LondonMastersLacrosse Operating Rules rev 2.0
20140313 – rev 1.0 – copied in old <2007 behaviour and playing rules
20140523 – rev 2.0 – updated old, old rules to current OML rules modified with LML extras
20140814 – rev 3.0 – added rule clarifications for dangerous shot and faceoffs.
Masters Rules
Ontario Masters Lacrosse Council / Association Rules of Play (2013)
LondonMastersLacrosse (LML) local modifications
PARTICIPANT BEHAVIOR
1. All players acknowledge that there is an absolute prohibition against alcohol in the dressing rooms and the facilities. The failure to adhere to this rule may have serious consequences – possibly the cancellation of floor time for the remainder of the current year or the elimination of floor time next year.
2. Given that breach of City of London (CoL) facility rules associated with participant behavior and use of alcohol seriously jeopardizes the continued availability of floor time and thereby the existence of the league, the breach of these rules will be considered serious misconduct subject to disciplinary action at the sole discretion of the LML council.
GAME PLAY
1. The first player to a loose ball towards the boards is awarded possession.
2. There will be a 5 second possession rule applied. The rule is waived if the player receives the ball on a clear breakaway with only the Goaltender to beat.
3. The ball carrier may not run past more than one defender when advancing towards the net. Loss of possession. This does not pertain to lateral movement across the floor. This rule also does not apply inside the defensive zone restraining line.
4. No team may use a zone defense when teams are at even strength. First time is a warning. Any subsequent zone defense will result in a bench minor penalty to the defensive team.
5. Team in possession of the ball retains possession for restart after stoppage for any injury.
6. After a penalty to one player, play shall resume with the non-offending team having possession at center.
7. Face-offs: Players other than the players facing off may not enter the restraining lines before the ball leaves the two foot face-off circle. Face-off players may not kick, hit, hold or step on the stick of an opponent. Players facing off may not step past their restraining lines before teh ball leaves the 2 foot circle. (CLARIFICATION – Pretty well anything goes at the face off other than deliberate, obvious slashing or movement past the restraining lines). If on a draw the ball becomes stuck in a player’s stick, possession is awarded to the other team.
8. Dangerous shot: Every player is to be responsible for his shot. Hitting a player whether it is a team-mate, an opponent, or an official, will result in a penalty shot and a 2 minute penalty. Hitting a goalie from behind the net will be considered a dangerous shot. (CLARIFICATION – Any shot that hits the goalie from a player standing behind the goal line will be considered a dangerous shot). This will count as 1 penalty towards the total of 3 per game, however, a 2nd dangerous shot penalty by the same player will result in his disqualification for the remainder of that game. If a disqualification takes place, another player from that team must serve the 2 minute penalty. The dangerous shot rule does not apply if the player that is hit with the shot steps in front of the shot or is inside the goal crease, or in the case of deflections or rebounds.
9. There is absolutely no deliberate stick or body contact. There are no picks allowed. All deliberate contact from anywhere on the floor will be penalized.
10. An interference penalty will be assessed to any player who deliberately holds his stick in the face of an opponent.
11. In the event of a follow through penalty on a shot, any goal scored will not count.
12. Any unsportsmanlike penalty will result in a penalty shot, plus a 2 minute minor. This is a stackable penalty so if the team is short handed the player goes to the box and penalty starts when the first penalty is done. The unsportsmanlike penalty is released with a goal. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty counts as 2 penalties towards the total of 3 penalties in a game. If during the course of the game any player comments to a referee are seen to be in a negative light and/or directing the way the game should be called, the referee may stop play and give that team a warning. Any subsequent ‘calling’ of the game from that team would result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. With the warning a possession change will result if the offending team has possession at the time. If the remarks come from the bench and the player cannot be identified it will be called as a bench minor. There is zero tolerance for unsportsmanlike conduct/ verbal abuse of officials. Referees have been instructed to issue unsportsmanlike penalties for any on floor complaining, verbal abuse or anything that detracts from everyone enjoying the London HL Masters experience. Referees are not required to give you a caution before issuing penalties or expulsions – you have been warned. These penalties are completely at the referees discretion.
13. Any penalties to the ball carrier during a breakaway shall result in a penalty shot. If no goal is scored play will re-start with possession to the non- offending team at center.
14. If there is a penalty to the ball carrier on a breakaway and there is no goaltender on the floor, a goal will be awarded.
15. No team shall be more than one player short as a result of penalties. Any subsequent penalties shall result in penalty shots being awarded to the non-offending team. If the penalty is a major penalty, 2 shots will be taken. The second penalty is recognized when the whistle blows to stop any delayed penalty. If no goal is scored, play will restart with possession to the non-offending team at center.
16. Any player receiving 3 penalties in the game will be expelled for the balance of the game.
17. Any player receiving a major penalty, will be expelled from the game plus the game following.
18. Any player penalized for fighting and deemed to be the aggressor will be expelled from the game, and suspended from LondonMastersLacrosse the remainder of the season or longer at the discretion of the LML council.
19. Any face to face confrontation of an aggressive manner shall be deemed a 2 minute delay of game, plus a 10 minute mis-conduct. If the situation elevates, it goes to a 2 + 10 + game misconduct.
20. Suspensions for serious infractions are at the sole discretion of the LML council – generally any GM will result in a minimum 1 game suspension and any expulsion will result in a minimum 3 game suspension.
21. On a whistle for change of possession the ball must be set down immediately. Failure to do so may result in a delay of game penalty.