Please refer back to this page for updated rules 

***Program Participation and Release Rules (New & Changing Programs)***

There is no requirement for new players to participate in any specific program regardless of location.  New players may choose any program/location that suits them.   However, the league has determined that it is in the best interest of the league and their programs that players that start with a program (HOME PROGRAM) remain with that program for their youth experience.  Players moving to other programs because of travel coaches, or other reasons will lead to recruiting in the recreation league which is specifically forbidden.   Should the player's family move to a new town that warrants the change of program, the player is required to request and receive a release from the original (HOME) program.   All SFYLL programs are required to confirm release from the HOME program prior to registering a player from another SFYLL program.    Should a new program form in your home town that was not in existence previously, residents of the new town program will have the option to stay with their current program or move to the new program in their town of residence without the required release.   Once players move they will NOT be allowed to return to their previous program without a release from their new home program.

2023 Season 

Age groups

US LACROSSE AGE GROUP CHART

6U Born after 8/31/16

8U Born between 9/1/14 and 8/31/16

10U Born between 9/1/12 and 8/31/14

12U Born between 9/1/10 and 8/31/12

14U Born between 9/1/08 and 8/31/10

For 2023 for GIRLS

14U - Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)

12U - Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)

10U - Full field 12 v 12 (standard field with standard cage)

8U - 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)

6U - 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage) - hector

For 2023 for BOYS

14U - Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)

12U - Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)

10U - Full field 10 v 10 (standard field with standard cage)

8U - 7 v 7 with goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage)

6U - 5 v 5 no goalie (7 v 7 field with standard cage) - hector

 All of our rules are based off the US Lacrosse/National Federation of State High School Associations book.      
 http://www.uslacrosse.org/rules/girls-rules

Girls Youth Field Markings:  USL Girl's Youth Lacrosse Guidebook 3rd edition p 22:  http://www.uslacrosse.org/sites/default/files/public/documents/rules/2017-girls-youth-rules.pdf

   The base rules are in the front of the book with any youth specific youth rules being identified in the Youth Section at the back.
   Any SFYLL adjustments or highlights will be stated separately and included on the Game Day Rules.
   All coaches, officials and administrators should have a copy of (and read) the 2023 Rule Books as well as the US Lacrosse Youth Rules and Best Practices Guidebooks. We did not rewrite the entire Rule Book.  It is up to the coaches to be knowledgeable about the specifics of the age group they coach. 
 

General Rules

• NO players who play on a high school team (freshman, JV or Varsity)
• “All youth registered with on organization and a member of that organizations team roster cannot be transferred to another organization’s team during the season or post season.” NVYLL, rule 1.2.4
• Programs wishing to play in the league must submit an application for admission with all details of the program and the host organization.  Consideration will be given to programs already in existence.
• Programs in the league are expected to use best efforts to grow their program to ultimately field at least 1 team at each division.
• No Play down at all in both Boys and Girls division.
• Players may play up 1 grade only if their program does not offer a team at their age group.  Teams that are unable to field a complete roster for games may allow players to play up to fill roster for games.
• When a program has more than 1 team at an age group, program organizers must have a mechanism in place to ensure that all skill levels are equally distributed throughout multiple teams in an age group. (No creation of “All Star” Teams).  A description of the method used to allocate players needs to be submitted to the league president prior to the start of game play each season.  
• Each Program should do all it can to hold a mandatory coaches meeting prior to the start of the season to review league rules, bylaws, etc. as well as go over what has been agreed upon by the SFYLL.
• Coaching on field:
   o 6U & 8U, Only One coach on field during play. Coach is not allowed to carry stick or wear lacrosse gloves while on field.
   o All other divisions, No coaches allowed on field during play.
• Absolutely, no blatant hitting, all hitting should be limited to the “One Step” rule.
• No lowering of the head or shoulder or running from long distances to make a hit.
• No one handed uncontrolled stick check
• No unnecessary roughness on ground balls,
• Players may not play on multiple teams within their program or in another program.  One team only per player.
• No tomahawk stick checks (these are the same as the one handed stick checks above)
• All Members of SFYLL must be members of US lacrosse. 

Scheduling

• There should be a Zero Tolerance policy for teams that do not show for games or cancel a game once the game is confirmed on the schedule.
• Each participating member of the SFYLL shall schedule a Home/Away game with other members to allow all members to play each other. This should be done prior to other games being schedule, thereby allowing each SFYLL team a chance to schedule each other.

Equipment Rules

• Stick Size, as adopted by US Lacrosse guidelines
   o 6U, 8U Max pole length is 42"
   o 10U Max. pole length is 52”
   o 12U, 14U Max pole length is 72”