PHILOSOPHY OF 10U LACROSSE

10U lacrosse is where young athletes begin developing fundamental technical skills in lacrosse.

With respect to the competition at this level, coaches, parents, and officials should emphasize:

FUN | GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP | TRYING NEW SKILLS IN A TEAM SETTING | LEARNING AND EXPLORING OVERALL PLAY OF THE GAME

10U GIRLS’ GAME FORMAT SUMMARY AND EQUIPMENT

» 8v8 includes goalies, (cross field)

» Traditional stick and balls, modified pocket is allowed

» Officials are required

» Score can be kept 

» At the draw players line up in both offensive and defensive end, traditional line up

» Introduction of the 8 meter arc

» After a goal, the goalkeeper clears

» No checking and 3-seconds closely guarded applies

» Must play 1v1 defense

NUMBER OF PLAYERS

8 players (7 Field and 1 goalkeeper) from each team on the field at a time.

If one team is unable to field a goalie both teams must play 7v7 with a non-goalie format. 

COACHES

The coach must remain on the sideline in the coaches’ box and team area.

U10 PLAY OF THE GAME

COIN TOSS
Prior to the start of competition the official will call one player from each team
and conduct a coin toss. The winner of the coin toss can choose direction of
play or have the first Alternating Possession.

START OF GAME OR HALF
The competition is started with each team placing up to 7 field players on
the field to start the game. Three (3) players will be placed in the 8m in the
offensive end and three (3) players in the 8m in the defensive end. The 7th
field player will be at the center to take the draw. Players must hold in the 8m
until the official has signaled that possession has been attained.

RESTART AFTER A GOAL IS SCORED
Goalkeeper free clear - opposing team moves above 8m. Without a
goalkeeper, the official will remove the ball from the goal and give it to
a defensive player along the goal line to the side of the goal. The ball
is awarded to the team who was just scored upon and the remaining
players will be moved 4m away.

RESTARTING PLAY - SELF-START
For a foul outside of the critical scoring area, the player who is awarded
the free position, after coming to a stop/settled stance, may continue
without waiting for an additional whistle. A settled stance is with both 

FOULS

At this level of play fouls fall into three (3) categories :

1) Minor (misplay, procedural), penalty administration is 4 meters
away from the ball and the ball is no closer than 12 meters to the goal
circle.

2) Major (safety), penalty administration is 4 meters behind and the
ball is no closer than 8 meters to the goal circle

3) Cardable/Misconduct (excessive), penalty administration is a
card. Ball is no closer than 8 meters to the goal circle. While cards are
administered at 10U and the player will serve a specific time penalty,
the team does NOT play short.

CARDS: A player will serve two (2) minutes for a yellow card and serve
the duration of the game for a red card. The cards are non-releasable.

U10 MINOR FOULS

CONTESTED GROUND BALLS

Players may use a kicking motion to move a ball into free space as long as it does not pose danger to other players and it is not a shot on goal.

COVERING THE BALL Players are not permitted to cover the ball under any circumstances with their stick or body. 6.3 - MINIMUM PASS RULE The minimum pass rule is eliminated at this level of play. However, coaches may agree to add an additional time restriction to encourage ball movement.

1 V 1 DEFENSE 1 v 1 defense is required in the midfield area at this level of play. More than one player can defend the ball in the critical scoring area. Shooting space and 3 second defense rules are now introduced.

3 SECONDS CLOSELY GUARDED (OFFENSE) Player with the ball may not hold the ball for more than three (3) seconds when a) closely guarded b) the defense has both hands on their stick and c) the defense is in a position to legally check if checking were allowed.

GOALKEEPER FOULS The goalkeeper must not:

a. Allow the ball to remain in the goal circle longer than 10 seconds.

b. Step back into the goal circle when she has possession of the ball if she is fully out of the goal circle.

c. She or a teammate may not return the ball to the goal circle, (carrying or rolling) until the ball has been played by a player.

 U10 MAJOR FOUL

3 SECONDS IN THE ARC (DEFENSE) Defenders cannot remain inside the 8-meter arc unless marking an opponent within a stick’s length. More than one player can be marking the ball carrier in the arc. However, more than one defender can mark the ball carrier in the 8 meter as long as they are within a stick’s length.

SHOOTING SPACE Defenders cannot obstruct the free space to goal if not marking an opponent or playing the ball carrier within a stick’s length.

GOAL CIRCLE VIOLATIONS No player other than the properly equipped goalkeeper may enter the goal circle at any time. Offensive players may not follow through into the goal circle on a shot.

M A J O R O R C A R D A B L E

CONTACT

Legal contact can occur between opponents during the normal process of play. However, contact that occurs that physically forces the opponent off of her position or path is illegal contact. Illegal stick to body contact (in a horizontal position) or any contact deemed dangerous should be called.

ILLEGAL CHECK

No checking allowed.

SHOOTING FOULS

Players are responsible for not shooting at or into other players and to maintain a safe follow through on all shots. Dangerous Propel and Dangerous Follow Through are mandatory cards. 

Dangerous Shot:

To shoot dangerously or without control at the goalkeeper.

1. A dangerous shot is judged on the basis of the combination of distance, force and placement.

2. A shot should not be directed at the goalkeeper’s body, especially her head or neck.

3. A dangerous shot does not apply if goalkeeper has time to react or moves into the ball. -

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Participants are expected to uphold the highest levels of sportsmanship at all times. Arguing, threatening, the use of profane language or obscene gestures by players, coaches or spectators shall result in a penalty. Penalty Administration for

Major Fouls in the Critical Scoring Area:

For a major foul by a defense player which occurs in the 8-meter arc:

» The player who was fouled will move to a 8-meter hash mark nearest the spot of the foul.

» The player who fouled moves 4 meters directly behind the player taking the free position.

» All players’ and sticks must be cleared from the penalty zone.

» The goalkeeper in the 8-meter may clear back into the goal circle if she did not foul.

» A defender may take a position at each hash mark adjacent to the player with the ball on an 8-meter free position.