MYL Competition Rules

• If any team gains a 6+ goal lead, the trailing team can receive the ball at midfield without a face off. [adopted in 2014]
  • Face offs resume when the margin returns to five goals or less.
  • Exception: Mass Bay Select games always require face offs, regardless of score differential.
  • Variation: Trailing team may decline and participate in face offs if trailing by 6+ goals.
• If any team gains a 12+ goal lead, the game clock goes to running time. [adopted in 2014]
  • Coaches for the leading team should make discrete adjustments (e.g. requiring 3 passes prior to shooting, encouraging off-hand passing and shooting, switching positions, etc.).

 

NEW Game Rule that applies to ALL Levels of MYL Play [adopted in 2022]

The Face Off

• Players SHALL STAND as they get into the position for the Face Off and must remain standing until the whistle is blown.
• The crosses (sticks) and gloves shall rest on the ground along the center line, parallel to each other up to, but not touching, the center line. All fingers and both hands shall be gloved and wrapped around the crosse. The crosse head and the gloved hands shall be touching the ground. The hand closer to the throat shall be in a PALM-UP position.

 

Game Rules Specific to LEVEL 7/8 (using 14U rules)

•  Up to four “long poles” measuring up to 72” (including stick head & shaft) are permitted on the field at any one time for Level 7/8 games.
• Substitutions are allowed on all sideline out-of-bounds (not endlines) for all Level 7/8 games. [adopted in 2014]
• Level 7/8 teams will apply the 20-second count to clear the ball over the midfield line and will apply the 10-second count to get the ball into the offensive box.
  • This rule will be suspended if one team has a 6+ goal lead at any point in the game. It would be reinstated if the lead drops to 5 goals or less.
• The “over-and-back” rule will be in effect for Level 7/8 games.
  • The rule states, “Once the 10-second count has been satisfied, and an offensive team carries, passes, or propels the ball over the midline (except on a shot), it will result in an immediate turnover.”
• The 2-minute stalling rule will apply to Level 7/8 games.
  • During the final two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules will be in effect.
  • The team that is ahead by 4 goals or less will be warned to “Get it in/Keep it in "once the ball in possession has been brought across midfield into its respective goal area.
  • When stalling rules are applied, they will remain in effect until a shot hits the goal pipe, goalie, or the goalie’s equipment in addition to the existing rules for stopping a stall warning. [adopted in 2018]
  • A stall warning can also be issued at any point in the game when an official feels an offensive team is not making an effort to make an attempt at scoring.​
• After a stoppage in play, the game can restart when the defensive player(s) are within 5 yards of the ball carrier. Officials must make an effort to restart play as soon as possible. The new restart rule allows for play to resume while a defensive player is within 5 yards of the player in possession. In all cases the defensive player is required to allow the ball carrier a path to the goal and may not play the ball carrier until a minimum distance of 5 yards has been achieved. [adopted in2020]
• All stick penalties are non-releasable and 2 minutes in duration. [adopted in 2020]
• 1-handed stick checks are allowed when done in control with proper contact. [new 2022 rule]

 

Game Rules Specific to LEVEL 5/6 (using 12U rules)

•  Up to four “tiger poles” measuring up to 60” (including stick head & shaft) are permitted on the field at any one time for Level 5/6 games. [adopted in 2014]
• Substitutions are allowed on all sideline out-of-bounds (not endlines) for all Level 5/6 games. [adopted in 2014]
• Level 5/6 teams will apply the 20-second count to clear the ball over the midfield line and will apply the 10-second count to get the ball into the offensive box.
  • This rule will be suspended if one team has a 6+ goal lead at any point in the game. It would be reinstated if the lead drops to 5 goals or less.
• The “over-and-back” rule will be in effect for Level 5/6 games.
  • The rule states, “Once the 10-second count has been satisfied, and an offensive team carries, passes, or propels the ball over the midline (except on a shot), it will result in an immediate turnover.”
• The 2-minute stalling rule will apply to Level 5/6 teams. [adopted in 2019]
  • During the final two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules will be in effect.
  • The team that is ahead by 4 goals or less will be warned to “Get it in/Keep it in "once the ball in possession has been brought across midfield into its respective goal area.
  • When stalling rules are applied, they will remain in effect until a shot hits the goal pipe, goalie, or the goalie’s equipment in addition to the existing rules for stopping a stall warning. [adopted in 2018]
  • A stall warning can also be issued at any point in the game when an official feels an offensive team is not making an effort to make an attempt at scoring.​
• After a stoppage in play, the game can restart when the defensive player(s) are within 5 yards of the ball carrier. Officials must make an effort to restart play as soon as possible. The new restart rule allows for play to resume while a defensive player is within 5 yards of the player in possession. In all cases the defensive player is required to allow the ball carrier a path to the goal and may not play the ball carrier until a minimum distance of 5 yards has been achieved. [new 2020 rule]
• All stick penalties are non-releasable and 2 minutes in duration. [new 2020 rule]

 

Game Rules Specific to LEVEL 3/4 (using 10U rules)

