Youth Girls Lacrosse Rules Modifications

A.A. COUNTY YOUTH GIRLS LACROSSE LEAGUE RULES -  2026

SPORTSMANSHIP - BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER THE GAME!

 

Youth sports league rules emphasize skill development, equal playing time, and safe, respectful competition. While specific guidelines vary by sport, the core principles generally require strict age eligibility, zero-tolerance policies for unsportsmanlike behavior, and a strong focus on fun rather than winning.

These foundational guidelines are designed to ensure fair play, safety, and a positive environment for all participants.

The accordion tabs below outline the league Rules for Anne Arundel County’s Recreation & Parks Youth Girls Lacrosse Program.

POLICY

It shall be the policy that the rules of play of this league shall be the National Federation of State High Schools, unless amended or modified herein, and are governed by the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks’ Guidelines and Reference Manual. 

  • TOBACCO, DRUG, AND ALCOHOL PROHIBITION 

    • No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any Board of Education-owned or leased buildings or grounds at any time.
    • No drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and/or vaporizers of any kind, are permitted in or on any R&P buildings or grounds at any time. To include, but not limited to:
      • restrooms, spectator and concession areas, dog parks, aquatic facilities, or playgrounds in any R&P recreational facility or park. 
    • Tobacco use of any kind is prohibited within 100 yards of an organized activity at an R&P recreational facility or park. 
       

    An organized activity is an event with a defined start and end time, held in a designated or permitted area. Examples of organized activities include athletic events and concerts.

  • BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY

    As a prerequisite for any personal involvement with children, all adults who have care, custody, or control of youth participants in any program or activity must complete a criminal history records check as described in the Background Check process in the Guidelines and Reference Manual.

  • ZERO TOLERANCE PROCEDURES

    PURPOSE: To implement and provide a procedure that allows for a safe environment for player participation, Coach Instruction, Fan support, and officials. The following procedure is designed to deter unsportsmanlike behavior at youth sporting events.

    In cases where unsportsmanlike behavior is being displayed, the referee/official (s) have the authority to:

    • Stop the game and warn the offending sideline (s).
    • The next display of unsportsmanlike behavior by the offending sideline(s) will result in termination of the game.
    • If the officials cancel a game due to unsportsmanlike behavior, the Recreation & Parks Department will determine the contest's outcome.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

The Department has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions for inappropriate and/or unsportsmanlike behavior and/or non-compliance with departmental policies, guidelines, or standards. This authority is not limited to programs sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks.

  • Ejections In Youth Sports
    • Players ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct by departmental personnel or game officials will be suspended for a minimum of one (1) game, including playoffs and tournaments.
    • Coaches or spectators ejected by departmental personnel or game officials for unsportsmanlike conduct will be suspended for a minimum of two (2) games, including playoffs and tournaments.
    • Ejections occurring at the end of the season will result in the suspensions being carried over to the next sport or season. The suspended individual may be barred from all sites where County-sponsored activities are being held.
    • A coach who refuses to provide the full name of an ejected player and/or coach to departmental personnel or game officials will be subject to disciplinary action.
  • Non-Appealable Disciplinary Sanctions
    • The following disciplinary sanctions may not be appealed:
      • Probation
      • One or two-game Suspension for Participants in Youth Activities (includes coaches)
      • Two-week Suspension for Participants in Adult Activities
      • Recruiting violations
  • Physical Confrontations
    • A player, coach, or spectator who makes or threatens physically aggressive contact with another individual, other than a game official, may be suspended from all county-sponsored sports for a minimum of one (1) year from the date of the incident.
    • A player, coach, or spectator who threatens physically aggressive contact with a game official may be suspended from all County-sponsored sports for a minimum of two (2) years from the date of the incident.
    • The suspended individual may be barred from all County parks, facilities, and County-sponsored activities.

Coaches Responsibilities

  1. A head or assistant coach who is at least 18 years old and has completed an Anne Arundel County R&P Background check must be present at each league game. 
  2. All head coaches must complete the coaches' certification training offered online. These training sessions are good for 3 years. Upon completion, the certificates should be uploaded to your coach's page in the Team Sports Portal.
  3. The head coach must ensure that all assistant coaches and team volunteers are certified and have a current background check through Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks. All coaches MUST complete the Coaches' Pledge in the Team Sports Portal. The Head Coach is responsible for verifying that all coaches have completed. It is strongly recommended that Assistant coaches and volunteers also complete the Concussion Training online.
  4. Coaches are responsible for registering players and ensuring all other eligibility requirements for their teams are met.
  5. A coach who signs or plays an ineligible player is liable for suspension and other disciplinary action.
  6. A home Commissioner can cancel game(s) on grass at least two (2) hours before game time because of weather/field conditions. He/she must notify the opposing Commissioner, Recreation and Parks, and officials. 
  7. The head coach is responsible for the conduct of all persons connected with their team at all times. This includes conduct towards the officials. 
    • The head coach is responsible for the behavior of the players and all team members. 
    • The head coach is responsible, insofar as can be reasonably expected, to control the spectators.
    • Abuse of an official or an opposing player by a fan, with no attempt by the team's management to eliminate it, will be dealt with by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
  8. If a coach feels that a problem spectator(s) is not a supporter, the coach should request the official to remove the spectator from the vicinity. If the problem persists, the referee may require the home team management to call the police.
  9. The winning coach must enter the final score of the game into the Team Sports Portal. This must be completed by 10 a.m. on the Monday following the game.
  10. The home team is required to wear pinnies in cases where the opposing team's uniform colors and their team colors match. Home Team is listed second on the schedule.


