2010 RIYLL Boys Rules

League play in the Rhode Island Youth Lacrosse League (RIYLL) conforms to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) 2010 Boys’ Lacrosse Rules as modified by the 2010 US Lacrosse Youth Council Rules (USLYC) Exceptions to the NFHS Rules, and as further modified by the RIYLL Modifications herein. Collectively, these shall be known as the 2010 RIYLL Boys Rules.

In order to guide officials, coaches, players, and parents in the proper application of the rules governing RIYLL league play, the USLYC Exceptions are set forth below in full. Where the RIYLL Modifications depart from or expand on the USLYC Exceptions or NFHS Rules, such are indicated in all caps, bold face. In the event of any conflict among the NFHS Rules, USLYC Exceptions, or RIYLL Modifications, the RIYLL Modifications shall control. 

USLYC Exceptions to the 2010 NHFS Rules

and RIYLL Modifications Thereto

The following rules are written by the US Lacrosse Youth Council as exceptions to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) 2010 Boys’ Lacrosse Rules. All rules not modified below are to be considered standard Youth rules for the 2010 lacrosse season. Those with questions about the US Lacrosse Rules for Boys’ Youth Lacrosse should contact the chairman of the US Lacrosse Youth Council Boys’ Youth Rules Committee, Chase Howse, at . Please do not contact NFHS about the following rules. 2010 changes indicated in red.

Age and Eligibility Guidelines

US Lacrosse establishes eligibility guidelines in order to promote the game of lacrosse among the youth of America in a safe and sportsmanlike environment. US Lacrosse believes that this goal can be best achieved by facilitating playing opportunities that seek to establish a "level playing field" among players of similar age, size and ability.

Age and Eligibility Guidelines are not considered "game-day rules" and are not enforced as game-day rules by officials. Specific age and eligibility requirements are established by the lacrosse league or association in which a team participates.

League and Association Play 
US Lacrosse recommends that leagues should be organized by age. Existing leagues or associations may maintain their current groupings. Physical and cognitive maturity should be considered when grouping players. If your program has enough players, physically disparate groups should play separately, if possible. US Lacrosse also recommends that players that have participated in any high-school level program as a member of a high school freshman, JV-B, junior varsity, or varsity team should not be considered eligible for U-15 competition.

The following are suggested groupings, with ages determined as of December 31st in the year preceding competition:

Middle School:


Senior Division: 15 and Under. May have competitive divisions grouped by ability.
Junior Division: 13 and Under. May have competitive divisions grouped by ability.

Note: Players 13 years old may have difficulty playing with 15 year old players.

Elementary School:


Lightning Division: 11 and Under. Non-competitive. It is recommended that when multiple teams exist within a program, teams should be balanced as to physical size.

Bantam Division: 9 and Under. Non-competitive. It is recommended that when multiple teams exist within a program, teams should be balanced as to physical size.

Examples, using the U-13 category:

1) A player is 12 years old on 12/31/09 and turns 13 on May 15, 2010. This player is qualified to participate.

2) A player is 13 years old on 12/31/09 and turns 14 on May 15, 2010. This player is NOT qualified to participate.

RIYLL YOUTH DIVISIONS

YOUTH PLAYERS WILL BE BOYS AGE 15 YEARS AND UNDER AND FURTHER QUALIFY AS FOLLOWS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN USLYC SANCTIONED YOUTH LACROSSE ACTIVITIES: (A) PLAYER HAS NOT ATTAINED 15 YEARS OF AGE AS OF DECEMBER 31 IN THE YEAR PRECEDING A USL YOUTH COUNCIL SANCTIONED EVENT; AND (B) THE PLAYER IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN ANY HIGH-SCHOOL PROGRAM AS A MEMBER OF A HIGH-SCHOOL CLUB, FRESHMEN, JUNIOR VARSITY, OR VARSITY TEAM. 