• Level 3/4 games are played 8 v 8.
  • Teams are expected to play with 2 Attack, 3 Middies, 2 Defenders, and a   Goalie.
• Level 3/4 games will be played on a modified lacrosse field with dimension at or near 90 yards by 40 yards. [adopted by 2013]
• There will be no time-served penalties at Level 3/4. [adopted in 2018]
  • There are no fast breaks on penalties.
  • The official will explain reason for penalty to all players during stoppage, substitute offending players, and change possession of the ball.
• Long poles are not permitted at Level 3/4 games. [adopted in 2017]
• No body checks are allowed at Level 3/4.
  • Level 3/4 players are expected to play the ball and not the man when the ball is loose.
  • When defending a player in possession with the ball, the Level 3/4 defender should use no more than equal pressure to prevent progress.
• One coach from each team is allowed (and encouraged) to be on the field at all times during Level 3/4 games as long as he/she remains within 5 yards of the sideline at all times. [adopted in 2016]
• Substitutions are allowed on all sideline and endline out-of-bounds for all Level 3/4 games.
• Level 3/4 shall require one completed pass be made in the offensive half of the field before a legal shot may be taken. [adopted in 2017]
  • This includes a faceoff man winning the draw; he must make one completed pass.
  • This also includes a player awarded possession at the faceoff X after a penalty, or a goal, or when using the fast-break rule.
  • In the event of a whistle, if the offensive team has made one completed pass, they are not required to complete an additional pass. [adopted in 2018]
  • If one pass has been completed in the offensive end and the defensive team gains possession of the ball but does not successfully clear the ball before losing possession, the original offensive team must complete one additional pass prior to shooting. [adopted in 2019]
• Downward stick checks are allowed at Level 3/4 as long as the checking player does not raise his hands above shoulder height. [adopted in 2019]
• There is no penalty for raking the ball at Level 3/4. [adopted in 2018]
• In the event that a loose ball cannot be picked up due to three or more players being caught in a scrum or scramble in a Level 3/4 game, officials should wait approximately four seconds before stopping play and awarding the ball via the alternate possession rule. [adopted in 2018]
• Unlike 10U USL Youth rules, there are wing players on the faceoff for Level 3/4. [adopted in 2013]
• Unlike 10U USL Youth rules, partial-team substitutions and on-the-fly substitutions are allowed at Level 3/4. [adopted by 2013]

 

Game Rules Specific to LEVEL 1/2 (using 8U rules)

• Level 1/2 games are played 7 v 7. [adopted in 2017]
  • Teams are expected to play with 2 Attack, 2 Middies, 2 Defenders, and a Goalie.
• Level 1/2 games will be played on a modified lacrosse field with dimensions at or near 60yards by 35 yards. [adopted by 2013]
• Games will be played in two 25-minute Running Time halves.
• Level 1/2 goals shall be 4’ x 4’ in size. [adopted in 2017]
  • Towns may use blockers to shrink the net from a full 6’ x 6’ size.
• There will be no time-served penalties at Level 1/2.
  • There are no fast breaks on penalties.
  • The official will explain reason for penalty to all players during stoppage, substitute offending players, and change possession of the ball.
• Long poles are not permitted at Level 1/2 games.
• Downward stick checks are allowed at Level 1/2 as long as the checking player does not raise his hands above shoulder height. [adopted in 2019]
• No body checks are allowed at Level 1/2.
  • Level 1/2 players are expected to play the ball and not the man when the ball is loose.
  • When defending a player in possession with the ball, the Level 1/2 defender should use no more than equal pressure to prevent progress.
• One coach from each team is allowed (and encouraged) to be on the field at all times during Level 1/2 games as long as he/she remains within 5 yards of the sideline at all times. [adopted in 2016]
• Substitutions are allowed on all sideline and endline out-of-bounds for all Level 1/2 games.
•  
• There is no penalty for raking the ball at Level 1/2. [adopted in 2018]
• In the event that a loose ball cannot be picked up due to three or more players being caught in a scrum or scramble in a Level 1/2 game, officials should wait approximately four seconds before stopping play and awarding the ball via the alternate possession rule. [adopted in 2016]
• Unlike 8U USL Youth rules, there are faceoffs at Level 1/2. [adopted by 2013]
• Unlike 8U USL Youth rules, there are off-sides at Level 1/2. [adopted by 2013]
• Unlike 8U USL Youth rules, partial-team substitutions and on-the-fly substitutions are allowed at Level 1/2. [adopted by 2013]

 

MYL Game Procedures and Expectations

• Prior to every MYL game, the two head coaches and the official(s) must meet prior to the game to review the Pre-game checklist and for the coaches to produce their MYL Coach Badge with Certification sticker.
• For MYL Classic games, ALL coaches on the bench must have and be wearing a 2021 MYL Coaching Badge. Once coach from each team must have a badge with Certification sticker.
• For Mass Bay Select games, all adults in the team bench area must have a 2021 MYL Coach Badge WITH Certification sticker on a lanyard, visible during the game.
• The home team is expected to have a dedicated person as time keeper / scorekeeper for game who is stationed at midfield between both team benches.
• The home team must confirm an EMLOA official has been scheduled for the game.
  • The home team is responsible for assigning an Associate Official (AO) to a U9 game as the lead official or to an older level as a second official or for reaching out to EMLOA with assistance in assigning an AO from another town
  • If the assigned EMLOA official fails to show, both coaches will agree on how to proceed.
    • The game should be rescheduled, if possible.
    • Coaches should consider the potential liability and quality of the game if played without a certified official.
  • Towns are encouraged to enlist parents or high-school aged students to become certified EMLOA Officials / Associate Officials.
  • The home coach is expected to pay the official(s) for MYL Classic games at the time of the game.
  • Mass Bay Select officials will be paid by the league, but a post-game report is required by both coaches.
• The home team is responsible for contrasting jersey colors to the opponents’ jerseys and will wear contrasting pinnies if necessary in order to do so.
• At the conclusion of each contest, players are to line up at midfield behind their respective goalies. Keeping their helmets on and only removing their right glove, they are to partake in handshakes (no fist bumps) with the opposing team.