Divisions, Rules & Skill Goals

K-1st Grade (8U)

Format Overview

  • 4v4 format (No goalies in crease)

  • Field size: 60x35 yards (cross field)

  • Goals: 3x3 with 6 ft. crease

  • Game timing: 10-minute running quarters

  • Equipment: Full protective equipment as required by USA Lacrosse

Key Rules

  • No offside rule - All players free to roam entire field

  • Face-offs occur to start all periods Only

  • Restart – Team with ball starts at Goal Line Extended. Defensive team starts on their side.

  • Full team substitutions during dead balls (encouraged but not strictly enforced)

Focus Areas

  • Basic catching, throwing, scooping, cradling

  • Simple spacing, basic rules

  • Fun, engagement, love of the game

Stick Skill Goals coming out of 1st Grade

  • Wall Ball: 50 catches right-handed, 10 left-handed

  • Be able to cradle in off-hand for a few minutes

2-3RD Grade (10U)

Format Overview

  • 6v6 format (No Goalies)

  • “Hector the Rejecter" used instead of goalies

  • 2 middies, 2 attack, 2 defense

  • Field size: 80x40 yards

  • Standard 6x6 goals with 9 ft. crease

  • Equipment: Full equipment

  • Long sticks permitted (47"-54" length, limit 2/team) but not recommended

  • Game timing: 10-minute running quarters, 4-minute halftime

Key Rules

  • Offside: 2 players on offensive half, 3 on defensive half

  • Face-offs standard (start all quarters and after goals)

  • Each 2/3 coach/team responsible to bring their own "hector" to games

  • No time-serving penalties (player leaves field)

Focus Areas

  • Strong/weak hand development

  • Basic offense and defense, positions

  • Fundamentals at game speed

  • Game IQ, situational training

Stick Skill Goals coming out of 3rd Grade

  • Wall Ball: 100 catches strong-hand & 50 off-hand, 30-Cross Hand, 20 Twisters strong-hand & 5 off-hand, 10 one-hand throws & 5 off-hand

  • Off-hand throwing, catching, scooping, cradling 50-75% proficiency

3-4TH Grade (12U)

Format Overview

  • 7v7 format with goalies

  • 2 middies, 2 attack, 2 defense, 1 goalie

  • Field size: 80x40 yardsStandard 6x6 goals with 9 ft. crease

  • Equipment: Full equipment, NOCSAE lacrosse ball

  • Long sticks permitted (47"-54" length, limit 2/team)

  • Game timing: 10-minute running quarters, 4-minute halftime

Key Rules

  • Offside: 2 players on offensive half, 3 on defensive half

  • Face-offs standard (start all quarters and after goals)

  • Defensive players allowed through crease if not intentionally blocking shots

  • No offensive players in crease, but may reach stick in to pick up loose ball

  • No time-serving penalties (player leaves field)

  • Body Checking & Stick Checking:

  • NO body checking allowed (legal holds, pushes, positioning allowed)

  • NO one-handed stick checks

  • Legal checks must be on opponent's crosse or gloved hand when opponent has the ball or is within 3 yards of loose ball

Focus Areas

  • Team offense, transition play, defensive systems

  • Game IQ, situational training

  • Position-specific skills

  • Multiple offensive formations

Stick Skill Goals coming out of 4th Grade

  • Wall Ball: 100 catches both-hands, 100-Cross Hand, 50 Twisters & 20 off-hand, 25 one-hand throws & 10 off-hand, 10 BTB strong-hand

  • Off-hand throwing, catching, scooping, cradling 75-80% proficiency

5-6TH Grade (12U)

Format Overview

  • Standard 10v10 format (A Team & B Team divisions)

  • 7v7 format for C division (2A, 2M, 2D, 1G on 80x40 field)

  • Full field (standard size)

  • Equipment: Full equipment

  • Long sticks permitted (52"-72")

  • Game timing: 12-minute running quarters with stop time in last 2 minutes

Key Rules

  • Standard rules with some modifications

  • Offside: 3 players on defensive half, 4 on offensive half (10v10)

  • Offside in 7v7: 2 on offensive half, 3 on defensive half

  • Limited body checking permitted (no lowering shoulder, no excessive force)

  • One-handed stick checks are permitted (new 2024 rule)

  • Two 4-minute OT periods if tied (sudden death)

Focus Areas

  • Team offense, transition play, defensive systems

  • Game IQ, situational training

  • Position-specific skills

  • Multiple offensive formations

Stick Skill Goals coming out of 6th Grade

  • Wall Ball: 100 catches both-hands, 100-Cross Hand, 100 Twisters both-hands, 25 one-hand throws both hands, 50 BTB & 20 off-hand

  • Off-hand throwing, catching, scooping, cradling 80-100% proficiency

7-8TH Grade (14U)

Format Overview

  • Standard 10v10 format (A & B divisions)

