Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota www.youthlaxmn.org

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Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota(www.youthlaxmn.org)

• Rules Interpretation Meeting

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Agenda

• YLM General Information
• YLM Operational Guidelines
• YLM Player Boundary Rules
• Boys Lacrosse Rules of Play
• US Lacrosse Information
• The Role of the Coach
• Code of Conduct
• Bill of Rights for Young Athletes
• The Role of the Parents
• YLM Coaching Information
• Discipline Policy
• Coach Code of Conduct
• Certified Coach
• Resources

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YLM General Information

• YLM Mission Statement
• While placing the best interest of our
  participants at the forefront, our mission is to
  provide a safe, fun and unified environment for
  the development and further advancement of youth
  lacrosse in Minnesota.
• Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota is a not-for-profit
  organization
• 2008 Season
• Boys youth lacrosse will be organized by the YLM
• Girls are allowed to participate, but should be
  discouraged at Senior (7th/8th) Division
• Girls youth lacrosse will be organized by MSSLAX
  and all girls are encouraged to play in this
  league
• (http//eteamz.active.com/msslax/)
• Boys Season Dates
• Regular Season May 27th July 17th
• District Playoffs July 21st July 24th
• State Tournament July 26th July 27th

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YLM Operational Guidelines

• Grade of player is defined as the grade he was
  enrolled in at the close of the school year
• Bantam Division 2nd/3rd/4th Grade Combination
• Lightning Division 5th/6th Grade Combination
  (4th/5th/6th is acceptable)
• Senior Division 7th/8th Grade Combination
  (6th/7th/8th is acceptable)
• Two levels of Competition in the Senior Division
• A Competitive
• B Non-Competitive
• Communities may elect to field teams in either
  level
• The A and B levels will not be scheduled to play
  against each other unless individual coaches
  choose to schedule those games themselves
• Multiple teams within a program should be
  balanced
• Each YLM Association is to determine the
  composition of their teams
• Keep in mind the spirit of fair play and the
  advancement of lacrosse in Minnesota
• All players, coaches and officials must have a US
  Lacrosse Membership

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YLM Player Boundary Rules

• All associations within the YLM shall limit their
  enrollment to those players who reside within
  their communitys public high school attendance
  area as defined by local school district maps
  (defined as Residing Community)
• Exceptions
• A player who has open enrolled to a public school
  located outside the residing community, or who
  will be attending a private school outside of
  their residing community, may register with the
  association in that school community
• A player who does not have a YLM association
  within their public high school attendance area,
  must register with the nearest neighboring YLM
  association, but may not displace a player from
  that residing community
• Waivers
• Any player who does not meet the above
  exceptions, but is seeking to register with a YLM
  team outside their residing community, must
  obtain a YLM waiver prior to registration.
  Waivers will be granted in only special
  circumstances. Waivers must be submitted on a YLM
  Waiver form. Waiver will be reviewed, and
  approved or denied by the YLM Vice President of
  Operations.

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YLM Player Boundary Rules (continued)

• Violations
• Any association found to be in willful violation
  of this policy will receive a written warning
  from the YLM Vice President of Operations. Policy
  violators will be required to correct their
  registration practices immediately. Failure to
  comply will result in ultimate expulsion from
  membership in the YLM, or such other sanctions as
  may be provided in YLM rules or as determined by
  the YLM board.
• Appeals
• Members do have the right to appeal the decision
  of the Vice President by request at a future YLM
  board meeting

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Boys Lacrosse Rules of Play

• All coaches must understand and teach the
  following rules of play
• 2008 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book (pages 10
  87)
• Player equipment and safety
• Personal and technical fouls
• 2008 NFHS Rules for Youth Lacrosse (pages 88
  94)
• YLM Rules of Play
• Game format
• YLM rules of play exceptions
• Bantam (3rd/4th) Division exceptions
• Lightening (5th/6th) Division exceptions
• Senior (7th/8th) Division exceptions
• It is imperative that every head coach has a copy
  of the 2008 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book and the
  YLM Rules Modifications at every game

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Required Field Player Equipment

• Lacrosse Helmet (NOCSAE Approved)
• Helmet with a cupped four point chin strap
  fastened to all four hookups
• Hockey helmets are not acceptable for any player
• Mouthpiece
• The mouthpiece must be a highly visible color
  (cannot be clear or white)
• Gloves
• The cutting or altering of gloves is prohibited
• Other Protective Equipment
• Shoulder pads
• Arm pads
• Athletic supporters and protective cups
• Recommended Equipment
• Rib pads
• Cleats (no steel spikes)