GRADE DIVISIONS

A. THERE ARE FOUR DIVISIONS.   TEAMS IN EACH DIVISION SHALL BE ORGANIZED BY GRADE. THE BOYS AND GIRLS WILL COMBINE THE FOLLOWING GRADES TOGETHER TO FORM EACH DIVISION: 1^ST/2^ND, 3^RD/4^TH, 5^TH/6^TH AND 7^TH/8^TH. PLAYERS IN 9^TH GRADE BUT UNDER AGE 15 (AS OF 1/1/2010) MAY PLAY IN THE 7^TH/8^TH GRADE DIVISION IF THEY ARE NOT PARTICIPATING ON A HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM AND/OR COMPETITIVE CLUB TEAM.                  

B. A PROGRAM MAY REQUEST AN EXCEPTION TO THE GRADE DIVISION FORMAT IF THEY BELIEVE A PLAYER WOULD BE BEST SERVED BY PARTICIPATING IN A DIVISION LOWER THAN THE ONE ASSIGNED.   EXCEPTIONS MUST BE MADE IN WRITING TO THE EXECUTIVE BOARD.   ANY EXCEPTIONS GRANTED TO THE GRADE DIVISION FORMAT ARE MADE BY THE EXECUTIVE BOARD AND ARE FOR ONE SEASON ONLY. IF A PLAYER RECEIVES AN EXCEPTION THEY MUST PLAY IN THEIR ASSIGNED DIVISION IN THE NEXT SEASON. PLAYERS WHOSE PARENT OR GUARDIAN BELIEVE A PLAYER WOULD BE BEST SERVED BY PARTICIPATING IN ONE DIVISION ABOVE THE ONE ASSIGNED NEED NOT OBTAIN AN EXCEPTION FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD, BUT SUCH DECISIONS SHOULD NOT BE MADE LIGHTLY AND SHOULD BE MADE BY THE PLAYER’S PARENT OR GUARDIAN WITH DUE REGARD FOR THE PLAYER’S SAFETY AND DEVELOPMENT.           

C. PLAYERS IN GRADE DIVISIONS WHO EXCEED THE FOLLOWING AGES MUST PLAY UP IN THE NEXT GRADE DIVISION:             

          * = PLAYER ATTENDS SCHOOL IN ONE OF THESE GRADES.            

SINCE THE RIYLL IS ORGANIZED BY GRADE, THE US LACROSSE RULES SHALL BE ALIGNED AS FOLLOWS:    

Format of this Section: Existing NFHSA Rule Section reference, followed by the corresponding USLYC rule section modification.

Rule 1 - The Game, Field & Equipment

NFHSA Rule 1, Section 1 — The Game
Lacrosse is played by two teams of 10 players each.

Number of Players - RULE 1 SECTION 1. 
10 players per side on the field, however games can be played with as few as 7 per side on the field if coaches agree. All USLYC sponsored events will be played with the regulation 10 players per side.

SEVEN PLAYERS PER SIDE ON THE FIELD FOR THE BANTAM DIVISION IS THE RIYLL STANDARD, HOWEVER GAMES CAN BE PLAYED WITH AS MANY AS 10 PLAYERS PER SIDE ON THE FIELD IF COACHES AGREE.

NFHS Rule 1, Section 2 — The Field

The lacrosse playing field shall be rectangular, 110 yards long and between 53 1/3 and 60 yards wide.

Field - RULE 1 SECTION 2. 
Play on regulation size field is preferred; however the coaches and officials can agree to play on any size field available. USLYC sponsored events will be played on regulation size fields for all groups.

The playing field for Bantam Division games should be 80 yards long and between 40 and 60 yards wide. The goal line extended of regulation (110 yard long fields) should become the new end lines and be marked with several cones at each end. The goals should be pulled in approximately 10 yards from these new end lines and a temporary crease established with a bright colored rope. As determined by the home team, sidelines can be either the regulation sidelines (between 53 and 60 yards wide, with no additional markings required) or extend the restraining box and wing lines with cones to create a sideline distance of 40 yards.     

