Boys Lacrosse Rules | East Bay Lacrosse
East Bay Bristol County Lacrosse Association is a developmental lacrosse program for boys and girls in the East Bay area of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. We serve: Barrington, Bristol, Warren, Swansea, Somerset and Rehoboth.

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2023 BOYS YOUTH RULES COMPARISON 

                                    G 1/2                               G 3/4                             G 5/6                              G 7/8

Category 

6U/8U 

10U 

12U 

14U

Field Size 

L: 60-70 yds 

W: 35-45 yds (Cross-Field)

L: 60-70 yds 

W: 35-45 yds (Cross-Field) 

7v7 Cross-Field 10v10 Full Field 

Full Field

Crosse Length 

*no time-serving penalty at 8U/10U,  send off for correction

Field Players: 37"-42" 

Goalies: 37"-54" 

Long Poles: Not Permitted

Field Players: 37"-42" 

Goalies: 37"-54" 

Long Poles: 47"-54" (3 max)

Field Players: 40"-42" 

Goalies: 40"-72" 

Long Poles: 52"-72" (3 max for 7v7)

Field Players: 40"-42" 

Goalies: 40"-72" 

Long Poles: 52"-72"

Players 

4v4: 1Gk, 3 field players 

6v6 1 GK, 5 field players 

7v7: 1 GK, 6 field players

7v7: 1 GK, 2D, 2A, 2M 

10v10: NFHS 

10 v 10: NFHS

Goal Size 

3' x 3' or 6' x 6' 

6' x 6' 

6' x 6' 

6' x 6'

All Player Equipment 

Per NHFS Rulebook

Length of Game 

2 x 12' Running 4 x 10' Running 4 x 10' Stop-time 

4 x 10' Stop-time 

Score Differential: NFHS

Score Differential: NFHS 

Overtime 

N/A 

N/A 

Per Local League Guidelines 

4' Stop-time, Sudden Victory

Team Timeouts 

None. Officials only 

None. Officials only 

2 per Half, 1 each OT 

2 per Half, 1 each OT

Counts 

4-sec GK only; no advance 

4-sec GK only; no advance 

GK 4 + 20s Def + 10s Off. 

GK 4 + 20s Def + 10s Off.

Faceoffs

No FO; Coin flip winner Center-X. Others on own  def. half >5 yds from each  other. Other team ball start  2nd half

1 FO, 1 GK, 2 behind each GLE, 7v7 adds 1 Wing (foot on either SL), FO on knee is OK

7v7: 1 FO, 1 GK, 2 behind each GLE, 1 Wing (foot on either sideline), Standing Neutral Grip

Same as NFHS 

incl. Standing Neutral Grip

Substitutions 

NO "on-the-fly" 

NO "on-the-fly" 

NFHS 

NFHS

Loose Ball Scrum

After approximately 4- 

seconds w/3 or more  

players, award by AP

After approximately 4-seconds  w/3 or more players, award by AP 

N/A 

N/A

Advancing 

(20s count) 

N/A 

N/A 

20s to clear + 10s to get in box Over/Back if after Clear

20s to clear + 10s to get in box 

Over/Back if after Clear

Stalling 

N/A 

N/A 

10v10 only; see 14U 

Final 2m: Get it in, Keep it in 

If team i s ahead 1-4 goals

One Pass Rule

1 pass attempt after FO possession or restart after goal

1 pass attempt after FO 

possession 

N/A 

N/A

Man-up or 

Man-Down

N/A; player serves, team plays at full strength

N/A; player serves, teamplays at full strength 

Yes (3-down max) 

Yes (3-down max)

Offsides 

N/A

7v7 - >4 on off. or >5 on def. (Exclude penalty area; neverman down)

7v7 - >4 on off. or >5 on def. (Include penalty area)

> 6 players on off or > 7 players on def. (Include penalty area)

Allowable Body 

Contact (4.15) 

Legal Holds, Legal Pushes, Boxing Out, Riding, Incidental 

2 hands on crosse: Below neck and Above waist (See 3-yard rule)

Checking with  

Crosse (4.16)

Lift/poke bottom hand or head of crosse below chest area 

OR downward check initiated below BOTH players' shoulders, No one-handed 

2 hands on crosse (See 3-yard rule)

Fouling Out 

Personals = 3 fouls or 5 minutes accumulated

3-Yard Rule 

ALL LEGAL holds, pushes & checks must be on a player w/ possession or within 3 yds of loose ball

Delayed Penalty  

Enforcement

Flag Down, Slow Whistle – When the ball hits the ground (not on a shot), the slow whistle is terminated" for all age groups. A bounce shot would still continue to it’s natural conclusion.