TOURNAMENT RULES

RULES FOR PLAY

• All Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) rules are applicable.

TEAM INFORMATION

• MR4.01  Each team will consist of a minimum of six (6) players (5 runners and 1 goaltender) and a maximum of twenty (20) players (18 runners and 2 goaltenders).

• MR2.12  (a) No one but the player in uniform, coach and suitable attired trainers shall be permitted to occupy the bench. Each team will consist of a minimum of two (2) bench staff (one certified coach and one certified trainer) and a maximum of five (5) bench staff (four certified coaches and one certified trainer). 

• MR7.13 (1) Any team who, scheduled to play in invitational tournaments, appears with less than six players, or fails to put in an appearance, shall lose its bond, and its club shall be further assessed a fine of two hundred and fifty ($250.00) dollars. 

• MR7.13 (3) When any team appears with fewer than twelve (12) players (and more than five), its club shall be assessed ten ($10.00) dollars for each player under the required number per tournament. 

• MR7.13 (4) Any team who withdraws from a game at any point in invitational or provincial tournaments must default the remainder of their scheduled games. 

• MR7.13 (5) Any team who shows up with less than six players to a game at any point in invitational or provincial tournaments may default the remainder of their scheduled games.

• All teams are to register 30 minutes prior to your first game.  Any changes to your roster must be approved from game to game.

• In order to be eligible to participate, all players and bench personnel must present their original OLA Registration Certificate (cards) to the tournament registrar or arena convenor before the start of their first game. After the first game, the rosters are locked in Gamesheet Inc. and any changes must be done by the tournament registrar or arena convenor. Any additional players to be added to a team’s roster, must provide the OLA Registration Certificate prior to that game. Any player found to be illegal shall be removed from the tournament and points (goals) removed. In the event that the cards are not available the team personnel or players affected will NOT be able to participate. Digital copies will NOT be accepted. 

• Players moving up in play in the next higher age category must be indicated on the game report by indicating “affiliate player” to their registered category.

• Teams should have an extra set of sweaters available, in case of colour conflict.

• The designated home team is responsible for sweater changes should conflict arise due to sweater similarities.  The opposing team will not be allowed on the floor during a sweater change.  If the home team does not have an alternate sweater set, the visitor team will change.

TOURNAMENT RULES

COURTESY BETWEEN COMPETITORS

• Team management will not permit any of their players to enter the playing surface while any players from the previous game remain on the floor.

• Any player entering the playing surface between scheduled games shall wear CSA approved helmets and facemasks.

GAME STRUCTURE

• No team or player will be allowed to play more than three (3) games in any one day.

• Warm-up time on the floor will be permitted prior to the actual scheduled game time.  In instances where there may be a late start, warm-up may or may not take place at the discretion of the game officials.

• In order to prevent any intentional delay of game, at the official’s discretion, a two (2) minute bench penalty shall be assessed.  (This will be enforced to maintain a punctual schedule for all teams.)

ALL GAMES MUST START & FINISH ON SCHEDULE! 

ROUND-ROBIN GAMES:

 

• All Divisions will consist of six (6) teams, minimum of 4.

• Each team will play three (3) Round-Robin games.  If the division has less than 6 but more than 3 a round robin of 4 games will be played.

• Round-Robin Format.  The scoring system will be as follows:

Two (2) points shall be awarded for a win

One (1) point shall be awarded for a tie

No points are awarded for a loss

• Round-Robin Games will consist of three (3) - fifteen (15) minute periods, all running time. 

• There will be no stop time during Round-Robin play.  Note: only stop-time on referee’s discretion (re: player injury).

• There will be a three (3) minute rest break between periods.

• There will be no time-outs during Round-Robin play.

 

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUNDS 

• ALL DIVISIONS – The top four (4) teams with the most points from each Division after Round-Robin games will move on to the Championship Rounds. 

• Semi-Finals – All Divisions: The team with the most points (1st place) after the Round-Robin games will play the team with the fourth most points (4th place).  The team with the second most points (2nd place) will play the team with the team with the third most points (3rd place).  

• Championship game – All Divisions: The winners of the Semi-Final games will play in the Championship Game.

• TIE-BREAKER(S):  If a tie exists after the Round-Robin games have been completed, the tie will be broken in the following manner: 

IF TWO TEAMS TIED (with the same number of points after Round Robin play)

1. If the 2 tied teams played against each other in Round-Robin play, the winner of the head-to-head game will be declared the winner of the higher position (HEAD TO HEAD).  

2. If the 2 teams (referred to in #1 above) played to a draw in their Round-Robin game  – OR – if the 2 teams (referred to in #1 above) did not play each other in Round-Robin play, then the Goal Average Formula will be used to break the tie.  The Goal Average Formula is defined as Goals For divided by (Goals For plus Goals Against). The team with the higher number based on the Goal Average Formula based on all Round-Robin games will be declared the winner of the higher position. 

3. If there is still a tie, then the team with the least total penalty minutes during Round-Robin play (based on all Round-Robin games) will be declared the winner of the higher position.

4. If there is still a tie, then a coin toss will determine the winner of the higher position.

IF THREE OR MORE TEAMS TIED (with the same number of points after Round Robin play)

5. If the tied teams played against each other in Round-Robin play, then the team(s) that won the greater number of points in the games played between the teams tied, shall be declared the winner of the higher position (HEAD TO HEAD TO HEAD).  

6. If the tie still exists, then the Goal Average Formula based on the games played between the tied teams (referred to in #5 above) will be used to break the tie.  The team with the higher number will be declared the winner of the higher position.

7. If the tie still exists – OR – if the tied teams did not play against each other in Round-Robin play, then the team with the higher number based on the Goal Average Formula based on all Round-Robin games will be declared the winner of the higher position. 

8. If there is still a tie, then the team with the least total penalty minutes during Round-Robin play (based on all Round-Robin games) will be declared the winner of the higher position.

9. If there is still a tie, then a coin toss will determine the winner of the higher position.

• CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND GAMES will consist of three (3) - fifteen (15) minute periods, all running time except for: 

  • U9 & U11 stop time will be the last two (2) minutes of the third (3rd) period

  • U13, U15 stop time will be the last five (5) minutes of the third (3rd) period

*unless there is a goal differential greater than five (5), and then there will be no stop time.

• There will be a three (3) minute rest break between periods.

• Each team will be permitted one time-out (2 minutes) per game in the Championship Round.

• In the event of a tie at the end of regulation play, there will be a three (3) minute rest break, change of ends, followed by a “sudden victory” ten (10) minute overtime period of stop time, with victory being declared upon scoring the first goal.  REPEAT until the scoring of the first goal in overtime (Sudden victory)

• There will be no shoot-outs.

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

• ALL DISCIPLINE WILL BE HANDLED BY THE TOURNAMENT DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE, except for match penalty- abuse of an official.  The O.L.A. rule for ejecting players involved in a fight from the tournament will be enforced.  Game suspensions will be enforced.  All decisions made by the Disciplinary Committee will be final.