NFHS Rule 1, Section 6 — Equipment: Crosse - Dimensions

The Crosse shall be an overall fixed length of either 40 to 42 inches (short crosse) or 52 to 72 inches (long crosse), except for the goalkeeper’s crosse, which may be a length of 72 inches or less.

NFHS Rule 1, Section 9 — Player Equipment

All players are required to wear protective gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, shoes, and jerseys.



Equipment

RULE 1 SECTIONS 6 & 9. Equipment will conform to NFHS crosse dimensions and equipment requirements, including NOCSAE — approved helmets, with the following modifications:

a. The length of the short crosse may be 37 to 40 inches for offensive players in the Lightning and Bantam Divisions and defensive players in such divisions may use a stick with a length of 37 to 72 inches.

Except that crosses used in the Lightning and Bantam Divisions shall not exceed the height of the player and in the Bantam Division may not exceed 42 inches.

b. Rib pads are strongly recommended.

RULE 1 SECTION 9 ARTICLE 1.g Game Jerseys

The provisions of the referenced rule subsection need not be strictly enforced at the youth level. A team’s game jerseys should be of a single, dominant color with numbers on the front and back of sufficient size to be clearly visible by game officials anywhere on the field.

NFHS Rule 1, Section 12 — Game Administration

Game Administration - Spectators and Teams on Opposite Sides of Field

RULE 1 SECTION 12. 
Spectators and fans will be placed on the opposite side of the field from the table and bench areas. If the field is laid out in a manner that does not allow spectators and fans to be located on the far side of the field, the referee can waive this requirement. When stands or seating facilities are not provided on the opposite side of the field, spectators, fans, and parents will observe the 6-yard spectator limit line on the far side of the field.

Rule 2 - Game Personnel

NFHS Rule 2, Section 4 — Home Team’s Responsibility

Responsibilities of the home team

RULE 2 SECTION 4.2

a. Home teams are responsible for contrasting jersey colors and will wear pennies if needed.

b. Sideline Managers - Each team will be asked to provide a designated Sideline Manager (one adult per team, on site, per game-day contest) to help encourage, maintain and manage the sportsmanlike behavior of spectators and fans. See the "Boys’ Youth Rules Addendum", below, for further information.

C. GAME BALLS AND ADEQUATE NUMBER OF BALLS MUST BE MAINTAINED AT THE END LINES BEHIND THE GOALS DURING REGULATION PLAY FOR SENIOR AND JUNIOR DIVISIONS.

D. BALL BOYS MAY BE USED IF AVAILABLE. WHEN USED, THEY SHOULD WEAR PROTECTIVE GEAR, INCLUDING A HELMET WITH FACEMASK.

e. For Bantam Division, the home team shall be responsible for providing a referee(s), preferably someone other than one of the Bantam coaches (U-15 player, other youth team coaches, or parent). If no such referee is available, one coach from each team should share the referee duties.

F. AT LEAST 72 HOURS PRIOR TO GAME TIME, THE COACH OF THE HOME TEAM SHALL CONTACT THE COACH OF THE VISITING TEAM TO CONFIRM THE GAME TIME AND LOCATION, AND TO OTHERWISE DISCUSS ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT EXIST WITH RESPECT TO CONDUCTING THE GAME AS SCHEDULED (I.E., ADEQUATE NUMBER OF PLAYERS).

G. In the event of cancellation of games due to weather conditions or other circumstances it is the responsibility of the home coach to contact the coach of the visiting team to inform him of the cancellation as soon as possible. On the Friday before game day if the weather forecast indicates a reasonable probability that the game will be cancelled, the program director for the home team shall contact the program director for the visiting team to confirm the arrangements for communicating the game status on Saturday morning. It is incumbent upon the program director for the home team to communicate game cancellation information to their respective coaches, who in turn are required to communicate that information to the coach of the visiting team.           