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Required Goalkeeper Equipment

• Lacrosse Helmet (NOCSAE Approved)
• Helmet with a cupped four point chin strap
  fastened to all four hookups
• Hockey helmets are not acceptable for any player
• Throat Protector
• Attached to the helmet (foam or plastic is
  acceptable)
• Mouthpiece
• The mouthpiece must be a highly visible color
  (cannot be clear or white)
• Gloves
• The cutting or altering of gloves is prohibited
• Other Protective Equipment
• Chest protector
• Athletic supporters and protective cups
• Recommended Equipment
• Shin guards / football pants
• Cleats (no steel spikes)

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Crosse Requirements

• Crosse Lengths
• 40 42 long for attackmen and midfielders
• Exception Bantam (3rd/4th) players may use
  sticks 37 42 long
• 52 72 long for defensemen
• Exception Bantam (3rd/4th) players may not use a
  defensive stick
• 40 72 long for goalkeeper
• Crosse Dimensions
• The head of the crosse must be 6.5 10 wide
  (field players)
• The head of the crosse must be 10 12 wide
  (goalkeeper)
• The minimum length from throat to top outside of
  the stick is 10
• Pocket
• The pocket of a crosse shall be deemed illegal if
  the top surface of a lacrosse ball, when placed
  in the head of the crosse, is below the bottom
  edge of the side wall
• No stringers / leathers longer than 6
• Butt End
• All hollow shafts shall have a plug on the end or
  be taped over to prevent injury

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NFHS Rules Personal Fouls

• The penalty for a personal foul shall be
  suspension from the game of the offending player
  for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the officials
  judgement of the severity and perceived intent of
  the personal foul. The ball shall be given to
  the team fouled.
• Cross Check
• A player may not check his opponent with the
  handle of the crosse that is between the players
  hands, either by thrusting away from the body or
  by holding it extended from the body
• Illegal Body Check
• Body checking of an opponent who is not in
  possession of the ball or within five yards of a
  loose ball
• Avoidable body check of an opponent after he has
  passed or shot the ball
• Body checking of an opponent from the rear or at
  or below the waist
• Body checking of an opponent in which contact is
  made above the shoulders
• Body checking of an opponent who has any part of
  his body on the ground
• Blocking of an opponent with the head or
  initiating contact with the head (spearing)

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NFHS Rules Personal Fouls (continued)

• Illegal Crosse
• A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is
  too deep or if any other part of the crosse was
  altered to gain an advantage
• Use of Illegal Equipment
• A player may not use equipment that does not
  conform to specifications
• Fingers or palms may not be cut of the gloves
• Gloves altered in a way that compromises their
  protective features
• A player not wearing the required equipment
  (shoulder or arm pads, etc)
• Slashing
• Swinging a crosse at an opponents crosse or body
  with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon
• Striking an opponent in an attempt to dislodge
  the ball from his crosse
• Striking an opponent in any part of the face,
  neck, chest, back, shoulders, groin or on the
  head with the crosse
• Repeatedly striking the opponents lower gloved
  hand with no attempt to dislodge the ball

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NFHS Rules Personal Fouls (continued)

• Tripping
• A player may not trip an opponent with any part
  of his body or crosse
• Tripping is obstructing an opponent at or below
  the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or
  legs, by any positive primary action if the
  obstructing player is on his feet or by any
  secondary action when the obstructing player is
  not on his feet
• Unnecessary Roughness
• An excessively violent infraction of the rules
  against holding and pushing
• Deliberate and excessively violent contact made
  by a defensive player against an offensive player
  who has established a screening position
• Any avoidable act that is deliberate and
  excessively violent, whether it be with the body
  or crosse
• A check delivered with the gloved hand or hands
  may not be delivered with a punching blow
• Entering the field (either from a penalty or
  substitution on the fly) and immediately body
  check a vulnerable opponent

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NFHS Rules Personal Fouls (continued)

