Aloha Lacrosse Rules of Play

Rec Division Age Group Eligibility:

**All Players must complete the online player waiver prior to participation. Mouth guards (of any color/design) must be worn at all times along with appropriate equipment. **
All Aloha Tournament events are smoke free, pet free and alcohol-free events. No grills, generators, noisemakers, or air horns are allowed. Thank you for respecting our fans and players!
SAFETY
In the event of any inclement weather, extreme temperature, visibility issue and/or dangerous field conditions our directors may recommend modifications to game time for safety reasons.
GAME TIME:
Playing time will consist of 2 twenty-minute running time halves with a 2-minute halftime. Games will begin promptly.
One (1) 45 second timeout will be permitted in every game. The clock will stop for the timeout, and it may be called at any time during the game.
Pool Play Overtime – There is no overtime in pool play. Each team will receive 1 point.
Championship Overtime – Championship game will consist of unlimited 4-minute periods until a goal is scored. Each team will be awarded one time out and the clock will stop.

Boys Rules:
Games are running time unless the Tournament Director communicates otherwise.
All rules will be as established by the MYLA unless otherwise noted.
Penalties are running time starting on the whistle (30 or 60 Sec). 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.
The 4-goal rule will be in effect for all boys’ games at all times – if a team is leading by 4 or more goals, the faceoff will be eliminated, and the ball awarded to the trailing team at midfield. The only exception to this rule is to begin the second half.
Sticks in the 9U Boys divisions are limited to 36″ – 52″ in length.
Boys’ sticks must meet NFHS or NCAA standards.
FACEOFF RULES: No Motogrip, no Knee Down. Faceoff sticks require tape of a different color than your shaft.
Substitutions will be on the fly only, except on a time serving penalty. In that case the teams will have a quick substitution to get EMO or EMD on the field.
There will be no stick checks or requests by the opposing coaches. Sticks must meet either NCAA or NFHS standards.
No noise makers will be allowed at any field (horns, whistles, sirens, cowbells, etc.) Offenders will be asked to leave the field.
Any player, fan or coach ejected from a game will be prohibited from competing in/coaching/watching his/her team’s next game. If a player/coach/fan is ejected for a second time he/she will be disqualified from the tournament.
Fighting is an automatic ejection from the game and will be determined by the officiating crew of that game.
In the event of a forfeit, the winning team will be awarded 7 goals in reference to the 7 goal max differential. If a team forfeits a game, they will be ineligible for championship bracket play.
Official Scores 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 call a tournament director to the field. If a coach has concerns about the final score of a game, the coach should immediately bring the concern to the attention of the field coordinator and game referees prior to that score being reported to the tournament directors. Once reported, scores may not be challenged. Tournament Directors will only communicate with club directors and head coaches.
Over and Back rules in effect. After offensive team touches ball in offensive zone, ball cannot cross midline.
No shot clock will be in effect, Officials will issue a stalling warning if the winning team is stalling, a timer on call will be assessed and the team has 30 seconds to get a shot on goal.
Girls Rec Rules:
All rules will be as established by the MYLA unless otherwise noted.
Playing time will consist of 2 twenty-minute running time halves, with a 2 minute halftime.
Officials will keep score and control the time for these games. Games will start promptly. Teams should be ready to play.
Each team will receive one (1) 45-second time out with possession or after a goal, at which time the clock will stop. If a team does not return to the field in a prompt manner after the timeout, they will either lose possession of the ball or be assessed a delay of game penalty.
There will be no overtime. At the end of the game, if the whistle has already blown to stop play for a major foul in the arc, a free position will be set up on the 8-meter arc and one shot, no pass, no rebound play will be permitted. In this case only, if play is stopped by another major foul, the play will reset.
There will be no captains meeting or stick checks prior to the game. First alternate possession will go to the light-colored uniform team.
Forfeits will be considered a 4-1 victory for the team that is prepared to play.
9U
8 vs 8 (2 attack, 2 defense, 3 middies, 1 goalie)
The four-goal rule will be in effect – if a team is leading by 4 or more goals, the draw will be eliminated, and the ball awarded to the trailing team at midfield.
There will be a 2-pass requirement; resets at center line; goalie clear counts as a pass.
No stick checking as defined in Rule 13 pg. 71 NFHS Rulebook
The 3 second closely guarded rule will be in effect. *
Follow-through into the goal circle on shot is not permitted.
No kicking the ball in field of play.
No triple teaming permitted. Double teaming is okay,
11U, 13U
There will be modified checking below the shoulder.
The 3 second closely guarded rule will be in effect.*
No pass requirement.
The six-goal rule will be in effect – if a team is leading by 6 or more goals, the draw will be eliminated and the ball awarded to the trailing team at midfield.
Follow-through into goal circle on shot not permitted.
15U
There will be full checking permitted.
No pass requirement.