Rule 3 - Time Factors and Scoring

NFHS Rule 3 - Sections 1, 3 and 4 – Time Factors and Overtime

Length of Game

RULE 3 SECTION 1.

a.             Senior and Junior Division — Four 10-minute stop-time quarters. In the event of a tie, two 4-minute sudden-victory overtime periods will be played. If after two overtime periods the score is still tied, additional sudden-victory overtime periods may be played until a winner is determined (provided time permits and coaches and officials are in agreement).

b.             Lightning and Bantam Divisions — Four 12-minute running-time quarters. In the event of a tie, one 15-minute running-time overtime period will be played, with the team in the lead at the end of the overtime declared the winner. This is not a sudden victory period. If the score is still tied at the end of the overtime period, the game will end as a tie.

C.             SENIOR, JUNIOR, LIGHTNING AND BANTAM DIVISIONS - FOUR QUARTERS, 12 MINUTE RUNNING CLOCK.

D.             OVERTIME - IN THE EVENT OF A TIE, AND PROVIDED BOTH COACHES AND OFFICIALS AGREE (AND TIME PERMITS BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE NEXT SCHEDULED GAME) THERE MAY BE ONE SUDDEN VICTORY PERIOD OF FOUR (4) MINUTES (SUDDEN VICTORY). THERE SHALL BE NO OVERTIME PERIOD IN THE BANTAM DIVISION.

E.             TIMEOUTS- TWO (2) SIXTY-SECOND TIMEOUTS ARE PERMITTED PER HALF.

F.             SCORING - NO OFFICIAL SCORING SHALL BE KEPT IN THE BANTAM DIVISION.

Stalling – Final Two Minutes of Regulation Play

RULE 3 SECTION 3.

This stalling rule shall be enforced for the Junior and Senior Divisions; however this rule will be waived for Lightning and Bantam Divisions.

Rule 4 - Play of the Game

A.            PRIOR TO THE START OF EACH GAME, OFFICIALS SHALL BE INTRODUCED TO COACHES, AT WHICH POINT THEY SHOULD DISCUSS ANY SPECIAL INTENTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE PLAY OF THE GAME. THIS DISCUSSION SHOULD OCCUR WITH BOTH COACHES SIMULTANEOUSLY.

B.            LACROSSE GAME TRADITIONS WILL BE OBSERVED: FOLLOWING INTRODUCTIONS BETWEEN OFFICIALS AND COACHES, TEAM CAPTAINS MAY BE CALLED TO THE CENTER OF THE FIELD FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS BY OFFICIALS. BUT, IN ALL CASES THE STARTING LINE UPS OF THE OPPOSING TEAMS WILL LINE UP FACING EACH OTHER IN THE CENTER OF THE FIELD. THIS TRADITION OF THE GAME WILL INCLUDE ANY SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS BY THE OFFICIALS, SELECTION OF DEFENDED GOALS, AND A HANDSHAKE GREETING BETWEEN OPPONENTS.

C.            BANTAM DIVISION: IN THE BANTAM DIVISION ONE COACH FROM EACH TEAM WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE FIELD TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION AS WELL AS ASSIST THE REFEREE WITH ENFORCEMENT OF RULES AND OBSERVATION D.            OF BOUNDARIES, CREASE VIOLATIONS, ETC. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SUBSTITUTIONS BE MADE AS FOLLOWS: (I) DEFENSE ROTATES TO MIDFIELD; (II) MIDFIELD ROTATES TO ATTACK; (III) ATTACK GOES TO BENCH; AND (IV) TWO NEW PLAYERS GO TO DEFENSE 

The game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of stick, team and sportsmanship skills. All divisions will follow NFHS "Play of Game" rules with the following modifications:

NFHS Rule 4, Section 3 — Facing off

Facing Off

RULE 4 SECTION 3

In any game, at any point during a game when there is a four-point lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the four-point lead is maintained, unless waived by the coach of the trailing team.