• Unsportsmanlike Conduct
• No player, substitute, non playing member of a
  squad, coach, or anyone officially connected with
  a competing team shall
• Enter into an argument with an official as to any
  decision that has been made or in any way attempt
  to influence the decision
• Use threatening, profane or obscene language or
  gestures at any time during the game
• Bait, taunt, call undue attention to oneself, or
  any other act considered unsportsmanlike by the
  officials
• These are non-releasable penalties
• Ejection
• A player, substitute, coach, non playing member
  of a team or anyone officially connected with the
  team shall be ejected for
• Deliberately striking or attempting to strike
  anyone or leaving the bench area during an
  altercation
• Use of tobacco or smokeless tobacco
• Second non-releasable, unsportsmanlike foul
• Any action deemed by the officials to be flagrant
  misconduct

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NFHS Rules Technical Fouls

• The penalty for a technical foul shall be either
  a 30-second suspension of the offending player
  from the game (if the team fouled had possession
  of the ball at the time the foul was committed)
  or simply the awarding of the ball to the team
  fouled
• Crease Violation / Goalkeeper Interference
• Any crease violation or interference with the
  goalkeeper of a technical nature while the ball
  is in possession of the defensive team outside of
  the crease
• Any crease violation or interference with the
  goalkeeper while he and the ball are in the
  crease, whether or not he has possession of the
  ball
• Holding
• A player may not
• Use the portion of the handle that is between his
  hands to hold an opponent
• Step on the crosse of an opponent
• Hold an opponent with his crosse
• Hold or pin an opponents crosse against the body
  of the opponent with his crosse
• Hold an opponent with his free hand that is off
  the crosse

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NFHS Rules Technical Fouls (continued)

• Illegal Offensive Screening
• No offensive player shall move into and make
  contact with a defensive player with the purpose
  of blocking a defensive player from the man he is
  playing, nor shall the offensive player hold his
  crosse rigid or extend his crosse rigid to impede
  the normal movements of the defensive man
• Illegal Procedure
• Touching the ball with the hands (except the
  goalie)
• Illegal actions with crosse a player shall not
• Throw his crosse under any circumstances
• Take part in the play in any manner without his
  crosse
• Crosse in face of opponent
• A player shall not push at, thrust or flick his
  crosse in the face of an opponent
• Entering the game from the penalty area before
  authorized
• Delay of game
• Participation in the play of the game by a player
  out of bounds
• Any player not in his restraining area at the
  time of the face-off whistle
• Failure to remain 5 yards from a player having a
  free play

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NFHS Rules Technical Fouls (continued)

• Illegal Procedure (continued)
• Having more than 10 players in the game at any
  time, including the penalty box
• Having more than four long crosses in the game
  (excluding the goalie)
• Deliberately creating a loose ball to circumvent
  the rules of failure to advance
• Failure to advance the ball beyond the midfield
  line into the goal area in 10 sec
• Conduct Foul
• A coach shall not enter the field of play without
  the permission of an official, except to attend
  to an injured player, to warm up a goalkeeper, or
  during half time
• A player, coach, trainer or other person
  officially connected with the team shall not
• Leave the bench area and/or coaches area on his
  side of the field
• Object to an officials decision by arguing or
  gesturing
• Interference
• A player shall not interfere in any manner with
  the free movement of an opponent, except when
  that opponent has possession, the ball is in
  flight and within 5 yards, or both players are
  within 5 yards of a loose ball

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NFHS Rules Technical Fouls (continued)

• Offside
• The ball is awarded to the offended team in its
  offensive side of the field at the face-off X
• Pushing
• A player shall not thrust or shove an opponent
  from the rear
• Pushing is permitted from the front or side when
  an opponent has possession of the ball or is
  within 5 yards of a loose ball
• Pushing shall be done with either closed hand,
  shoulder or forearm, and both hands shall be on
  the crosse
• Offensive Stalling
• When a team is warned to keep it in and then
  runs or passes the ball out of the goal area
• When the ball goes out of the goal area in any
  manner, except as a result of a shot on goal or a
  deflection by the defensive team
• During the last two minutes of regulation play,
  offensive stalling rules are in effect for the
  team that is ahead

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NFHS Rules Technical Fouls (continued)

• Warding Off
• A player in possession of the ball shall not use
  his free hand or arm or any other part of his
  body to hold, push or control the direction of
  the movement of the crosse or body of the player
  applying a check
• Withholding Ball From Play
• When a loose ball is on the ground, a player
  shall not lie on the ball, trap it with his
  crosse longer than necessary to control the ball
  and pick it up with one continuous motion, or
  withhold the ball from play in any other manner

