Edmonton Masters lacrosse league rules
Rule 1 CLA Rulebook
Unless otherwise mentioned within these rules the CLA rules for senior lacrosse will be in effect for all master’s lacrosse.
Rule 2 Eligibility
All Masters players must attain their 30th birthday in the year they compete. The exception to this rule is 21st birthday and no lacrosse experience or not played for a minimum of 5 years. Players must be registered with the ALA. Players may not be registered in any other division or category of box lacrosse in Canada or the US.
Rule 3 Teams
Maximum number of dressed players per team is 18, including 2 goalies. A minimum of 8 roster players including goalie must be dressed for a game or this team will default the game to the other team. Affiliates may be recruited up to the number of players the opposing team has dressed so a fun game can be played during the scheduled floor time.
Rule 4 Season Ending Tie Breaking Procedure
Any ties in the league standings will be decided by head to head record, if a tie remains then least penalty minutes will be used. If still tied, coin toss will be used.
Rule 5 Game Time
The game will be a maximum 3 x 15 minute periods, with a 2 minute rest between periods. Play will be straight time. Any overtime will continue as straight time.
Rule 6 5 Second Possession Rule
A player may not be in possession of the ball for longer than 5 seconds. Infraction of this rule will result in the ball being turned over to the non-offending team.
- This rule will not be in effect if the ball carrier is on a breakaway (as defined by the CLA rules Penalty Shot section)
- The ball carrier can not circumvent this rule by bouncing the ball or intentionally dropping the ball.
Rule 7 Mandatory Equipment
All players shall where helmets with full facemasks and gloves. The helmets and facemasks must be CSA or NOSCAE approved as per CLA guidelines
Rule 8 Measurements
There will be no stick or equipment measurements in master’s lacrosse.
Rule 9 Zone Defense
When a team is full strength and on defense they may not use a zone defense. The first offense will result in a warning to the team and all subsequent offenses will result in a 2 minute bench penalty.
- A defensive player may not be in his own 24’ arc for longer than 3 seconds unless they are within a stick length of an offensive player that they are defending.
- Double and triple and multiple team defense is allowed
Rule 10 Stoppage Due to Injury
After a stoppage due to injury the team that had possession prior to the injury will retain possession with a fresh 30 second clock.
Rule 11 Dangerous Shot
No deliberate shots are to be directed through a crowd. Players must go around an opponent before shooting. A player must have a clear shooting lane to the net. If the shooter is stationary the shooter must be a body length away from the defensive player and must have a clear shooting lane to the net. If no player (other than the goalie) is hit by the ball any resulting goal will be disallowed and either a minor penalty is given to the shooter or possession will be awarded to the non-offending team based on the referee’s discretion. If a player (other than the goalie) is hit by the ball a minor penalty shall be given to the shooter and any resulting goal will be disallowed.
- If the shooting player is inside the 24’ arc they cannot be guilty of a dangerous shot.
- The minimum requirement of a shooting player to be considered inside the 24’ arc is that their foot must be touching the 24’ line while in control of the ball.
Rule 12 Obstruction
Any defensive player (other than the goalie) within the 24’ arc that is intentionally obstructing the free space in front of the goal, such that it denies the offensive player a chance to shoot safely and encourages shooting at the defensive player shall be guilty of Obstruction. A minor penalty shall be given for Obstruction.
- This rule applies to defenders not marking an attack player within 1 stick length.
- This rule should only be called if the offensive player is looking to shoot and has the opportunity to do so.
Rule 13 Roughing
In addition to the standard CLA definition of Roughing there will be NO DELIBERATE BODY CONTACT by either the offensive of defensive teams. All deliberate body contact will be penalized as Roughing. Examples (not inclusive) are offensive picks when the offensive player pushes off the defender, defensive players pushing or hitting the offensive ball carrier.
- Body contact initiated by the offensive player that is of a minor nature shall be penalized by the loss of possession. More serious body contact will be treated as charging as in the CLA rules.
Rule 14 Slashing
In addition to the standard CLA definition of Slashing there will be NO DELIBERATE STICK TO BODY CONTACT by either offensive of defensive teams. All deliberate stick to body contact will be penalized as Slashing. Examples (not inclusive) include a defender controlling an offender with the part of the stick between the defender’s hands (crosscheck-hold) or any stick contact made with a players hands, arms, legs, body or head.
- Stick to Stick checks are allowed
- Follow-Through slashes should be call tightly. Any goal that occurs on the same play as a follow-though slash shall be disallowed.
Rule 15 Holding
In addition to the standard CLA definition of holding the following will be added. Should a defensive player place his hand on the back of another player with the intent of holding or controlling him (possibly but not necessarily while making a stick check) this shall be penalized as holding. Should a player place his hand on the back of another player with the intent of holding or controlling him during a loose ball situation possession shall be awarded to the non-offending team.
Rule 16 Interference
In addition to the standard CLA definition of Interference the following will be added. An Interference minor penalty shall be given to any play that deliberately holds his stick in the face of his opponent.
Rule 17 Multiple Penalties
If a team is 1 player down because of penalties any subsequent time serving penalty shall result in a penalty shot.
- Player A1 is in the penalty box for slashing at 4:00; at 3:00 A2 receives a penalty for high sticking. Instead of A2 going to the penalty box team B will be awarded a penalty shot (to be taken by any player on the floor). Player A2 must go to the player’s bench (as if he were injured and may return once play has re-started). If team B scores on the penalty shot player A1 will serve his final 1:00 and play will start with a face-off. If team B does not score on the penalty shot they will be awarded the ball at centre and player A1 still serves his final minute.
Rule 18 Major Penalties and Misconduct
Any player receiving a major penalty, 10 minute misconduct or a game misconduct will be expelled from the game and the following game.
Rule 19 Fouling Out
Any player that receives 3 penalties in a game shall be expelled for the remainder of the game.
Rule 20 Fighting
Any player that receives a Fighting penalty or an Aggressor penalty shall be suspended until the next EMLL Committee Meeting which will determine the final length of the suspension.
Rule 21 EMLL Executive Committee
Any player who commits a vicious or unsportsmanlike act will be subject to review by the EMLL Executive Committee. Any suspension determined and awarded by the Committee is final and not subject to appeal.
Rule 22 Abuse of Officials
Edmonton Master’s Lacrosse has a Zero Tolerance Policy for abuse of officials, any questioning of calls or abuse of officials shall be penalized as unsportsmanlike conduct and should be strictly enforced.
