Wheelchair Lacrosse  Rule Book  

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association Rules and Guidelines 2012

I.

Players A. Seven players per team on the filed at all times.

II.

1. Attackmen (2)

3. Defensemen (2)

2. Midfielder (2)

4. Goalie (1)

Positions A. Attack 1. The attackman’s responsibility is to score goals. The attackman generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. 2. A good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and has quick mobility and skills to maneuver around the goal. 3. Each team should have two attackmen on the field during play. B. Midfield 1. The midfielder’s responsibility is to cover the entire field, playing both offense and defense. 2. The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to offense. 3. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are essential. 4. Each team should have two midfielders on the field. C. Defense 1. The defensemen’s responsibility is to defend the goal. 2. The defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game situations. 3. Each team should have two defensemen on the field. D. Goal Keeper: The goalie’s responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. 1. A good goalie also leads the defense by reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. 2. A good goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong voice. 3. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during play.

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

2

III.

Field of Play A. The venue for competitive Wheelchair Lacrosse (WLAX) is a Roller Hockey Rink. The lines come into play as follows: 1. The Red Line is the Midfield Line 2. Blue Lines are the boundary for the Box; Attacking/Defending Zones 3. The goal being used will be the regular goal that is provided on the hockey floor. It shall be 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall. 4. Before play begins the goals are pushed towards mid-field, so the goal line is at the apex of the hockey crease. A line will be drawn that is 7 feet in length from the center of the goal line, forward. A radius is then drawn from that point turning to meet the back of the goal frame, creating the new crease for WLAX. This allows room for open play behind the goal and will prevent a player to place the ball in the goal with out a crease violation.

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

3

IV.

Substitution Zones A. Players who are not participating in the game are rendered to the substitution zone that is outlined on the side of the rink. The Substitution Zone will be outlined with visible tape. 1. The locations of the zones are between the blue and red line. 2. Each zone is on the same side of the field and is to accommodate up to 6 players on each team. B. The zones will not connect 1. Players are not allowed to cross into an opponent’s zone. C. Teams may only release players from the area of the Substitution Zone that is closest to the red line 1. Players cannot enter the game until the player coming off, enters the Substitution Zone. 2. Players who are coming off of the field may enter their teams Substitution Zone at any location. D. If a player is released before the sub has entered the zone, it will result in an offside’s infraction and loss of possession.

V.

Keeping Time A. Time of play will consist of 4 quarters that are 15 minutes each, with stoppage. 1. The definition of Stoppage is that the clock will stop on every whistle. B. Time Outs 1. Each team is granted two 45-second time outs and two 15-second situational substitutions per half. Unused time outs will not carry over. C. Change of Possession 1. If a change of possession occurs in favor of Team A they must clear the ball past midfield and into their teams offensive Attack Zone or Box, also known as the defensive zone of Team B, within a timed 40-second countdown. 2. The ball can leave the Box and be passed back over the blue line once it has entered the Box under the 40-second countdown. D. Time Stoppage 1. The time will run on a stop-clock system. Every time the whistle blows the clock will stop and a restart must be made. National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

4

2. The play clock will be stopped during each penalty whether personal or technical, unless a Play On Situation is granted. 3. The play clock will stop when the ball is thrown out of play. Players who intentionally throw the ball out of play will be charged with a technical foul. E. Play On Situations 1. If a foul is committed and the flag is thrown, time will continue during a Play On Situation, only if: a. The team that is fouled keeps possession of the ball in their offensive attack zone. b. The team who is fouled can maintain the offensive advantage. c. The team who commits the foul touches the ball, the whistle will be blown, the clock stops, the penalty is enforced and a restart is made. F. Restarts 1. Only the player with the ball can initiate a restart. a. Running with the ball, or making a pass initiates the restart and play is live. The restart will begin after the whistle and at the location in the field where the stoppage occurred. b. There will be a 3 second countdown to the restart. c. The restart cannot be a shot on goal. d. The defensemen cannot check or be with in stick length of the player initiating the restart until the 3 second count has expired.

VI.

Rules of Play and Equipment A. Required Equipment 1. The Crosse - The crosse or lacrosse stick, composed of wood, laminated wood or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. a. The lacrosse stick must be a minimum length of 40 inches for attackmen and midfielders and no longer than 56 inches for defensemen. b. The Head of the crosse must be 6.5 10 inches wide, except a goalie head, which may be 10 12 inches wide. c. The pocket of a head 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 sidewall.

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

5

B. The Ball - The ball is an indoor no bounce lacrosse ball and must be made of solid rubber and can be white, yellow or orange. The ball is 7.75 - 8 inches in circumference and 5 - 5.25 ounces. C. The Helmet - A protective helmet, equipped with face mask, chin pad and a cupped four point chin strap fastened to all four hookups, must be worn by all men’s players. All helmets and face masks must be NOCSAE (National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment) approved. D. The Mouthpiece - The mouthpiece must be a highly visible color and is mandatory. E. The Glove - All players are required to wear protective lacrosse gloves. 1. A glove shall be deemed illegal if the material of the palm is cut out leaving the hand exposed. F. Shoulder Pads - All players must wear shoulder pads. 1. Shoulder pads must cover the rib cage and top half of the shoulder, covering the collarbone. G. Goalie Gear – Goalies must wear the following equipment. 1. Chest protector 2. Shin guards 3. A protective athletic supportive cup is not required, but encouraged. 4. Throat protector, fixed to the helmet 5. Chest protector VII. WLAX Personal Fouls The penalty for a personal foul results in a one to three minute suspension from play. That player must remain in the penalty box for the dictated amount of time. Possession of the ball goes to the team that was fouled and a one man up advantage is in effect. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game. The referee will determine the amount of time a player is rendered to the penalty box. A. Personal Fouls 1. Slashing - Occurs when a player’s stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick. a. A player cannot check an opponent with 2 hands on the stick, tomahawk style. b. Stick checking with the butt end of the lacrosse stick is considered slashing. Example 1: Player A swings and slashes at Player B with the ball making no attempt to check the ball. 2. Tripping - Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the lacrosse stick. National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

6

a. Includes placing the stick into the spokes of the wheel or into the frame, contacting a defensive player with the purpose of hindering or gaining advantage. B.

Illegal Actions with Crosse 1.

Players cannot take part in the game in any manner, without possession of his lacrosse stick, except for a substitution. 2. Players may not throw the lacrosse stick to block a pass or shot on goal. Throwing the stick at the ball or another player shall be deemed unsportsmanlike conduct. C.

Definition of a Penalty Shot 1. A penalty shot is designed to restore a scoring opportunity which was lost as a result of a foul being committed by the offending team, based on the parameters as set out in these rules. Any dressed player on the offended team may take the penalty shot.

VIII. Technical Fouls The penalty for a technical foul will result in up to a 30 second penalty and or loss of the ball. A. Holding - Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent using his chair or grabbing an opponent’s chair, or lacrosse stick. Example 1: Player A uses his chair to hold Player B in a stationary position. Example 2: Player A grabs and holds players B lacrosse stick or chair to gain an advantage or re-position. Example 3: Player A is behind Player B and close enough that Player A cannot make a full radius turn. B. Interference - Occurs when a player hinders the free movement of an opponent who does not have possession of the ball. Example 1: Player A clips or blocks Player B from his position and prevents his motion to move freely. C. Offside - Occurs when a team does not have at least three players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least two players on its offensive side of the midfield line. Example 1: Team A takes possession of the ball and Team B has more than 5 players in their defensive half. Example 2: Team A takes possession of the ball and has more than 4 players in their offensive half. National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