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Game Format

• Each Association is responsible for the following
  at each home game
• Game balls (including balls placed on the end
  lines)
• Scorers table with
• Game clock and penalty clock (for Lightening and
  Senior Divisions)
• Score board
• Horn
• Copy of the YLM Officials Guide and NFHS Boys
  Lacrosse Rules Book
• Adult Sideline Manager (see next two slides)
• Adult time keeper
• Adult score keeper
• Properly lined and marked fields
• Legally sized goals (6 X 6) with net
• It is recommended that lighter goals be anchored
  to the ground
• Sanitation facilities and water - it is
  recommended that these services are provided in
  the vicinity of the fields due to varying
  resources this is not mandatory

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Sideline Manager Job Description

• Maintain a positive and sportsmanlike environment
  around the playing field, including both
  sidelines. The officials will handle on-field
  sportsmanship issues.
• Your coach should introduce you to your team
  which consists of yourself, the opposing teams
  sideline manager, the officials, the coaches and
  everyone Honoring the Game.
• You should partner with the other SA and feel
  free to discuss issues with him/her. Please also
  feel free to discuss concerns with the coaches
  and officials. You may stop the game to speak
  with officials by asking the timer/scorer to
  sound the horn at a dead ball/on a whistle.
• Behavior that does not Honor the Game includes
• Entering the field of play, bench or table area
  or throwing objects onto the field
• Continued berating of officials or others
  involved with the game
• Verbal threats of bodily harm, injury or death
• The use of obscene or highly abusive language
• Fighting

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Sideline Manager Job Description (continued)

• Intervention
• In as private and calm a manner as possible ask
  the misbehaving person "Do you think you are
  Honoring the Game right now?" or say to them "You
  seem pretty upset." Remind them that part of the
  way we do things here is that we respect the
  official even if we disagree with a call. "You
  may be right about that call being incorrect, but
  here, we Honor the Game and show respect to
  officials even if they are wrong."
• Assertive Statement Sometimes a person will not
  respond to your more subtle interventions. Here
  are some further things you can say
• "That's not the way we do things in here!"
• "Yelling at the official is not Honoring the
  Game."
• "It's not okay to act like that here."
• "That kind of behavior has no place here."
• Hand the person the sportsmanship card and walk
  away. Head immediately to timer/scorer area and
  have them signal the officials. Inform the
  officials of the situation in as much detail as
  possible. The officials will give you any further
  instructions.
• If you feel the behavior warrants it, you may
  administer the sportsmanship card immediately.
  Dont place yourself at risk. Remember to respect
  personal space, as you do not want to create
  another incident.
• The community will back up your judgment(s)rest
  assured
• If you need helpget back-up

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Game Format (continued)

• Field Layout
• Standard NFHS field dimensions (see next slide)
• Cones placed at mid line and end lines
• For Bantam fields, it is acceptable to play on a
  smaller (40 yard x 80 yard) field
• Goals 60 yards apart
• Parents and other fans must be on the opposite
  side of the field from players/coaches
• Game Traditions
• Pre-game Lineup
• Starting players line up with their left sides
  toward the goal they are defending
• Referees explain any special ground rules
• Goalies shake hands
• Player shake hands
• End of Game
• Yell a cheer to honor the opposing team
• End of game hand shake - remove equipment to
  shake opponents hands

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Game Format (continued)
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Game Format (continued)

• Game Format
• 4 Quarters
• 12 minute quarters running clock
• 2 timeouts per half 2 minutes long
• Coaches must stay inside the coaches area during
  timeouts
• 2 minute intermission between first/second and
  third/fourth quarters
• 5 minute intermission at half
• Change sides at the end of each quarter
• No overtime games can end in a tie
• Face-offs begin each game
• Point Differential
• 4 point lead in a game losing team has the
  option to continue facing off OR receive the ball
  on the offensive half of the face-off X
• Face-offs will still take place at half-time and
  at quarters regardless of the point differential

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Game Format (continued)

• Referees
• All referees are required to be certified and be
  at least High School Sophomores
• Referees shall understand and enforce the YLM
  modifications to the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules
  Book
• A minimum of 2 officials are required at all
  games
• Referee discretion
• The Referees main objectives are to call the
  game fairly and, most importantly, protect the
  players from injury
• Anything that is directed by a player, with the
  intent to injure another player, is illegal
• Officials control the game from the start if in
  doubt, a penalty will be called
• Always err on the side of safety
• The home team is responsible for providing
  referees and paying the referee fee

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Game Format (continued)

• Penalty Enforcement (Lightening (5th/6th)
  Senior (7th/8th) Divisions)
• Due to running time play, the scorers table will
  add 50 to all penalties
• Example 30 second penalty becomes a 45 second
  penalty
• Example 1 minute penalty becomes a 1 minute and
  30 second penalty
• This includes all technical and personal
  penalties
• Non-releasable penalties include the following
• Equipment (illegal stick, missing mouth guard)
• Unsportsmanlike behavior (swearing or
  foul/abusive/taunting language by players,
  coaches or fans)
• Vicious personal fouls with intent to injure will
  be accessed as follows
• Non-releasable penalties will be enforced as
  follows
• First offense 1 minute non-releasable penalty
• Second offense 2 minute non-releasable penalty
• Third offense Ejection
• Fighting will be grounds for immediate ejection
  from the game, followed by possible League
  sanctions for multiple violations

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YLM Rules of Play Exceptions

• The National Federation of State High School
  Associations Boys Lacrosse Rules Book and Youth
  Supplemental exceptions adopted by the US
  Lacrosse Youth Council shall govern all levels of
  play. YLM exceptions are noted below.
• No 20 second defensive count
• No 10 second offensive count
• No Slashing
• No stick checks to the body other than the gloved
  hand holding the crosse ball
• No stick checks beyond 90 degrees
• No One-handed Checks
• Even if contact isnt made, a penalty will be
  enforced
• No Take Out Checks
• Defined as checks in which the player lowers his
  head or shoulders with the force and intent to
  take out (put on the ground) the other player
• No Loose Ball Push
• No pushing from behind

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YLM Rules of Play Exceptions (continued)

• Game cancellations
• The head coaches, time keeper and officials will
  decide together if a game should be canceled due
  to weather conditions
• It is the home team's responsibility to
  reschedule a canceled game
• Interruption of Game
• If a game is interrupted due to events beyond the
  control of the responsible authorities then, if
  the game can be restarted, it will run only until
  the time in which an uninterrupted game would
  have ended
• A game is considered complete if play has
  advanced midway into the 3rd quarter of play

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Bantam (3rd/4th) Division Rules of Play Exceptions

• The game is to be played with the emphasis on the
  proper development of stick, team and
  sportsmanship skills following NFHS Boys Lacrosse
  Rules with the following exceptions
• Alternating Possession
• If there is a scrum for a ground ball, the
  referee will begin to count out 10 seconds from
  the start of the scrum. If neither team gains
  possession during the 10 seconds, the referee
  will blow the whistle to stop play. He will then
  award the ball on alternating possessions at the
  point of the scrum. If it is inside the goal
  area, he will award the ball outside of the goal
  area. The visiting team will have first
  possession.
• Two Pass Rule
• The team with the ball will be required to
  complete two passes (anywhere in the field of
  play) before being allowed to take a shot on
  goal. The Referee holds up fingers to indicate
  the number of completed passes and yell out ONE
  PASS, TWO PASSES, GOOD TO SHOOT. If the shooting
  team maintains possession following a missed
  shot, they will not have to make two more passes
  before they can shoot again. Possession changes
  when the defensive team controls the ball. If a
  shot is taken after only one pass, the ball is
  awarded to the defensive team outside of the box.

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Bantam (3rd/4th) Division Rules of Play Exceptions

• No Body Checking
• No offensive stalling
• No 4 second Goalkeeper count
• No time serving penalties
• Players must be substituted
• Loss of possession

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Lightening (5th/6th) Division Rules of Play
Exceptions

• The game is to be played with the emphasis on the
  proper development of stick, team and
  sportsmanship skills following NFHS Boys Lacrosse
  Rules with the following exceptions
• No Body Checking
• No offensive stalling
• Incidental Body Contact is acceptable
• Contact made on the field that is considered
  incidental by the Referee is allowed
• Incidental body contact is defined as
• Equal opposing pressure
• Positional ground ball contact
• Accidental collisions
• It is the referees decision if contact was
  incidental Safety First!
• Goalie Protection
• Players are allowed to step in front of driving
  players in order to protect the goalie

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Senior (7th/8th) Division Rules of Play Exceptions

• The game is to be played with the emphasis on the
  proper development of stick, team and
  sportsmanship skills following NFHS Boys Lacrosse
  Rules including the following
• Body checks
• Body contact made by a player taking more than
  four steps (run up hit) is an illegal body check
• Offensive stalling
• Final two minutes of play
• The team leading will be required to keep the
  ball in the box once entered
• Goalie Protection
• Players are allowed to step in front of driving
  players in order to protect the goalie

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US Lacrosse The Role of the Coach

• A Positive Coach
• Is a positive motivator and refuses to motivate
  through fear, intimidation or shame. He
  establishes order and discipline in a positive
  manner.
• Works to remain positive even through losing
  streaks. He recognizes that it is often when
  things go wrong that a coach can have the most
  positive impact and teach the most important
  lessons. Regardless of the adversity involved, he
  refuses to demean himself or his players by
  resorting to fear, intimidation or shame. He
  always treats athletes with respect regardless of
  how well they perform.
• Coaches for mastery rather than victory, which he
  sees as a by-product of the pursuit of
  excellence. He focuses on effort rather than
  outcome, learning rather than comparison to
  others.
• Recognizes that mistakes are an important and
  inevitable part of learning and encourages an
  environment in which players are willing to risk
  making a mistake.

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US Lacrosse The Role of the Coach (continued)

• A Positive Coach (continued)
• Sets standards of continuous learning and
  improvement for herself and her players. She
  encourages and inspires her players, whatever
  their level of mastery, to strive to get better
  without threatening them. She is committed to
  becoming the best coach she can be and
  continually seeks to improve her own
  effectiveness.
• "Honors the Game." He feels an obligation to the
  sport he coaches. He loves his sport and shares
  his love and enjoyment with his players. He feels
  privileged to be able to take part in his sport.
• Respects her opponents, recognizing that a worthy
  opponent will push her and her team to do their
  best.
• Understands the important role that officials
  play and strives to show them respect even when
  he disagrees with their decisions.
• Values the rich tradition of her sport and works
  to honor the spirit as well as the letter of its
  rules.
• Demonstrates personal integrity and would rather
  lose than win by dishonoring the game.
  Dishonoring the game is worse than defeat.

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US Lacrosse Code of Conduct

• YLM with US Lacrosse and the Positive Coaching
  Alliance
• In an effort to promote appropriate values in the
  modern game, US Lacrosse (of which our league is
  a member) has partnered with the Positive
  Coaching Alliance to promote positive coaching
  and good sportsmanship at all levels of the
  lacrosse. US Lacrosse has included the following
  Lacrosse Code of Conduct as part of its
  membership application to encourage and foster
  appropriate values in players, coaches, parents,
  officials and spectators. US Lacrosse believes
  that it should be a priority of every lacrosse
  player, team, program and league to Honor the
  Game.
• Code of Conduct
• Players, coaches, officials, parents and
  spectators are to conduct themselves in a manner
  that Honors the Game and demonstrates respect
  to other players, coaches, officials, parents and
  fans. In becoming a member of the lacrosse
  community, an individual assumes certain
  obligations and responsibilities to the game of
  lacrosse and its participants. The essential
  elements in this Code of Conduct are HONESTY
  and INTEGRITY. Those who conduct themselves in a
  manner that reflects these elements will bring
  credit to the sport of lacrosse, themselves,
  their team and their organization. It is only
  through such conduct that our sport can continue
  to earn and maintain a positive image and make
  its full contribution to amateur sports in the
  United States and around the world.

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US Lacrosse Code of Conduct (continued)

• As a member of US Lacrosse, a coach accepts this
  Code of Conduct
• The following elements of the Code of Conduct
  must be followed
• Sportsmanship and teaching the concepts of fair
  play are essential to the game and must be taught
  at all levels and developed both at home and on
  the field during practices and games.
• The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of
  fair play, and the skills of the game should
  always be placed above winning.
• The safety and welfare of the players are of
  primary importance.
• Coaches must always be aware of the tremendous
  influence they have on their players. They are
  to strive to be positive role models in dealing
  with young people, as well as adults.
• Coaches should always demonstrate positive
  behaviors and reinforce them to players, parents,
  officials and spectators alike. Players should
  be specifically encouraged and positively
  reinforced by coaches to demonstrate respect for
  teammates, opponents, officials and spectators.
• Players should always demonstrate positive
  behavior and respect toward teammates, opponents,
  coaches, officials, parents and spectators.

