Girls Rules

2025 Victory Event Series Girls Tournament Rules of Play and Guidelines

All games will follow NFHS & USA Lacrosse Rules with the following modifications and clarifications

Roster & Eligibility

  • All players must have a completed online waiver signed by a parent/guardian prior to participation.
  • Players may only participate on one team for the duration of the event.
    • A violation results in a Red Card (4-minute non-releasable penalty to be served by the in-home player). All players involved in the violation will be removed from the bench. The penalty remains 4 minutes regardless of the number of players involved.
  • No player may compete below their graduation year.

Game Format

    • Duration: 2 halves of 22-minute running time.
    • Halftime: 2 minutes (running clock).
    • Timeouts: One (1) 30-second timeout per team per game. No timeouts allowed in the final 4 minutes of the game.
    • Clock: Maintained by tournament director; referee may pause for serious injury in the final 2 minutes.
    • Sideline Staff: Maximum of 3 coaches permitted per team.
    • Mercy Rule – Applies to all youth divisions when there is a four (4) goal deficit in pool play, not in playoffs. Teams down by four (4) or more goals will get a free position on the center line after each goal. The free position at center is “INDIRECT” per USA Lacrosse rules.
    • Coaches from both teams are responsible for verifying and signing the score at the end of each game.

Equipment Requirements

  • All players must wear properly fitted mouthguards and approved protective equipment at all times.
  • Jewelry is not permitted.
  • Goalkeepers are required to wear thigh pads, in accordance with 2025 USA Lacrosse safety mandates.

Penalties & Officiating

  • Yellow Card: 2-minute non-releasable penalty.
  • Red Card: 4-minute non-releasable penalty and ejection from the current game and the next game.
    • The team must play short for the remainder of the game (except 2031 and younger).
  • Two Yellow Cards = Soft Red
    • Player is ejected for the remainder of the game. Return for the next game is at the Tournament Director’s discretion.
  • Free Position Shots at End of Periods: If awarded at the end of a half or regulation, the 8-meter shot will be played out.
  • Officials and Tournament Directors have final authority on all rules interpretations and rulings.

Division Specific Rules

8v8 (2033 and younger)

  • Players serve penalty time, but the team does not play short.
  • The One Pass Rule will NOT be in effect.
  • Mercy Rule: Down by 7+ = ball awarded at midfield.

Tie Games & Forfeits

Pool Play

  • Ties allowed; each team receives 1 point.
  • No overtime.

Playoffs (Non-Championship)

  • 4-minute sudden-death OT.
  • If still tied, teams play a 3v3 + goalie Braveheart until a goal is scored.
  • No timeouts allowed in OT.

Championship Games

  • 4-minute sudden-death periods continue until a winner is determined. No Braveheart in finals.

Forfeits: Scored as a 7–0 win for the opposing team.

 

Pool Seeding & Tiebreakers

Tiebreaker Order:

  1. Head-to-Head Result
  2. Goal Differential (Max ±7 per game)
  3. Fewest Goals Allowed
  4. Most Goals Scored
  5. Number of Shutouts

For 3+ team ties, start at step 2. Once one team is selected, return to step 1 for remaining teams.

 

Sportsmanship & Conduct

  • Only head coaches may address officials respectfully.
  • Any ejection = disqualification from the next game, regardless of bracket. A second violation = removal from tournament and team penalty (3-minute unreleasable).
  • Head coaches are responsible for the behavior of their players, assistant coaches, and parents.
  • The event follows a one-strike policy for misconduct. Staff may remove individuals for unsportsmanlike behavior.
  • Referees will report all incidents to the Field Coordinator and Tournament Director.
  • Coaches removed from the tournament will be evaluated before future event participation is granted.

All questions or concerns must be directed to the Tournament Director by a coach or club representative—not parents.