie. If two teams are tied on points after
the pool play the following tie- breakers will be used:
1. Head-to-Head,
2. Goal differential (max 7 per game +/-)
3. Goals against
4. Coin flip.

In the event of a 3+ team tie, the tiebreaker process starts at step 2. Once a team
is selected as winning the 3+ team tiebreaker, the tie breaking process restarts at
step 2 until 2 teams remain. The process starts at step 1 once 2 teams are
remaining.

SPORTSMANSHIP
If a player leaves the sideline to get involved in an on the field altercation, or a
player on the field runs from the opposite end crossing the midfield, that player is
automatically ejected from the game. The player may also be removed from the
league/tournament. The offending team may have to forfeit the game at the
discretion of the tournament director. In the event that both teams have players
exhibiting this behavior the game may be called and both teams will have the
game recorded as a loss. The offending team or teams also may render
themselves ineligible for the playoffs. The coaches and officials are expected to
protect and promote the safety and well-being of all players.

NO TOLERANCE POLICY
Alcohol, drugs, discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexual
orientation by players, coaches, or fans. If a player, coach, or fan are proven to be
in violation of this, the result will be an immediate ejection from the tournament
venue.

REFEREES
Refs can stop the game for any reason that he/she feels fit.

ISSUES OR CONCERNS
Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors.