Updated: Feb. 2023
MISSION STATEMENT:
South Sound Lacrosse (SSL) supports youth lacrosse for boys in 3rd through 8th grade who live in the South Sound area. Our mission is to develop our young players into both solid lacrosse players and good citizens. As such, our programs focus on providing a positive coaching environment that builds both self-esteem and modern lacrosse skills.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF SSL:
The responsibilities of the South Sound Lacrosse (SSL) shall be to organize, develop and promote boys youth lacrosse in Washington. It shall further be the responsibility of the SSL to supervise and administer boys’ youth lacrosse in Washington.
SECTION I
South Sound Lacrosse ADMINISTRATION
1) SSL will be comprised of organizations that are independent with their own board of directors and financial resources to fund their own program.
2) The name South Sound Lacrosse refers to the league as a whole. Organizations operate under their own name with their own identity. SSL allows organizations to share in the planning and decision making while playing under the same rules and regulations.
3) SSL has a policy that we DO NOT share the coaches or players contact lists with anyone. This is a matter of privacy and people who give their email addresses to SSL have an expectation that it will not be passed on to for profit organizations, non-profit or companies.
SECTION II
COSTS, DUES AND FEES
1) The SSL Executive Committee will determine League dues and fees and present all financials in a transparent manner to the Board of Directors for approval annually. Every team in SSL will pay these dues and fees to the league Treasurer on the date announced by the Executive Committee. Failure to pay regular fees or dues shall cause the club to be on probation until all fees and dues are paid.
2) Each SSL organization will agree to a year-end reconciliation accounting process. Within that process all credits and charges will be applied to the organization’s account and if there is an outstanding balance, said organization will pay the amount due in a timely manner. Examples of credits and charges would include things like referee no shows (credits) and referee for extra scheduled games (charges).
3) All home field scheduling and home field use costs are the responsibilities of each organization.
SECTION III
ORGANIZATION ELIGIBILITY
1) SSL is comprised of youth lacrosse programs that are generally in the South Puget Sound area. To be eligible for membership, the youth program must serve an area where there currently is not a membership program that is established. The determination of underserved will be determined by the SSL Board of Directors.
2) Programs that wish to join the SSL and that meet the geographical requirements above, may apply to the Board of Directors for membership. Applications must be submitted by the December meeting and it will take a two-thirds majority vote by the SSL Board of Directors (each member organization receives one vote).
3) Each new member organization will be on a one-year probationary term. At the end of the probationary term the SSL Board of Directors will then take a vote at the pre-season meeting. A majority vote will be required to give the new member organization permanent status.
4) No organization may be expelled from SSL without a majority vote by the SSL Board of Directors.
5) The following conditions may be grounds for a motion to expel an organization:
a. An organization shows a repeated disrespect for the by-laws, rules and codes set forth by the SSL Board of Directors.
b. Repeated attempts are made by the SSL Board of Directors to get the offending organization into compliance and the offending organization refuses to correct the problems.
c. At the end of season meeting with the SSL Board of Directors and the organization in question in attendance, the issue will be debated and discussed. An agreement can be reached to correct the problems or the SSL Board of Directors call for a silent majority vote if no agreement can be reached. The result of the vote will be final.
6) If an organization is expelled, a letter from the SSL Board of Directors will be sent to the expelled organization president detailing the reasons. An expelled organization can re-apply for membership after a one-year period.
7) It is mandatory that all SSL organizations have team liability/medical insurance. If a team/franchise or organization is found not to have liability insurance, they will be immediately suspended from all league functions.
SECTION IV
PLAYER DIVISIONS & TEAM ELIGIBILITY, ROSTERS, COACHES ELIGIBILITY
1) South Sound Lacrosse will be based on the following three (3) divisions based on grade.
3/4 Division – 3rd and 4th grade players
· The player must be currently enrolled in either 3rd or 4th grade of the current school year. A 2nd grader can play only if that player is wait listed until registration closes and the addition of that player to the team would not displace a 3rd or 4th grader from the team. Allowing a 2nd grader to participate is also at the discretion of the club and coach.
5/6 Division – 5th and 6th grade players
· The player must be currently enrolled in either 5th or 6th grade of the current school year.
7/8 Division – 7th and 8th grade players
· The player must be currently enrolled in either 7th or 8th grade of the current school year.
2) No player can play up a division unless needed to field a team due to low registration numbers. (Exception for 2nd graders listed above)
3) It is the responsibility of each organization to verify the grade of each player it registers. In the event of a dispute, grade will be verified using the participant’s school or state records.
4) A player can only be listed on one team roster per season.
5) The policy for team rosters is listed below:
All Grade Divisions - Team rosters must be set prior to the start of the season. Teams will include a picture team roster in the team scorebook.
3/4 Division - Swing players are allowed if a team at game time has less than 10 players from their team roster to play the game. The team coach may add swing players to the games roster up to a maximum of 10 total players. If team roster players arrive during the game, the swing players must be removed from the bench and not continue to play in the game. If using swing players, the maximum number of players available for game play, is 10 players. The coach must notify the opposition coach that they are using swing players and which player are swing players. Swing players must be from the same club, from the same grade division or one grade below the game team.
5/6 and 7/8 Divisions - Swing players are allowed if a team at game time has less than 13 players from their team roster to play the game. The team coach may add swing players up to a maximum of 13 players total for the game roster. If team roster players arrive during the game, the swing players must be removed from the bench and not continue to play in the game. If using swing players, the maximum number of players available for game play, is 13 players. The coach must notify the opposition coach that they are using swing players and which player are swing players. Swing players must be from the same club, from the same grade division or one grade below the game team.
6) Each player at all grade levels shall have 4 practices prior to the first game played at the beginning of each season.
7) All coaches must submit to a National background check through US Lacrosse with host organization before having contact with players, unless that person is a minor under the age of 18.
It is required that the Head Coach for each team be at least 18 years of age, have a valid US Lacrosse Coaching number, have passed a National background check though US Lacrosse, US Lacrosse Level 1 Certification, Positive Coaching Alliance Course, Abuse Prevention and must be certified in CPR and First Aid and hold a valid current card. Assistant coaches that are under the age of 18 must be listed as a coach with a valid US Lacrosse number and shall complete the Safe Sport training.
Teams shall have no more than 4 coaches/people in the bench area during a sanctioned SSL game. Only the head coach will address the officials and the table. Any coach or adult in the bench area must wear a laminated lanyard identifying their name, US Lacrosse number, affiliated club and position. This lanyard will represent that they have passed a background check, have a US Lacrosse number and can interact with the children in the bench area during a game.
All assistant coaches are required to have a valid US Lacrosse Coaching number, have passed a National background check though US Lacrosse, current Abuse Prevention and be certified in CPR and First Aid and hold a valid current card.
Each team will have a properly stocked first aid kit, emergency contact list for all team players and a cell phone on the sidelines of all SSL league games and practices. For purposes of contacting emergency vehicles, each team will always have the property address of the playing field available. All clubs will have a coach of conduct to include, coaches setting a positive example at practice and games, respecting officials/players/parents and steps to be taken when a coach violates the Code of Conduct.
SECTION V
BOUNDARIES
One of the main objectives of the programs comprising the SSL is to promote Lacrosse at the youth levels (grades K-8) while preparing our youth players to play with their respective High School programs whenever possible. In support of this, youth programs will draw from geographic boundaries set by the league and will generally align with High School catchment areas. All clubs within the South Sound League must clearly define their catchment areas on their website and during the registration process. Clubs must present to the SSL Board any catchment area changes and receive two-thirds vote of approval for the requested changes. Catchment area disputes between clubs will be presented to the SSL board for resolution.
The Following criteria will be used to determine the program/club eligibility for each player:
1) The first determining factor will be based on current school of attendance. Players must play with the program associated or affiliated with their school of attendance within their home club catchment area. A High Schools catchment area is defined as all public schools (Elementary & Junior High) that naturally feed into a common High School.
Example of a single High Schools catchment area:
HIGH SCHOOL
JUNIOR HIGH JUNIOR HIGH
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
In the event a player attends a “shared” school that feeds into two or more High Schools the players home address will be used to determine program eligibility in which they participate. A program that registers a player(s) from a shared school must notify the other club to which shares that school of all players registered to include registration information.
Any player receiving an approved academic or athletic waiver to attend a school outside their normal catchment area will register and play for the program associated with the new attending school. The players must be able to provide a copy of an approved school district waiver upon registration to the new program.
Players enrolled and participating in specialty education programs that do not require a district attendance waiver during Elementary and Junior High that naturally returns to their Home High School will continue to register and play with their home program. These programs include but are not limited to the following examples. (STEM, PAGE, QUEST, or other Special Learning Programs)
2) Players attending a non-public school, private school, tribal school, home schooled and the like, that does not have their own youth lacrosse program will default to the player's home club catchment area as define by the residence of the player. In many cases home schooled students are permitted to participate in school based athletic programs. In this situation the student would register and play with the program associated or affiliated with that school.
3) There are several public schools (K-8) within the State of Washington that are not associated or aligned directly with a High School. In this situation players will register with the club/program that is associated or affiliated within that geographical boundary area. In the event strong numbers allow, a club may request to form to provide the student athletes within that school’s geographic boundaries or catchment area. These boundaries will be based on the school’s catchment area or independent school district depending on what’s best for the forming program, neighboring programs and the league.
4) In the unusual circumstance a youth player attends a school or resides in an area that is not covered by any lacrosse organization or program, that player will register on the waitlist of the closest bordering program based on the home address of the player.
5) During years of a School boundary change the SSL board will carefully examine these new boundaries along with the effective club/program to determine if any changes are required. In most cases a program’s rising 8th graders would be allowed to choose between staying with their current organization during their final year of youth Lacrosse or choosing to move to the new organization when directly affected by a district boundary change.
6) No program will actively “recruit” players who do not meet eligibility requirements for their program as listed above. The players must attend a school that is within the programs catchment area or meet the address requirements to qualify to play for a program. Recruiting being defined as contact by a Coach/Board member or anyone (parent, player) with knowledge of an otherwise ineligible player in attempt to influence in any way to become eligible for a program outside their program.
7) Wait lists: If a program is full and cannot accept a player onto the roster, the home program may choose to create a waitlist. If this occurs, that waitlisted player may apply to programs outside their home program pending acceptance off the wait list. The outside program/club must be the next closest program/club based on the players home address.
If that player is accepted onto an outside program, he must obtain a written confirmation from their home program no more than three weeks prior to the first scheduled league games confirming that they cannot accept the player for that season (and have not accepted any subsequent wait listed players). Any such exception for a waitlisted player is valid for one-year only. Further, no outside player can be accepted unless all in-program players are already on the roster. There are no grandfather rights to retain this player on an ongoing basis. These final two conditions are to ensure that no outside program players are accepted until all in-program players are accepted (even those that apply after the “official” registration date). Exception: If a program has an early registration period for returning players and a returning player did not register during this period and thus has become wait listed, then that player may not play for an outside program.
8) Hardship Waiver Request: A player may request waiver to play for an outside program due to hardship. The outside or accepting program must first request and receive a release of the player from the player's home program. Once received, the SSL Representative of the outside or accepting program must then notify the SSL Executive Board during the next scheduled league meeting of a proposed waiver. When presenting this waiver, the representative must be prepared to share any clarify details pertaining to the waiver. Upon completion of these steps listed ,the waiver will be voted on by the Board of Directors. In the event two or more clubs are unable to agree the matter will be presented to the SSL Board of Directors and must receive a two-thirds majority for an approval from the SSL Board of Directors. This vote must take place no less than three weeks prior to the first SSL game for that player's division.
*Note, any request for a hardship waiver must show a true hardship to the player and/or family. Waiver consideration will not be considered solely based on a convenience or preference. All approved waivers are valid for one season only. If approved, the waivered player must return to their home program the following season or resubmit a waiver request.
9) All boundary complaints or questions will be reviewed by a boundary committee formed by the president of SSL. Any willful violation will result in the offending team being removed from the end of season tournament and the parent club placed on probation for the following season.
*If a violation is found and the offending club fixes the boundary dispute prior to the next scheduled game for that team, no sanctions against that team/club will be made. Any games played with the ineligible player will still result in a forfeit and be recorded as a 1-0 win for the opposing team.
SECTION VI
PLAYING RULES
Playing rules will be US Lacrosse rules with the following exceptions and clarifications:
1) Required Player Equipment
a) All players must be suited in full uniform. A uniform consists of a CERTIFIED NOCSAE helmet with a warning sticker, mouth guard, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, team jersey, and shoes. All male participants must also wear a protective cup. Goalies will wear appropriate chest protection and throat protection.
b) Players are not allowed to wear jewelry during practice or games. Emergency I.D. bracelets may be worn but must be covered with white athletic tape.
c) Only shoes with pliable, molded, non-detachable cleats will be allowed. An illegal shoe, defined by the Referee Association, is a shoe with cleats that can produce a cutting edge. Hard plastic cleats are not permitted.
d) Arm pads are required at all divisions for each player. Goalies are not required to wear arm pads.
2) Rules by Division
a. 7/8 Divisions, US Lacrosse 14U Rules Apply
b. 5/6 Divisions, US Lacrosse 12U Rules Apply, except where listed below:
--US Lacrosse rule 4.21 will be exempt, “on the fly” substitutions will be allowed.
--The 20/10 rule will be utilized for clears
c. 3/4 Divisions will follow the US Lacrosse U10 7v7 Rules, except where listed below:
--Crosse Dimensions: The Crosse may be 37 to 42 inches (Short Crosse)
--Long crosses are not allowed
--“On the fly” substitutions are allowed
--There must be two attempted passes after a face-off
--Players will serve their penalties and the team will play man-down
--Only the wing midfielder will be released on the face-off whistle
--One time-out per half
3) Responsibilities of the home team
a. Game balls and adequate number of balls must be maintained at the end lines and sidelines.
4) Time Factors and Scoring For 5/6 and 7/8 Divisions
a. Four quarters, 10-minute stop clock, and sudden victory 4-minute overtime periods will be utilized.
b. Overtime – in the event of a tie, two (2) four (4) minute (sudden victory) overtime periods will be played. If, after two (2) overtime periods the score is tie, additional sudden victory overtime periods may be played until a winner is determined; provided time permits and coaches and officials agree.
c. Timeouts- two (2) timeouts are permitted per half, one (1) timeout for overtime.
5) Time Factors and Scoring For 3/4 Division
a. Four 8-minute stop clock, and sudden victory 4-minute overtime periods can be utilized.
b. Overtime – in the event of a tie, two (2) four (4) minute (sudden victory) overtime periods will be played. If, after two (2) overtime periods the score is tie, additional sudden victory overtime periods may be played until a winner is determined; provided time permits and coaches and officials agree.
c. Timeouts- one (1) two-minute timeout is permitted per half, one (1) timeout for overtime.
6) Play of the Game
The game is to be played with emphasis on the proper development of stick, team, and sportsmanship skills:
a. Body checking is permitted at the 7/8th grade level only, however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. Definition – Take–out checks: Checks in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to take out (*put on the ground) the other player. No body checking is permitted at the 3/4 and 5/6 grade level.
b. In any game and at any point during a game when there is a five-point lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the five-point lead is maintained. This can be waived by the coach of the trailing team.
c. Fouling Out: Any player who accumulates 3 personal fouls or 5 minutes in personal foul penalty time shall be disqualified from the game. A substitute for that player may enter the game when the disqualified player would have been permitted to re-enter had he not fouled out.
d. All Divisions, Players will serve penalties with the team playing man down
e. Referees will conduct stick checks at the end of each quarter (2 minute non-releasable penalty for illegal stick shall be enforced)
7) Conduct/Personal Fouls
a. Ejection: A player, coach or anyone officially connected with the team shall be ejected for:
I. Deliberately striking or attempting to strike anyone or leaving the bench area during an altercation.
II. Second non-releasable, unsportsmanlike foul.
III. Any action deemed by the officials to be flagrant misconduct.
b. Any player or coach who uses derogatory language or taunts on/ from the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach, or referee will be receive a One, Two- or Three-minute penalty or an immediate ejection based on the officials determination of severity.
c. Physical or verbal altercations before, during or after a game by players, coaches, officials or spectators will result in the ejection of that player, parent, coach, or spectator from the field location by the Field Manager.
d. Ejection of a player, coach or spectator by the official or Field Manager for any reason will result in the automatic suspension from participating in ALL SSL functions including all practices for a period to include the next scheduled game. The ejected player, coach or spectator will also not be eligible to play, coach or attend the next scheduled game.
8) Technical Fouls
For the 7/8 and 5/6 divisions, offensive stalling shall be enforced. The winning team is to keep the ball in the box during the last two minutes of the game when leading by 4 or less goals. No stalling rule shall be enforced at the 3/4 division.
9) Game spectators: Parents and spectators are to be situated on the opposite side of the field from the players box. Parents and Spectators may sit on the player's side of the field if there is a permanent barrier separating permanent seating from the bench area.
10) Grievances: All grievances shall be handled according to SSL By-Laws
SECTION VII
UNIFORMS
1) Jerseys that completely cover the shoulder pads as described in the US Lacrosse rules are preferred. If a Pennie or sleeveless uniform is used a sleeved undershirt that covers the shoulder pads MUST be worn.
* Pennies or other types of sleeveless jerseys can be used if necessary when both teams have similar uniform colors. The home team is responsible to change to a non-conflicting uniform color and the lack of proper numbering will be tolerated. In this type of situation were a uniform change was not planned the requirement for a sleeved undershirt can be waived.
SECTION VIII
SCHEDULES
1) The game schedules for all SSL teams are to be established by the SSL Scheduler. All scheduling matters shall be addressed through the designated scheduler.
2) Exhibition or non-league games are scheduled at the discretion of the coach but must be reported to the SSL Scheduler. Any change to a scheduled game must be agreed upon between coaches of both teams 72 hours prior to the originally scheduled date and time. Changes to a scheduled game must also be reported to the referee scheduler 72 hours prior to the originally scheduled date and time. It is the responsibility of the coach requesting the change to contact the designated SSL. Non-league games will incur an additional charge to the home team for referees and will be subject to the year-end account reconciliation per the bylaws.
3) Changes that lead to a cancelation under 72 hours will result in a forfeited game and the cancelling team will be responsible the cost of the officials.
4) No organization or team will be allowed to be a member of SSL who refuses to play a scheduled game with another SSL team. Any SSL team refusing to play another SSL team shall be subject to sanctions as determined by the SSL Board.
5) Each organization will have a home field. This will encourage community involvement in the league. Organizations may choose to share a home field if they desire.
6) Upon completion of a game the coaches of both teams must email the SSL scheduled at southsoundlacrosse@gmail.com the results of the game. This email must include the age group and names of both team, score of the game, number of officials, and any issues that could arise during a game. Best practices show that many programs choose to consolidate their teams game information with the programs Athletic Director and the Athletic Director sends the information to the SSL scheduler.
SECTION IX
CONDUCT, RULES
1) Each organization will be responsible for the conduct of their coaches, players and spectators. Any player, coach or spectator who is ejected from a game must follow all SSL rules regarding ejection from a game.
2) Each organization should provide a field manager for their assigned games. The field manager has the right to remove any spectator who is disruptive regardless of which team the spectator is cheering for.
4) Every parent, player and coach in each franchise will receive a “Code of Conduct Form”. It explains what’s expected as to their behavior at any and all SSL functions.
5) Physical or verbal altercations before, during or after a game by players, coaches, officials or spectators will result in the ejection of that player, parent, coach, or spectator from the field location by the Field Manager. Ejection of players, coaches, or spectators by officials will result in the automatic suspension from participating in all SSL functions, including all practices, for a period to include the next scheduled game. The SSL Board of Directors will review the incident with the players, parents, coaches, or spectators during the suspension period. At that time a silent vote will be taken to allow or disallow the individual to continue participation in league activities. The SSL Board of Directors can take action up to and including banning the individual from SSL League. If the individual is allowed to continue participation and is involved in a second offense, it will result in the automatic suspension from league play or participation for the remainder of the current year.
6) Altercations between parents, players, coaches, officials, or any other spectators will not be tolerated. Clubs must police themselves and make it clear to their organization that bad behavior will not be tolerated.
SECTION X
ETHICS
1) In any document one can find loopholes or ways to get around a rule. It’s up to the individual organizations to police themselves so as not to break the spirit of the codes and rules. An organization is only as good as the people in it who are willing to play above board in an honest and trusting manner. The SSL League was created to bring together strong independent youth Lacrosse organizations that are willing to work within an environment of mutual cooperation in which the advancement of Lacrosse and not just the individual organization are the main priority. The dynamics of youth lacrosse demands that a youth lacrosse league be operated in this manner.
This allows the community, in which the organization resides to better serve that area, grow with the area and have a sense of ownership with the community.
2) Member organizations are expected to induce a spirit of high ideals in their teams. Member organizations are to practice the highest standards of sportsmanship and coaching ethics.
3) Member organizations will be responsible for providing proof that all their coaches have submitted to the National background check though US Lacrosse and that at all coaches from each team are first aid/CPR certified before taking the field. The Board strongly encourages all coaches to attend league and Washington Chapter of US Lacrosse sponsored coaching/training clinics.
4) The highest degree of ethical conduct is expected of all that participate in the league. This includes strict adherence to both the letter and the spirit of the rules and regulations. The use of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco products, and the use of profanity during practice or games are prohibited.
5) Violent conduct, holding / touching the facemask, or verbal abuse towards any player, coach, official or parent will not be tolerated and is prohibited.
SECTION XI
CHANGES
1) At the end of each season the SSL Board of Directors will meet from time to time in the off-season to review these rules. If a rule is to be changed it will take a two-thirds majority vote by the member organizations (each member organization receives one vote).