NFHS Rule 4, Section 14 — Advancing the ball beyond the midfield line

NFHS Rule 4, Section 15 — Advancing the ball into Goal Area

Advancing the Ball

RULE 4 SECTION 14 & 15

• No offensive 10-second count will be used.

• No defensive 20-second count will be used.

If a game official detects an effort to stall the advancement of the ball in either the defensive clearing area or the offensive zone outside the offensive box, the official will give a verbal command to "advance the ball" followed by a visual 5-second hand count. If the team so warned does not attempt to advance the ball within the 5-second count, a turnover will occur with restart at the point of the stalling infraction.

NFHS Rule 4, Section 28 — Team Timeouts

Time Out

RULE 4 SECTION 28

Timeouts — two (2) timeouts are permitted per half. The number and length of team timeouts will be agreed upon before the game starts by the coaches and officials, particularly in running-time game situations, and will not exceed 2 minutes.

Rule 5 - Personal and Expulsion Fouls

PENALTIES: TIME SERVING PENALTIES ARE ENFORCED AND MAN UP SITUATIONS ARE PERMITTED IN ALL DIVISIONS EXCEPT THE BANTAM DIVISION.

NFHS Rule 5, Section 3 — Illegal body check NOTE: Spearing

NFHS Rule 5, Section 3.1 — Body checking within 5 yards of a loose ball

Body Checking - RULE 5 SECTION 3

Body checking is permitted in Senior and Junior Divisions; however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. A take out check is defined as any check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

Players in the Junior and Senior divisions may make contact in an upright position within five yards of the ball. No body checking of any kind (including man/ball "clear the body" type pushing) is permitted in the Lightning and Bantam Division. If a loose ball is not moving, the referee may re-start play following the alternate possession rule.

NFHS Rule 5, Section 6 — Slashing

Slashing - RULE 5 SECTION 6

Personal Foul/Slashing - For Lightning and Bantam Divisions: Any poke check making contact with an opponent (other than the gloved hand while holding the stick) will be considered a slash. Also, any one-handed check will be considered a slash for the Bantam Division.

NFHS Rule 5, Section 9 — Unsportsmanlike conduct

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - RULE 5 SECTION 9

Personal fouls are to be taken seriously. In addition to the NFHS rules, any player or coach who uses derogatory or profane language (starting with "damn") on the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach or referee may receive: first offense, 1 to 3-minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty; second offense a 3-minute non-releasable expulsion foul.

NFHS Rule 5, Section 11 — Ejection

Ejection Fouls - RULE 5 SECTION 11

Players illegally playing down to any division will be ejected for the season and the team will be eliminated from any playoffs and ineligible for any titles or awards.

Rule 6 - Technical Fouls

NFHS Rule 6, Section 10 — Stalling

Stalling - RULE 6 SECTION 10

Senior and Junior Divisions: the team with the lead must keep the ball in the goal area during the last two minutes of the game. Lightning and Bantam Divisions are excused from this rule.

Rule 7 - Penalty Enforcement

NFHSA Rule 7, Sections 1, 2 & 3

Time Serving Penalties - RULE 7 SECTIONS 1, 2 & 3

Time serving penalties are enforced and man up situations are permitted in all divisions except the Bantam Division, where there are no time-serving penalties; instead the player must be substituted for and the ball awarded to the other team at the point of the infraction.

A. IN THE BANTAM DIVISION, TECHNICAL FOULS (WITH POSSESSION) WILL BE ASSESSED A 10 SECOND “ON-FIELD” PENALTY, WHERE THE PLAYER TAKES A KNEE 5 YARDS BEHIND THE RESTART OF THE PLAY, AND THE REFEREE OR ON-FIELD COACH RELEASES THE PLAYER AFTER A 10 COUNT. PERSONAL FOULS WILL BE ASSESSED A 20 SECOND “ON-FIELD” PENALTY, WHERE THE PLAYER TAKES A KNEE 5 YARDS BEHIND THE RESTART OF THE PLAY, AND THE REFEREE OR ON-FIELD COACH RELEASES THE PLAYER AFTER A 20 COUNT. THREE PERSONAL FOULS BY THE SAME PLAYER WILL RESULT IN THE PLAYER’S EJECTION FROM THE GAME.