The six-goal rule will be in effect – if a team is leading by 6 or more goals, the draw will be eliminated, and the ball awarded to the trailing team at midfield.
* The 3 second closely guarded rule: If a defensive player is within a legal checking position (two hands on the stick in a way that could produce a legal check) of the player with the ball for 3 seconds, the whistle will be blown and the defensive player awarded the ball (minor foul).
All Levels
No deputy goalie allowed – no unprotected player is allowed in the goal circle at any time.
RULES OF PLAY GIRLS CLUB
All Aloha Tournament events are smoke free, pet free, and alcohol-free events. No grills, generators, noisemakers, or air horns are allowed. Thank you for respecting our fans and players!
Girls Field
2024 USA Lacrosse Women’s Rules will be used for ALL graduation years 2026-2035 with the following exceptions:
2031-2034 teams will play MODIFIED CHECKING
SAFETY
In the event of any inclement weather, extreme temperature, visibility issue and/or dangerous field conditions our Director of Health and Participant Safety may recommend modifications to game time for safety reasons.
GAME TIME
Playing time will consist of two (2) twenty-minute running time halves, with a 2-minute halftime. Running clock. No time outs.
PENALTIES
Yellow cards: If a yellow card is issued, it is a 2-minute NON-RELEASABLE penalty that begins once the player exits the field. If a penalty occurs immediately before the end of the 1st half, the penalty will continue into the second half until the full two minutes have been served. If two yellow cards are issued, a player is ineligible for the rest of the game. If a red card is issued, that player is removed from that game and the following game. If 4 yellow cards are issued to a single team in a single game, the offending team must play man-down for the remainder of the contest.
8-meter shot: If the game horn sounds before an 8 meter can be taken, the shot will be taken but play will end upon a Goalie save or a missed 8 meter. There will be no opportunity for a change in possession or rebound by either team.
SHOOTING:
2025-2028 The stick may enter the circle on the shot.
2029-2035: The stick MAY NOT enter the circle on the shot.
STICKS
There will be no stick checks prior to the start of a game. Coaches cannot request a stick check of an opposing player. All sticks must comply with NFHS and USA Lacrosse guidelines.
CHECKING
All Divisions participate in checking corresponding to USA Lacrosse and NFHS rules. *
2025-2028: Full Checking
2029: Transitional check in with option to full check if agreed upon by coaches.
2030: Transitional
2031-2025: Modified
*Special note for 2029 Division: This age group may do full-checking if both teams agree prior to playing; If both teams are playing with full-checking then all USL High School rules apply; If one team wants to play with modified checking, and one does not wish to play with full checking, then the modified checking rule will stand, and all USA Lacrosse U13 rules will stand.
TIMEOUTS: NO TIME OUTS.
OVERTIME
Pool Play Overtime – There will be no overtime in pool play. At the end of the game, if the whistle has already blown to stop play for a major foul in the arc, a free position will be set up on the 8 meter arc and one shot, no pass, no rebound play will be permitted. In this case only, if play is stopped by another major foul, the play will reset.
Championship Overtime – Championship game will consist of unlimited 3-minute periods until a goal is scored. Each team will be awarded one 30 second timeout and the clock will stop.
MERCY RULE
Applied when there is a (7) goal deficit in pool play in Youth Divisions only. Teams down by 7 or more goals will get a choice to have a free position at center after each goal. No draw will be done. If both coaches agree to waive the mercy rule, play will start with a draw as per USA Lacrosse rules.
FORFEIT
In the event of a forfeit, the winning team will be awarded 7 goals in reference to the 7-goal max differential. If a team forfeits a game, they will be ineligible for championship bracket play.
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 call a tournament director to the field. If a coach has concerns about the final score of a game, the coach should immediately bring the concern to the attention of the field coordinator and game referees prior to that score being reported to the tournament directors. Once reported, scores may not be challenged. Tournament Directors will only communicate with head coaches and/or club directors.
PLAYOFF SEEDS
Teams will be seeded according to their overall record based on points; teams receive 3 points for 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) Goals against
3) Goal differential (max 7 per game +/-)
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.
ROSTER REGULATIONS
No player can compete on more than one team within the same age group or grad year for a different club. Limited age exceptions can be made in advance at the discretion of tournament directors. No roster number limit.
INJURY
Delays of the game due to injury may result in shortened game times. All games must end prior to the next scheduled game on that field. Field coordinators should summon the trainer to the field in case of injury or emergency.
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 and the following 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. If 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. Any player, fan or coach ejected from a game will be prohibited from competing in/coaching/watching his/her team’s next game. If this happens a second time, said participant will be disqualified from the event. Ejections are determined by the referees, expulsions by the tournament directors.