38
US Lacrosse Code of Conduct (continued)

• Coaches must be able to demonstrate a solid
  knowledge of the rules of lacrosse, and should
  adhere to the rules in both the letter and the
  spirit of the game.
• Coaches, players, parents and spectators are
  expected to demonstrate the utmost respect for
  officials and reinforce that respect to
  players/teammates. Coaches are also expected to
  educate their players as to the important role of
  lacrosse officials and reinforce the ideal of
  respect for the official to players/teammates.
• Grievances or misunderstandings between coaches,
  officials or any other parties involved with the
  sport should be communicated through the proper
  channels and procedures, never on or about the
  field or play in view of spectators or
  participants.
• Officials are professionals and are therefore
  expected to conduct themselves as such and in a
  manner that demonstrates total impartiality
  courtesy and fairness to all parties.
• Spectators involved with the game must never
  permit anyone to openly or maliciously criticize
  badger, harass or threaten an official, coach,
  player or opponent.

39
US Lacrosse Code of Conduct (continued)

• Coaches should provide a basic knowledge of the
  rules to both players and spectators within
  his/her program. Attempts to manipulate rules in
  an effort to take unfair advantage of an
  opponent, or to teach deliberate unsportsmanlike
  conduct, is unacceptable conduct.
• Eligibility requirements, at all levels of the
  game, must be followed. Rules and requirements
  such as age, previous level of participation,
  team transfer, etc., have been established to
  encourage and maximize participation, fair play
  and to promote safety.

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US Lacrosse Bill of Rights for Young Athletes

• After every practice and game ask yourself "did
  every player receive"
• The right to participate in sports
• The right to participate at a level commensurate
  with each child maturity and ability
• The right to have qualified adult leadership
• The right to play as a child and not as an adult
• The right to share in the leadership and
  decision-making of their sport participation
• The right to participate in a safe and healthy
  environments
• The right to proper preparation in sports
• The right to an equal opportunity to strive for
  success
• The right to be treated with dignity
• The right to have fun in sports
• If you can answer "yes" to all ten of these
  items, you as a coach have insured that your
  players have learned the skills necessary to
  develop as a lacrosse player and person and have
  had a positive experience doing so!

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US Lacrosse The Roles of Parents

• The following are roles of lacrosse parents
• Be supportive of your child by giving
  encouragement and showing an interest in his or
  her team. Positive reinforcement encourages
  learning and fun. Research has shown that a ratio
  of five positive statements (compliments,
  positive recognition) for each negative statement
  (criticisms, corrections) is ideal for helping
  young athletes do their best. Try to maintain a
  51 ratio in your comments to your child.
• Attend games whenever possible. If you cannot
  attend, ask about your childs experience, not
  whether the team won or lost. Some questions that
  you might ask before asking about the final score
  include "Did you try as hard as you could? Did
  you have fun? Did you learn anything today that
  might make you a better player in the future?"
• Be a positive role model by displaying good
  sportsmanship at all times to coaches, officials,
  opponents and your childs teammates. "Honoring
  the Game" is an important part of what US
  Lacrosse represents. Help us by honoring the game
  in your behavior as a spectator.
• Let your child set his own goals and play the
  game for himself, herself. Be your childs "home
  court advantage" by giving him or her your
  unconditional support regardless of how well he
  or she performs.

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US Lacrosse The Roles of Parents (continued)

• Let the coach coach. Refrain from giving your
  child advice when he or she is playing. Use
  positive reinforcement with your childs coach.
  Let the coach know when he or she is doing a good
  job.
• Respect the decisions of the referee or umpire.
  This is an important part of honoring the game.
  Your child will pay more attention to how you act
  than to what you say.
• Read the rulebook. A full understanding of the
  rules will help you enjoy the game and educate
  others.
• Get to know who is in charge. Meet with the
  leadership of the program, whether its school
  sponsored or recreational, to discuss topics such
  as cost, practice and game scheduling, insurance
  coverage, emergency procedures, etc.
• Get involved! A great way to support your child's
  lacrosse experience is by becoming a volunteer
  for the program. Some of the ways you can get
  involved keep the scorebook, run the clock, line
  the fields, manage equipment, chaperone trips,
  raise funds, organize clinics and team social
  events, update the team web site, photograph
  players and organize carpooling. 
• Sit back and enjoy the game. Remember, lacrosse
  is played for FUN.

