The tournament will follow NCAA rules except as modified below;

  1. 1.NCAA Stick head rules will not be enforced at any level.

  2. 2.Team Certifications: All Coaches will be required to check-in at the Registration Tent at least 45 minutes prior to the start of their first game to certify their teams, pick up a final game schedules, pick-up head coaches gift bag, receive any last minute changes and sign the Coaches Code of Conduct.

  3. 3.Roster Size: All teams 3/4 grade and older, must have a minimum of 16 players. 10 player min. for 1/2 grade squads.

  4. 4.Field Players For Age Groups: 3/4 and up will play 10 v 10 with a goalie. 1/2 will play 7 v 7 (no goalies).

  5. 5.Length of Game: All games will consist of two, 20 minute running-time halves, with a 5-minute halftime. Time will be kept on the field by the lead official.  A central horn may be blown to indicate the start of every game in order to ensure that the day stays on time. But the game officially starts with the official. Two-minutes prior to the end of each half, the lead official will warn the coaches that the half is near.  Sudden Death Overtime in semi-final and Championship games ONLY. There are no timeouts in overtime. Games are scheduled every 55 minutes allowing teams 5-10 minutes of warm ups on the game fields.

  6. 6.Substitutions: Substitutions will be done on the fly except for penalties. Substitution for penalties should be on the whistle and on the fly with delay of game strictly enforced for any substitution on the whistle that takes longer than ten seconds. 1/2 and 3/4 play will be stopped every 4 minutes for a player change - play will resume with a face off. Players at this level may be substituted on the fly, one at a time.

  7. 7.Advantage Rule:  Only applies to youth divisions – 5/6 grade division and under.  A five-goal rule will be used for all games.  As long as a team has a five-goal lead, the opposing team will have the option to receive the ball at the centerline following the goal or facing off. All coaches are requested to take appropriate steps to manage the total goals scored by their teams in a blowout situation.

  8. 8.Counts:  New NCAA counts will apply to 7/8 grade and HS divisions only (30 second to get in offensive box).  Only 4 second goalie counts apply to 3/4 and 5/6. No counts in 1/2.

  9. 9.Body checking: Normal man-ball body checking is in effect for 5/6 - HS. There is no boby checking in 1/2 and 3/4.  No take out checks are permitted by any player at any level.  DEFINITION - A takeout check occurs when a player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to take out (put on the ground) the other player with no regard for the ball.

  10. 10.Stick Checking: Controlled one-handed checking is allowed for 7/8 grade and HS divisions only. As a Point of Emphasis, however, officials will be directed to call such checks closely, watching for stick control and off-hand activity. Any stick contact with the helmet including “the brush” shall be considered slashing. ANY check on a “FREE” hand is considered a slash.

  11. 11.Offensive Stalling: The team that is leading the game must keep the ball in its attack area during the last two-minutes of the game. This rule applies to all division except, 1/2.

  12. 12.Time Serving Penalties – Due to running time, all penalties will be time and a half. No time will be served for 1/2 and 3/4 - only a change of possession. However, players committing personal foals will need to be replaced.

  13. 13.Team time-outs: No time outs are allowed during pool games. However, during Semi-final and Championship games - Each team may take one 30-second time out per half. No time-outs will be permitted in the last two (2) minutes of the game. The game clock will continue to run during these Team time-outs and any Official time-outs.

  14. 14.Game Balls: Each team is responsible for balls on their offensive end-line.  Each head coach will be given at least (6) six balls at check-in.  Additionally, a good plan would be to have each player bring 2 balls in their bag so that your team has enough balls for the tournament.

  15. 15.Code of Conduct Violations: In addition to the NCAA rules, any player, coach or anyone associated with the team who violates the Code of Conduct will be subject to a Warning, Ejection from a Game or Ejection from the Tournament depending on the severity of the infraction. An ejection of a coach also results in the offending team being given a two minute, unreleasable penalty.  Any player or coach ejected from a game will not be allowed to participate in the next scheduled game. Any coach or player ejected a second time will not be allowed to participate in any remaining games in the tournament.

  16. 16.Number of Coaches on a Sideline: Each team will limit the number of coaches in the bench area to three, a Head Coach and 2 Assistant Coaches. At the 1/2 level, one coach is allowed on the field.