NO TOLERANCE POLICY
Alcohol, drugs, discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation by players, coaches, or fans will not be tolerated. If a player, coach, or fan is proven to be in violation of this, the result will be an immediate ejection from the tournament venue at the discretion of the tournament director.
Roster Rules
No player may compete, or be rostered, on more than one team during the tournament.
No High School players are allowed on any team at any time. This includes Fresh/Soph, JV and Varsity players. Any team competing with High School players will forfeit all games in the tournament and will not be allowed to advance to the playoff rounds.
9U players must be born after August 31, 2015.
11U players must be born after August 31, 2013.
13U players must be born after August 31, 2011.
15U players must be born after August 31, 2009.
Placement on a grade based team ( 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, 2033, and 2034/2035) is dictated by the highest grade of any player on the team.
Any violation of the tournament roster rules will result in forfeiture of any games in which the ineligible player participated and may result in disqualification from the tournament.
Scoring
Points will be awarded after each game in the following manner:
3 points for a win
1 point for a tie
0 points for a loss
Playoff Seeds
1) Head-to-Head
2) Goals against
3) Goal differential (max 7 per game +/-)
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 process starts at step 1 once 2 teams are remaining.
One referee at each game will hold the scorecard for the game. At the end of each game the referee will record the official score and sign the scorecard. Any questions regarding the score should be addressed at this time. It is the coach’s responsibility to ensure that the correct score is recorded. The scorecard will be turned in at the Registration table at each field. Scores will be posted online at the end of the day.
No player can compete on more than one team within the same age group or grad year for a different club. Limited age exceptions can be made in advance at the discretion of tournament directors. No roster limit.
LIGHTNING SAFETY: Three (3) blasts of an air horn indicate LIGHTNING and all fields must be cleared IMMEDIATELY. Players and fans must go to the tournament’s designated safe shelter. Safe shelter is considered any fully enclosed building that involves plumbing and/or electrical wires that act to electrically ground the structure-places that people live or work. If such a shelter cannot be found, take shelter in any vehicle with a hard metal roof and closed windows. No outdoor activities are to be resumed until 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning/thunder or the all-clear email has been received. For every strike observed, the 30-minute timer is reset. Five (5) blasts means the field is now open and play can resume.
HOT WEATHER SAFETY: Tournament Director will monitor the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature. When indicated by the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, tournament game times will be modified to comply with current recommendations.
ISSUES OR CONCERNS
Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors and/or head coaches serving as deputy club directors on site.