B. FOULS RESULTING IN THE EJECTION OF A PLAYER BY THE GAME OFFICIALS SHALL RESULT IN AN AUTOMATIC NEXT-GAME SUSPENSION FOR THE EJECTED PLAYER, AND MAY RESULT IN FURTHER DISCIPLINARY ACTION BY THE RIYLL DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE OR FULL BOARD, DEPENDING ON THE SEVERITY OF THE ACTION.

Game Termination

Officials will have authority to terminate a boys’ youth game in response to flagrant acts of unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, athletes, spectators, or fans. A game termination will be the last resort in insuring the players’ safety and preserving the integrity of the game. If possible, game officials will issue at least one strong warning that the game is in danger of being terminated. However, it is conceivable that games may be terminated on the first instance of a flagrant unsportsmanlike act. Every effort should be taken to avoid game termination, including the enforcement of existing rules for team-conduct penalties, unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, and ejection fouls. Mechanics for terminating a game for flagrant unsportsmanlike behavior can be found at the US Lacrosse webpage referenced above. All games terminated by a US Lacrosse Official, will result in a 1-0 victory for the team that is innocent of the terminal offense(s). It is recommended that the game should count in league statistics as a full game, and all goals, assists, saves, and other team statistics should count toward team and league records.

Changes and Modification

a. NFHS rules and the supplemental rules are reviewed annually by USLYC Rules Committee, which may adopt any of the changes or modifications deemed necessary to ensure the safe play at all levels.

b. Any comments or suggestions by coaches or officials regarding the Rules for Boys’ Youth Lacrosse must be submitted in writing before June 1 for consideration by the USLYC Boys’ Youth Rules Committee. Any changes or modifications that are approved by the committee will be effective for the Boys’ Youth Rules in the 2011 NFHS rules book.

c. Please send all comments or suggestions regarding the Rules for Boys’ Youth Lacrosse to: Chase Howse, USLYC Boys’ Youth Rules Committee - at , or to:

USLYC Boys’ Youth Rules Committee
c/o US Lacrosse
113 W. University Parkway, Baltimore, MD 21210-3300
410-366-6735 (fax); 410-235-6882 (phone); 
www.uslacrosse.org

D. USLYC SUPPLEMENTAL RULES WILL BE REVIEWED ANNUALLY BY RIYLL NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31ST OF EACH YEAR. RULE CHANGES WILL BE ADOPTED OR MODIFICATIONS AS DEEMED NECESSARY TO ENSURE SAFE PLAY AT ALL LEVELS.

E. ANY COMMENTS OR REQUESTS FOR RULE CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS BY COACHES OR OFFICIALS PARTICIPATING IN YOUTH LACROSSE MUST BE SUBMITTED FOR CONSIDERATION TO THE RIYLL IN WRITING BY DECEMBER 1ST OF EACH YEAR. ANY CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS THAT ARE APPROVED BY THE RIYLL WILL BE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 1ST. CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS TO THE RULES THAT HAVE A DIRECT BEARING ON SAFETY MAY BE CONSIDERED BY THE RIYLL AT ANYTIME; HOWEVER, THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO PLACE NEW SUPPLEMENTAL RULES INTO EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 1ST WITH CHANGE RECOMMENDATIONS SUBMITTED NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 1ST.