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YLM Discipline Policy

• All disciplinary actions are to be initiated by
  the filing of an Incident Report on the form and
  in the manner specified on the website.
• Initial review will be conducted by the VP of
  League Operations, including an opportunity for
  all interested parties to provide information.
  The VP will have the authority to negotiate an
  agreeable resolution. Any such resolution will
  be presented to the Board at its next regular
  meeting for such action as it deems prudent.
• If the VP cannot negotiate a resolution, a
  complaint or report will be reviewed by the YLM
  Board as a whole at its next scheduled meeting,
  or earlier if possible. A decision will be based
  on the VP report and any other information that
  may be submitted.
• Consequences may range from a private
  admonishment to suspension for a game or a full
  season or more at the Board's discretion.
• 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 (rosters will be traded
  at the beginning of each game)

44
YLM Coach Code of Conduct

• As a member of US Lacrosse and a participant in
  Youth Lacrosse of Minnesota, I have read and
  understand the following conditions of
  participation
• Coaches are to conduct themselves in a manner
  that Honors the Game of lacrosse. This
  includes remembering the ROOTS of lacrosse
• RULES refusing to bend the rules to win
• OPPONENTS a worthy opponent brings out our best
• OFFICIALS show respect even if we disagree
• TEAMMATES never do anything to embarrass our
  team
• SELF live up to our own standards even when
  others dont
• The value of good sportsmanship, the concepts of
  fair play, and the development of skills should
  always be placed above winning
• The safety and wellness of my players are of
  primary importance
• I must always be aware of the tremendous
  influence I have on my players and will strive to
  be a positive role model

45
YLM Coach Code of Conduct (continued)

• YLM Coach Code of Conduct continued
• I will demonstrate positive behaviors and
  reinforce them to my players, parents, officials,
  and spectators
• I will demonstrate utmost respect for officials
  and reinforce that respect with my players
• I will demonstrate a solid knowledge of both the
  national and local rules of lacrosse, and will
  adhere to the rules in both the letter and spirit
  of the game
• Grievances or misunderstandings between coaches,
  officials, or any other involved persons should
  be communicated through proper channels and
  procedures, never on the field of play. I will
  familiarize myself with these channels prior to
  the onset of games
• I understand that a violation of this Code of
  Conduct may result in a review by the Youth
  Lacrosse of Minnesota Board of Directors and a
  possible disciplinary action, including
  suspension
• All coaches need to sign the YLM Coach Code of
  Conduct before they leave this meeting

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Certified Coaches

• For the 2008 YLM Season, head coaches will be
  required to be YLM Certified Coaches.  It is
  strongly encouraged that all assistant coaches
  also become certified.  The following items must
  be completed by a coach to be YLM Certified
• Active membership of US Lacrosse
• Attendance at a YLM Rules Interpretation Meeting
• Completion of the US Lacrosse Level 1 Online
  Training Course
• Completion of YLM Coach Code of Conduct
• Picture for Badge ID
• Completion of background check information
• Once all the above are completed, coaches will
  receive their YLM Coachs badge to make them
  eligible to coach in the YLM
• A badged coach must be present with the team
• Failure to do so results in a forfeit of the game
• Badged coaches are not tied to a team -- if the
  coach is sick, you can get another certified
  coach to stand in, even if an assistant coach
  (uncertified) runs the game

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Resources

• US Lacrosse
• National Organization www.uslacrosse.org
• Minnesota Chapter www.mn-lacrosse.com
• Online Courses
• History of lacrosse http//archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-4
  1-824/sports/lacrosse/
• Videos, Books, etc
• e-lacrosse (lacrosse information)
  www.e-lacrosse.com/
• Inside Lacrosse (lacrosse information) www.insidel
  acrosse.com
• Lacrosse Magazine (lacrosse information)
  http//laxmagazine.cstv.com/
• Lax Links (lacrosse information) www.laxlinks.com
• Lax Power (lacrosse information) www.laxpower.com
• Westside Lacrosse (lacrosse information) www.wests
  idelax.com
• Youth Lacrosse USA (coaching information) www.yout
  hlacrosseusa.com
• Kudda (coaching information) www.kudda.com
• Championship Videos (lacrosse videos) www.champion
  shipproductions.com