  • 7v7 format for C division (2A, 2M, 2D, 1G on 80x40 field)

  • Full field (standard size)

  • Equipment: Full equipment

  • Long sticks permitted (52"-72")

  • Game timing: 12-minute running quarters with stop time in last 2 minutes

Key Rules

  • Standard NFHS rules with some modifications

  • Limited body checking permitted (no lowering shoulder, no excessive force)

  • One-handed stick checks are permitted (new 2024 rule)

  • Two 4-minute OT periods if tied (sudden death)

Focus Areas

  • Motion offense with read and react principles

  • Two-man game concepts

  • Position-specific skill development

  • Multiple offensive formations

Stick Skill Goals coming out of 8th Grade

  • Wall Ball: 200 Catches both hands, 200-Cross hand, 200 Twisters both hands, 100 one-handed both hands, 100 BTB both hands

  • Ambidextrous throwing, catch, scooping, cradling

COACHING RULES

Registration & Certification

  • All coaches must register on www.IMLAXutah.orgRegister as "Team Staff/Volunteer" NOT as Participant

  • USA Lacrosse provides membership and background check fees for head coaches

All Coaches must complete:

  • USA Lacrosse Bronze Level Certification

  • Background check with Spectrum Security Group (www.specgroup.org)

  • Must submit background check by Feb 24th to receive badge by mail

Badge Protocol

  • All coaches must visibly display their IMLAX badge on sideline

  • Coaches without badge but with proof of background check:

    • May remain but opposing team awarded ball in place of opening face-off

  • Coaches without badge AND no proof of background check:

    • Must leave sideline or team receives penalty

Player Expectations

  • Be at practice consistently

    • Player development is a key component of our program

    • Missing practices should be communicated with coaches

  • Work on their game outside of practice

    • Players need to work on skills and fundamentals at home

    • Unsure what to work on? Ask coaches for additional instruction

  • Give best effort in games and practices

    • Control effort, intensity, and coachability

    • 100% effort from everyone elevates the entire group

  • Be a great teammate with proper conduct

    • Display proper sportsmanship

    • Use appropriate language

    • Respect the game of lacrosse

    • Represent Wasatch lacrosse professionally

A young lacrosse player in black sports gear and helmet, holding a lacrosse stick, standing against a black background with yellow dotted pattern and torn paper effect.

PARENT Expectations

  • Be a positive and professional role model

    • Cheer properly for all players on the field

    • Avoid disparaging remarks toward referees, opposing players, and coaches

    • Set the tone for what youth sports should be

  • Support your child's ability to be successful

    • Get players to practice on time

    • Ensure they have all needed gear

    • Help communicate with coaches about absences

    • Support coaches and their ability to develop players

  • Direct questions appropriately

    • Communicate with team coaches and program directors at the appropriate time

    • Encourage athletes to take ownership of talking with coaches

    • Most issues can be solved with communication and understanding expectations

  • Encourage practice away from team events

    • Watch college / PLL together with your child

    • Take them to the park for extra practice

    • Use drills available online or ask coaches for suggestions

A coach and a young hockey player in a helmet and protective gear, on an outdoor rink. The image is in black and white with yellow graphic elements.

Lacrosse Terms for New Parents

Field Terms

  • Crease: The circle around the goal. Offensive players can’t step in. Only defenders and the goalie (if used) can be inside.

  • Goal Line Extended (GLE): The imaginary line running from the sides of the goal to the sidelines. Restart positions often start here.

  • Face-off: A method to start play at the beginning of each quarter and after goals.

  • Sideline: The outer boundary of the field. Ball out of bounds here stops play.

Player Positions

  • Middie (Midfielder): Plays both offense and defense. Runs the most.

  • Attack: Offensive players focused on scoring.

  • Defense: Players who protect their goal.

  • Long Stick: A defensive stick that’s longer (47”-54”) to help block passes and shots.

Game Play

  • Offside: Teams must keep a set number of players on each half of the field. Going over is called offside.

  • Ground Ball: When the ball is on the ground and players scoop it up with their sticks.

  • Cradle: The side-to-side motion that keeps the ball in the stick’s pocket while running.

  • Scoop: Picking up a ground ball by getting low and moving the stick through it.

  • Dodge: A move to get past a defender (like a juke or fake).

  • Substitution: Players can swap in and out during dead balls or while the game is running (depending on level).

Scoring & Rules

  • Shot: An attempt to score.

  • Goal: When the ball fully crosses into the net.

  • Penalty: Rules violation that can remove a player from the field temporarily or result in a turnover.

STICK PARTS

  • Head: The plastic top of the stick that holds the pocket and is used to catch, carry, and throw the ball.

  • Pocket: The mesh (or stringed area) inside the head that holds the ball.

  • Shaft: The long handle part of the stick.

  • Short Stick: Standard length for most players.

  • Long Stick: Used mainly by defenders, longer for better reach.