  17. 17.Game scores: Each team will need to have one volunteer per game man the scoring table for scoring and penalty keeping.  After each game, the volunteer of the winning team is required to make note of the game score in the Field Book AND report the game score to the Tournament HQ Tent vie the two-way radio provided at the table.  For playoff seeding - A win will be given three (3) points, a tie will be given one (1) point and a loss will be given zero points.  Additionally, shutouts will be given one (1) point to help differentiate top teams. All standings will be posted near the Tournament HQ TV monitor.  See below for ties rules/clarification. PLEASE NOTE: It is the coach’s responsibility to check with the Tournament HQ Tent at the completion of their game schedule to determine if they qualify for any playoff games.

  18. 18.Awards for each Division:  Each Championship team will be recognized at the Tournament HQ tent and be pictured  with the “Cup”.

  19. 19.Championship Seeding: Playoff seeding is based on the following in order;

    1. 1.Overall Record

    2. 2.Total Points - 3 points per win, 1 point per tie and 1 point for a shutout

    3. 3.Head to Head competition

    4. 4.Fewest goals allowed in all games

    5. 5.Goal differential in all games

    6. 6.Coin Toss

  20. 20.Games by Age Group

    1. o1/2 - 3 games plus Championship

    2. o3/4 - 3 games plus Championship

    3. o5/6 B, 7/8 B - 4 games plus Championship

    4. o5/6 A, 7/8 A - 4 games plus Championship

    5. o5/6, 7/8 Elite - 4 games plus Semi n Championship

    6. oJV - 4 games plus Championship

    7. oVarsity A - 4 games plus Semi n Championship

  21. 21.Water: Teams are encouraged to bring their own water.  The tournament WILL NOT provide public water jugs in the bench areas.  Sports drinks and bottled water will be available to purchase at the concession stand.  However, teams may bring their own refreshments if desired.

  22. 22.Clean up of bench areas after games: Each coach is requested to ensure that the bench area is picked-up after each game. Trashcans are available near bench areas and trash bags, if needed, are available in the Tournament HQ Tent. If you see a full trashcan, please notify a tournament worker who will all be dressed in a Staff T-Shirt.

  23. 23.Resolution of problems or disputes: The Tournament Director (in consultation with the Head Official, if required) will make all final rulings/decisions on any and all problems or disputes.


Additional Information:

  1. No player may compete for multiple teams in the same division (such as 2 ‘B’ division teams) or those teams will be subject to disqualification. However, a player MAY play on two teams in different divisions (such as on a 7/8 Elite and 7/8 A team).  High School JV players are allowed to swing up to play on their Varsity squad.

  2. Disqualified teams must play their scheduled games but will receive 0 points and tallied as a loss.

  3. NO DOGS ARE ALLOWED ON 5 STAR PARK! Please communicate this to all of your parents. Exception - Seeing Eye dogs only.

  4. We reserve the right to shorten games or cancel games due to inclement weather.

  5. Spectators and team parents also need to respect the Officials and the Players. Bad behavior will not be tolerated.

  6. Play hard and Have Fun!


WEATHER POLICY

In the event of adverse weather or unplayable field conditions, the Dallas Lacrosse and the City of the Colony reserve the right to:

  1. •Reduce game time in order to catch up with schedule.

  2. •Finish games before inclement weather arrives, or to preserve field conditions.

  3. •Reschedule games, if possible.

  4. •Convert tournament to a 'Festival' format without playoffs or championships to provide a majority of the teams the opportunity to play as many games as possible.

  5. •In the event of weather, we will post updates on the website in addition to our text messaging system.  However, weather conditions can change rapidly and all teams should be prepared to play as soon as weather clears and fields are playable.  

  6. •If thunder or lightning is observed within 5 miles of Five Star Park, play will suspended immediately and players and fans will be asked to leave the fields and vendor area. 

  7. •Under no circumstances will your team receive a full cash refund of the entry fee.


Delays During Games

If a game is in progress, the period will end immediately and the score will carry over after the delay.  If it is the second half, the game will be considered final and the score at that point will be recorded.  If it is the first half, when play resumes it will be the start of the second half.

We will make every attempt to play every minute of every game but we will not jeopardize the safety of any player.