WEATHER POLICY

In the event of adverse weather conditions, the tournament director reserves the right to:

• Reduce the game times in order to catch up with the schedule or cancel games as needed
• Finish games before inclement weather arrives or to preserve field conditions.
• Reschedule games, if possible.
• Convert tournament to a “Festival” format without playoffs or championships to provide the majority of the teams the opportunity to play as many games as possible.
• Every attempt will be made to update cancellations on the Aloha Tournaments website. However, weather conditions can change rapidly, and all teams should be prepared to play as soon as weather clears and fields are playable.

If thunder or lightning is observed at any location, play will be suspended immediately, and players and fans will be required to leave the field. Play will be allowed to resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or sight of lightning is observed.  If a game is in progress:

• The period will end immediately.
• If a game is in the second half of running time period the game will be considered final and the score at that point will be recorded.
• If a game is in the first half of running time when play resumes it will be the start of the second half of the running time period.
• Every attempt will be made to begin subsequent games on time. If the start of the second half of the suspended game delays the onset of the subsequent game the following actions will occur:
• The suspended game will play a 20 minute running time second half.

Subsequent games will begin immediately after the preceding games (teams will warm up on the sideline prior to the game). These games will consist of one 25 minute running time period until games are back on schedule.  Teams will have one 30 second timeout per game not to be used in the last two minutes of the  game (the clock will not stop during these timeouts).

• Once games are back on schedule, they will revert back to 25 minute running time periods.
• We will make every attempt to play every minute of every game, but we will not jeopardize the safety of any player.
• All games canceled due to weather will be considered a 4 – 2 win for both teams.

TOURNAMENT POLICIES 

All Aloha Tournament events are smoke free, pet free and alcohol free events. No grills, generators, drones, noisemakers or air horns are allowed.  Thank you for respecting our fans and players! 

CREDIT & REFUND POLICY** 

INVOLUNTARY CANCELLATION POLICY – WEATHER, FACILITY CLOSURE, COVID-19, ETC. 

Deposits are non-refundable for all Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse team events. Teams attending an Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse team event must pay an initial deposit with the full balance due in full 60 days prior to the event. If an event is involuntarily cancelled, teams paid in full will be offered a 90% credit or a 50% refund of their paid in full balance. Those teams not paid in full (deposit only or partial balance) will receive a 50% credit of the balance paid. Credits or refunds will be processed a minimum of 60 days after the event. Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse will not be responsible for any ancillary or related expenses incurred by any individual, team, club or organization if the tournament is canceled in whole or in part. 

VOLUNTARY CANCELLATION POLICY – TEAM CHOOSES TO WITHDRAW 

Deposits are non-refundable for all Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse team events. Teams attending an Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse team event must pay an initial deposit with the final balance due in full 60 days prior to the event. If a team that has paid in full wishes to withdraw and submits a request at least 60 days prior to the scheduled event date, Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse will issue a full credit less the initial deposit amount or a full refund less the initial deposit amount. No credit or refund requests of any kind will be granted if a cancelation is made less than 60 days prior to the scheduled event date. Credits or refunds will be processed a minimum of 60 days after the date of the request to withdraw. Aloha Tournaments Lacrosse will not be responsible for any ancillary or related expenses incurred by any individual, team, club or organization if the team wishes to withdraw in whole or in part. 

REFUND POLICY 

• No refunds will be issues for any team that is disqualified due to a violation of roster or tournament rules. 
• No refunds will be issued for games cancelled for forfeits, no shows, etc. 

• No refunds will be issued for games shortened or cancelled due to weather. 
• No refunds will be issued for playoff or championship games canceled due to weather.