7

D. Pushing - Occurs when a player uses his chair to push or arms to shove a player from behind. 1. A player with possession of the ball may not stiff arm or fend off a defender using his hands, also known as warding off. E. Obstruction - Occurs when an offensive player moves or rolls as a blocker to give a teammate an advantage. 1. Moving screens are not allowed. 2. A proper pick or screen is made when the player making the pick is in position and forces the defender to move around him. Example 1: Obstruction is called on Player A because he was still under motion and not in position, making contact with Player B who is defending a Player A teammate with the ball. F. Touching the ball 1. Players may not touch or handle the ball with their hands while it is in play. Handling of the ball is to be done with the lacrosse stick only. a. The exception is the goalkeeper while both he and the ball are inside the crease. G. Warding Off - Occurs when a player with possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of a defender’s stick check or chair. 1. Player’s may only raise the elbow to create space, not extend the arm or hands. Example 1: Player A, who has possession of the ball reaches out to defend a check from Player B while making a pass or shot on goal. H. Illegal Procedure - Any action on the part of players or substitutes of a technical nature that is not in conformity with the rules and regulations governing the play of the game shall be termed illegal procedure. I.

Leveraging – Occurs when a player uses his stick against the body or chair of an opponent to make a turn or re-position. Example1: Player A presses or leverages himself by using his stick against Player B to turn into the play or gain a position advantage.

J.

Stalling - Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball without conducting normal offensive play. 1. A team may not stall or slow down play to prevent a turnover or intentionally run out the clock.

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

8

IX.

Face Offs A. Face-offs are to done traditional style by placing the crosses together so the back of each head meets with the ball in between players mesh at shoulder to head high. 1. The ball is to be tossed, or raked out after the whistle blows, giving a team the chance to gain possession. a. Face off’s are done at after each goal and at the beginning of each quarter

X.

Wheelchair Regulations A. The required specs meeting the National WLAX Association legal chair requirements will mirror those standards held to the NWBA (National Wheelchair Basketball Association. B. Seat Height 1. The height of the seat rail must be no more than 21 inches. Measurement must be made from ground or court to the top of the seat rail bar (highest point) with player in the chair. 2. The wing or roll bar that projects forward the furthest and is the first point of contact with another wheelchair in head on contact must be at a height of not more than 5 inches from the ground or field. C. Straps and Belts 1. A strap must be attached firmly and drawn taut to the telescope bar of the foot rest platform. 2. This strap shall measure no less than one and one half inches in width and the bottom of the strap must be attached within six inches of the foot rests. 3. In the case of all players, this strap should be drawn taut so that a foot may not be used as a brake. D. Cushions 1. Use of a cushion is condoned, being of common understanding that it is for therapeutic reasons specifically. As such, it shall be composed of any therapeutic material as made by popular manufacturers, and shall not exceed four inches at its highest point (thickness). 2. Pneumatic cushions and contoured cushions are permissible providing they are commercially manufactured for therapeutic use and do not exceed thickness restrictions (above). 3. Cushions composed of non therapeutic materials, such as hard (non pliable) rubber, wood, or other solid composition, shall not be acceptable. In all situations, the decision of the officials shall be final. 4. The footrest must have rounded or smooth corners. Door bumpers, knobs, projections of folding footrest, or other projection from the body of the footrest, which may readily become entangled in the wheels and/or spokes of another chair, or used to hook and/or hold an opponent, shall not be allowed. National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

9

E. Chair Padding 1. Any chair equipped with either a horizontal bar behind the backrest or push handles extending to the rear, must have these areas sufficiently padded so as to prevent injury to another player. F.

Anti-Tips 1. A chair is permitted to have anti-tip casters attached to the underside or rear of the chair. The lowest point of the anti-tip caster cannot exceed 1” from the floor nor can any part of the anti-tip caster project from the chair rearward so that it would extend past any part of the rear wheels.

National Wheelchair Lacrosse Association  4142 Maryland St. San Diego, CA 92103  *  619 807 9327  *  www.wheelchairlacrosse.com  *  [email protected] 

10