E. THE RULES SHALL BE FOLLOWED IN ALL GAMES SANCTIONED AND/OR SPONSORED BY THE RHODE ISLAND YOUTH LACROSSE LEAGUE WITH THE FOLLOWING EXCEPTION. IN THE EVENT A TEAM DESIRES TO MODIFY ANY OF THESE RULES FOR A PARTICULAR GAME THE COACH OF THAT TEAM SHALL BE REQUIRED TO CONTACT THE OPPOSING COACH BEFORE GAME TIME TO DISCUSS THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGE. THE RULES MAY BE MODIFIED ONLY IF THE HEAD COACH FOR EACH TEAM AGREES UPON THE MODIFICATION, AND ABSENT UNANIMOUS CONSENT THESE RULES SHALL NOT BE MODIFIED FOR A PARTICULAR GAME. NOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES MAY ANY TEAM OR COACH AGREE TO MODIFY THE RULES PROHIBITING BODY CHECKING OR MANDATORY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.      

RULE 9 RULE OR CODE-OF-CONDUCT VIOLATIONS/DISPUTES

A.  EVERY PLAYER, COACH, PARENT/GUARDIAN, AND OFFICIAL (PARTICIPANT) SHALL ADHERE TO THE RIYLL CODE OF CONDUCT IN EFFECT PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SPRING SEASON AS A CONDITION OF PARTICIPATING IN RIYLL SANCTIONED EVENTS, INCLUDING ALL PRACTICES, GAMES, FESTIVALS, JAMBOREES, AND TOURNAMENTS. THE GOAL OF THE RIYLLL CODE OF CONDUCT IS TO HONOR THE GAME OF LACROSSE BY REQUIRING RESPECT FOR THE RULES, OPPONENTS, OFFICIALS, TEAMMATES, ONESSELF AND THE TRADITION OF THE GAME.

B.  RIYLL SHALL ESTABLISH A STANDING DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE MADE UP OF THREE RIYLL BOARD MEMBERS (DC) TO ADDRESS SERIOUS VIOLATIONS OF THESE RULES OR OF THE RIYLL CODE OF CONDUCT.

C.  ANY SERIOUS VIOLATION OF THE YOUTH RULES OR CODE OF CONDUCT BY ANY RIYLL PARTICIPANT MAY BE REPORTED IN GOOD FAITH TO THE RIYLL VIA THE APPROPRIATE PROGRAM DIRECTOR ON AN INCIDENT REPORTING FORM AVAILABLE ONLINE ON ONE OF THE AFFECTED PROGRAM’S WEBSITE OR DIRECTLY THROUGH THE RIYLL WEBSITE. THE AFFECTED PROGRAM DIRECTORS WILL CONSULT WITH ONE ANOTHER WITHIN 24 HOURS FOR INTERNAL RESOLUTION OF THE INCIDENT INCLUDING IMPOSITION OF DISCPILINARY ACTION IF ANY.  A COPY OF THE INCIDENT REPORT WILL BE FORWARDED TO THE DC.

D.  IN THE EVENT THAT THE PROGRAM DIRECTORS ARE UNABLE TO AGREE ON AN APPROPRIATE PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION, OR IN THE EVENT THAT THE DC FINDS THAT FURTHER ACTION IS NECESSARY DESPITE THE AGREEMENT OF THE AFFECTED PROGRAMS, THE DC WILL CONVENE BY SPECIAL MEETING OR CONFERENCE CALL WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RECEIPT OF THE INCIDENT REPORT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. IF THE DC IS COMPOSED OF A BOARD MEMBER AFFILIATED WITH AN AFFECTED PROGRAM, THAT BOARD MEMBER WILL BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER DISINTERESTED RIYLL BOARD MEMBER ON A ROTATING BASIS.

