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
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
USA Lacrosse Youth RuleS FOR STICKS
Lacrosse sticks have specific rules for both the head and the shaft to keep the game fair and safe. Review the size, stringing, and length guidelines below to make sure your player’s stick is legal.
HEAD
HEAD WIDTH: 6-10”
SIDEWALL HEIGHT: No more than 2”
POCKET DEPTH: Ball’s top must stay above sidewall bottom
SIDEWALL STRINGS: Only one per side
SHOOTING STRINGS: Within 4” of top of head
U & V STRINGS: Not allowed
HANGING MATERIAL: No more than 2”
LENGTH
5–8th (10U/14U)
POSITION: Attack / Midfield
SHAFT LENGTH: 30” – 32”
TOTAL SHAFT LENGTH: 40”– 42”
————
POSITION: Defense (Longpole)
SHAFT LENGTH: 50” – 60”
TOTAL STICK LENGTH: 52”– 72”
————
POSITION: Goalie
SHAFT LENGTH: 30” – 40”
TOTAL STICK LENGTH: 40”– 72”
LENGTH
K–4th (8U/10U)
POSITION: All
SHAFT LENGTH: 26” – 30”
TOTAL STICK LENGTH: 37”– 42”
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.