Bowers Tournament Rules

PETS or animals of ANY kind are NOT allowed on the premises or around the playing fields! Please plan accordingly for the care of your animals. State Police and Animal Control will be patrolling the grounds.



• Sportsmanship tournament: scores are not kept.
• USA Lacrosse rules and safety/equipment guidelines will be followed for this tournament unless otherwise noted below.
• Games are 25 minutes running time for each game on a horn.
• Games may be held on modified fields.
• Coaches may mutually agree to play other formats as appropriate based on the number of players.
• Coaches, players and spectators will respect referees, respect opponents and show good sportsmanship. Failure to do so will result in penalty cards or game forfeit.
• Fighting is an expulsion foul. Any player that is expelled from a game for fighting or unsportsmanlike conduct shall be prohibited from participating in the remainder of the tournament.
• Any individual that accumulates three (3) personal fouls during a single game shall be prohibited from participating further in the game.
• No team time outs are allowed. Play may be stopped in the event of player injury or due to severe weather.
• Substitutions may be performed at any time but must be done expeditiously due to time constraints. Referees may award the opposing team possession for prolonged delays.
• Teams must observe age level guidelines – for example, a 4th grader can “play up” with junior 5/6 grade team, but a 7th grader cannot “play down”.
• Referees may award one (1) Sportsmanship prize per game to an athlete who displays the attributes of good sportsmanship: fair, respectful, and gracious behavior on and off the field.

All teams/All age levels

• Alternate possession will start with the first team listed for that match

Bantam U10 (Grades 3 & 4)

• Draws after each goal - this is the only exception to USA Lacrosse rules.
• On goalie clears, field players must move beyond the 8m.
• No 3 pass rule.
• No Checking.

Juniors U12 (Grades 5 & 6) and Seniors U14 (Grades 7 & 8)

• Cards: Teams play short on carded fouls; coaches are required to track the time and can release the player from penalty area once time is elapsed. Card is not released on goals.
• Cards: If the same player is given 2 yellow cards in one game, they must sit out for the remainder of the game. If a coach is given a yellow card, they must remove a player from the field to serve the penalty.
• Cards: If a red card is issued to a player or coach, they may not participate in the remainder of the tournament.
• Stalling, holding the ball to run down the time is not allowed; this will be a foul and ball turned over to other team.

Bantam U10 (Grades 3 & 4)

• Game format is 10v10 with 9 field players (3 attack, 3 midfield, 3 defenders) and 1 goalie.
• USA Lacrosse rules & guidelines for U12 will be followed.
• Scoring - For the ball to be ‘hot’ and count as a score:
• There must be one attempted pass by the team in possession in the offensive zone before a player can shoot on goal.
• Both players involved in the completed pass must be on the offensive side of the field. This applies to face offs and regular play.
• A clear by the goalie or another defensive player past midfield does not make the ball 'hot'. An additional pass attempt is required in the offensive zone.