E.  AFTER EVALUATING THE INCIDENT REPORT AND CONSIDERING INPUT FROM THE PROGRAM DIRECTORS, OFFICIALS, COACHES, PARTICIPANTS OR PARTICIPANTS’ REPRESENTATIVES, AS THE CASE MAY WARRANT, THE DC WILL EITHER TAKE NO ACTION OR IMPOSE DISCIPLINARY ACTION ON THE PARTICIPANT, WHICH ACTION MAY INCLUDE A REPRIMAND, SUSPENSION FROM PLAY, DISQUALIFICATION FROM FURTHER PARTICIPATION IN THE SEASON, OR SUCH OTHER ACTION AS THE DC MAY DEEM APPROPRIATE UNDER ALL OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

F.  A PARTICIPANT DISCIPLINED BY AGREEMENT OF THE PROGRAM DIRECTORS OR BY THE DC SHALL BE FINAL, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE DISCIPLINED PARTICIPANT SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL TO THE FULL RIYLL BOARD BY WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE PRESIDENT WITHIN 24 HOURS OF NOTICE OF THE ACTION TAKEN. THEREUPON, THE FULL BOARD WILL CONSIDER THE RECORD, SEEK FURTHER INPUT AS NECESSARY AND MAKE A FINAL DETERMINATION FROM WHICH THERE SHALL BE NO FURTHER RIGHT OF APPEAL.

G.  AUTOMATIC NEXT-GAME SUSPENSIONS RESULTING FROM AN OFFICIAL’S EJECTION OF A PARTICIPANT FROM A GAME ARE TO BE REPORTED BY THE GAME OFFICIALS ON THE INCIDENT REPORTING FORM.  SUCH SUSPENSIONS  ARE FINAL AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO RECONSIDERATION BY THE DC OR TO APPEAL BY THE PARTICIPANT. THE DC MAY HOWEVER CONVENE TO CONSIDER ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS IF IT DEEMS APPROPRIATE, WHICH ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO APPEAL.

RULE 10 THE RIYLL YOUTH LACROSSE SEASON

REGULAR SEASON GAMES ARE PLAYED ON SATURDAYS. POST SEASON GAMES WILL ACCOMMODATE GAMES WITHIN RHODE ISLAND, GAMES AGAINST SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND TEAMS, TOURNAMENTS AND OTHER GAMES ARRANGED FOR THE JUNE – JULY POST SEASON PERIOD. RIYLL PLAYERS MAY ALSO EARN POSITIONS ON THE RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER OF U.S. LACROSSE YOUTH FESTIVAL TEAM. THE USL YOUTH FESTIVAL TEAM WILL COMPLETE TRYOUTS DURING THE REGULAR SEASON AND COMMENCE GAME ACTIVITIES AFTER THE LAST DAY OF THE REGULAR SEASON. TRY OUTS FOR RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER OF USL YOUTH FESTIVAL TEAMS WILL BE OPEN TO ALL RIYLL PLAYERS IN APPROPRIATE AGE GROUPS, PROVIDED THEY ARE CURRENT MEMBERS OF US LACROSSE. AGE-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS WHO DO NOT PARTICIPATE ON A RIYLL MAY ALSO TRY OUT FOR THE U.S. LACROSSE YOUTH FESTIVAL (AND OTHER POST-SEASON TEAMS), PROVIDED THEY ARE U.S. LACROSSE MEMBERS AND ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE RHODE ISLAND CHAPTER. RIYLL JAMBOREES MAY BE ORGANIZED AT SOMETIME DURING THE SEASON CONSISTENT WITH CURRENT YEAR SCHEDULING.

ADOPTED BY THE RIYLL BOARD ON MARCH 18, 2010

NEAL YEATMAN, CLCF, PRESIDENT                        DREW WILLIAMS, EGLA, VICE PRESIDENT

NANCI ADAMS, PYL, SECRETARY                        COLIN BISHOP, NRIYL

STEVE DELEO, IYL                                                GARY FRIEDMAN, NKYL

MATT HAYES, EBBCLA                                    JOHN LITSINGER, SCYL

JACK PALIOTTE, WPAL                                    MARIO ROSARIO, PROVYL

LAURA SHEEHAN, CYL