ALL PLAYERS IN THE RAPTORS LACROSSE LEAGUE ARE SUBJECT TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS DEFINED BY THE NCAA MEN’S LACROSSE RULES AND RAPTORS LACROSSE RULES AS INTERPRETED BY THE OFFICIALS

*RAPTORS LACROSSE WILL NOT TOLERATE INTENTIONAL TAKE OUT BODY CHECKS OR SLASHING OF AN OPPONENT. INTENTIONAL TAKE OUT BODY CHECKS AND SLASHING PENALTIES MAY RESULT IN A DISQUALIFICATION PENALTY

The Game:

1.       The game is played by two teams consisting of 7 players each (on the field). A team that starts a game with fewer than 7 players, including those in the penalty area, shall forfeit the game by a score of 1-0. Should a team not appear for a game, that result shall be registered as "no contest" rather than a forfeit.

2.       Any team who forfeits twice in one season will not qualify for the play-offs.

Teams:  

1.       Teams shall consist of a minimum of 14 players per roster.

2.       All players must be fully registered. Fully registered player is required to have submitted the completed application form listing his information, parent’s signature and proof of payment.

3.       A team must have a minimum of 7 players to begin a game. Only registered players on the official team roster can participate in the game with the exception of the goalkeeper. A goalkeeper from another team may substitute for the goalkeeper. (The goalkeeper must be of the same age group as the two contesting teams. An older player is not acceptable.)

4.       All teams are required to have a coach on the bench at all times. Coaches must be at least 21 years of age complete and submit the required information card to Raptors Lacrosse. Coaches must also submit an identification card when requested by the game officials and or the management of Raptors Lacrosse. Player coaches are not acceptable. No coach - No Game!

Team Play:

1.       7 players are allowed on the playing surface including, 2 midfield men, 2 attackmen, 2 long pole defensemen and one goalie.

2.       A registered coach must be on the bench during game play.

3.       All players are required to wear the proper protective equipment as by NCAA regulations including, a helmet, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads, and a mouth guard. Goalies are required to wear a chest protector throat guard and proper athletic protector. (cup) Goalies may at their discretion wear approved leg protection. (Helmets must meet the requirements of NOCSAE)

4.       Substitution of players will be made on the fly or during any stoppage in play.

5.       All sticks must meet NCAA rules and regulations regarding the dimensions of the shaft, head and pocket.

Time Factors:

1.       Regulation time of a game will be fifty minutes, divided into two, twenty-five minute running halves.

2.       There may  be up to a 5-minute interval at half time.

3.       Each team is entitled to 1, thirty-second time out per game.

4.       In the event of a tie at the end of regulation game play, there will be one, two minute sudden victory period. Should neither team score, the game will be determined a draw.

Play of the Game:

1.       Play will be started at the beginning of each half only with a face-off.

2.       The opposing team will obtain possession of the ball after a goal is scored.

3.       Out of bounds will occur only if the ball leaves the playing area, strikes either a player on the bench, the ceiling or gets caught up in the netting above the glass. The ball shall be awarded to the closest player of the opposing team who is ready to immediately resume play from the point where the ball was declared out of bounds.

Offside:

1.       A team is considered offside when it has fewer than three men in its defensive area. NCAA rules regarding offside are to be enforced by the officials.

Goalkeeper - Privileges:

1.       No opposing player may make contact with the goalkeeper in any manner with his cross or body when the goalkeeper is within the crease.

Clearing the Defensive Zone:

1.       The defending team will have 10 seconds to clear the ball beyond the half field line. Failure to clear the ball will result in the loss of possession.

2.       Goalkeepers will have 4 seconds to clear the ball when standing in the goal crease.

Playing Rules and Regulations

Section One, Sportsmanship and Taunting:

1.       Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, athletes or spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is conduct that berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race, gender, ethnic origin or background, and conduct that attacks religious beliefs, size economic status, family, special needs, or personal characteristics.

2.       Examples of taunting include but are not limited to: "trash talk", defined as verbal communications of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation or lack of success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including "in the face" confrontation by one athlete to another, standing over/ straddling a tackled or fallen player.

3.       Raptors’ Officials are to consider taunting a flagrant unsportsmanlike offense that disqualifies the offending bench personnel or player from that game. In addition, the offender shall be subject to all existing Raptors Lacrosse disqualification and or expulsion rules. Disqualified and expelled players will not be eligible for refunds.

4.       Raptors Lacrosse Officials and Management reserve the right to remove any player, coach, or spectator from the premises who violates the taunting rules.

Personal and Expulsion Fouls:

1.       Intentional Boarding/Sidelines: Any player who intentionally checks his opponent into the boards or out of bounds will be accessed a 2-minute non-releasable penalty, plus a 5 minute misconduct penalty.

2.       Intentional Slashing: Any player who intentionally slashes his opponent shall be accessed a 2 minute non-releasable penalty, plus a 5 minute misconduct penalty.

3.       Any player who receives two misconduct penalties in one game shall be suspended for the following game.

4.       Any player who receives a third misconduct penalty shall be suspended from the league. No refunds will be issued for players who are suspended for rules violations.

5.       Any player participating in a fight or other action deemed flagrant misconduct will be accessed a 5 minute non-releasable penalty, a two game misconduct and must appear before the Raptors Board of Officials for review prior to reinstatement to his team.

6.       Chewing Tobacco is not allowed on the premises or in the building. Any player caught chewing tobacco will be removed from the premises.

7.       Drugs and Alcohol are not allowed on the premises or in the building. Any player caught with drugs or alcohol will be reported to the proper authorities and permanently expelled from the Raptors Lacrosse League.

Weather Cancellations:

1.       Due to the limited availability of the facilities, we cannot provide make up games cancelled due to inclement weather. In the event of severe weather please check the Raptors web-site or call our Raptors Weather Information Line the morning of the scheduled game at 978-439-5003.