Registration and Eligibility of Players
 

Leagues and Age Groups  

  • STICKLETTE  -   K/1st/2nd Grade    5yr, 6yr & 7yr     (On or after Sept 1 of 2025)
  • PEE WEE  -  3rd/4th Grade     8yr, 9yr       (On or after Sept 1 of 2025)  
  • MIDDIE  -   5th/6th Grade    10yr & 11yr     (On or after Sept 1 of 2025)
  • JUNIOR  -  7th/8th Grade    12yr & 13yr     (On or after Sept 1 of 2025)

Registering Teams

  • AACO League Fees must be paid before the team placement meeting, or the team may be dropped. All other fees must be paid before the start of the season. Teams with outstanding balances from prior seasons may be denied the ability to play in the current season
  • Teams withdrawing after the season’s placement meeting are not entitled to a refund of league fees.
  • Teams may be added after the placement meeting only in exceptional circumstances, as approved by the AACO. Late registrations will be considered based on league availability.
  • The elected board, chosen by the commissioners, has the right to suggest team movement from division to division to fill leagues.
  • Teams added late might NOT play the same number of games that other teams do within a season.

Player Eligibility

  • Players cannot play down, but they can play up. Exception - Sticklettes - a player can choose to play Pee Wee if;
    • Player is in 2nd grade, and they turn 8 yrs old on or before 3/31/26.
  • 9th graders who want to play in the Junior League must get a waiver from the County. Players playing on a High School scholastic lacrosse team at any level may not play in the County leagues.
  • For player age waivers, the organization commissioner must send a waiver request to the RP Supervisor before the season starts. The commissioner will be notified if the waiver request is approved or denied.
  • Players can only play on one (1) rostered team.
  • All players should be properly rostered before participating in any game. Team rosters should be entered into the Team Sports Portal before the start of the season. Required information on the Portal roster is, 
    • The player's first and last name,
    • Player DOB, 
    • Jersey number,
    • Parent email - The Portal allows parents to complete the player contract and concussion form electronically. If parents do not complete the electronic forms, then the coach/commissioner is responsible for getting the proper documentation to Recreation & Parks.

Rosters 

Team rosters are due in the portal: Wednesday, March 18.  Go to the Team Sports Portal to submit the roster packet. No new players after April 23 2026.

  1. It is recommended that each player receive a thorough examination by a health practitioner, including concussion baseline testing, before entering any sports program.
  2. Head coaches are responsible for all administrative requirements relative to team registration, Head Coach’s Pledge, background checks for assistant coaches (youth only), player contracts (youth only), player releases, and player eligibility requirements.
  3. Team rosters and player contracts (youth only) must be submitted before the beginning of the respective season, on or before the established due date.
    • Teams will be given a warning the first time missing forms are discovered.
    • If organizations/teams do not come into compliance with the forms, a team may be subject to forfeiting each game played and/or the coach suspended, where documentation has not been completed.
    • If game(s) are forfeited, the team is responsible for all fees due to the resulting forfeiture(s). 
  4. Any coach who signs or plays an ineligible player is subject to disciplinary actions. Upon discovery of an ineligible player, all games in which the ineligible player participated will be forfeited
  5. Referees are not involved in the determination of player eligibility unless the player in question has been disqualified and the official is aware of such disqualification. In such a case, the referee will ask the player or disqualified coach to leave before continuing play.

2026 leagues are playing NFHS/USL Girls’ rules (with the below exceptions) and are governed by the Recreation and Parks Guidelines and Reference Manual. We do not use USL Youth Rules. **Spectators must be on opposite side of teams (unless on stadium seated field)**

 

Minimum Play

Each player in uniform shall play a minimum of 50% of each game. Exceptions will be made in the event of illness, injury, or disciplinary action.

 

Home Field Responsibilities

When not playing on AA County turf fields, it is the responsibility of the organization with the permitted field where the game is to be played to ensure that the field is ready for play. 

  • In most instances, this will be the home team, but not always. For example, when Team A plays Team B at Organization C’s field, it is the responsibility of Organization C to ensure that the field is ready for play.

“Ready for play” means that the field is: lined, the substitution area is marked, and the goals are in position with game-quality nets, and the field corners must be marked with soft/flexible cones, pylons, or flags.

League Specific Guidelines

  • NFHS Rule Changes and POINTS of EMPHASIS:
  • No mouthpiece, no play! ALL Players must have a colored mouthpiece (not white or clear & no fangs) in their mouth at ALL times during play.
  • Dangerous Contact – Dangerous Play – results in a major foul and an automatic yellow.
  • Head Coaches are required to exchange and check the opposing roster before every game.
  • The maximum number of coaches allowed on the sidelines per team is three (3).
  • No Coaches on the field during the game. Exception – Sticklettes are allowed one coach from each team as an official.
  • A Red Card issued to a player, coach, or spectator will be an automatic ejection from that game. Players receiving a red card are suspended for that game and at least the next subsequent game and are subject to additional disciplinary actions. Please refer to page 50 of the AA Recreation and Parks Guidelines and Reference Manual for more details.
  • Only the head coach is allowed to speak to the official.
  • It is the head coach’s responsibility and liability to ensure that all equipment is legal.
  • Goalies must wear thigh pads that are sewn into shorts/pants.
  • Face paint is not allowed. Eye black is allowed one solid stroke with no logos, etc., and shall not extend further than the width of the eye socket or lower than the cheekbone.
  • Team substitution Area- Players should not be in the TSA until it is imminent. (Player leaving the field has acknowledged being called off and starting to move toward the TSA.) All substitutions are to go through the TSA (on the fly, during an injury TO, after a goal, etc.)
  • Players who receive a card are to sit or kneel in the TSA until their penalty time has elapsed.
  • Mouthguards are to be worn properly, and there should be no tabs; the front of the mouthguard needs to be flat.
  • The point of emphasis for the officials, coaches, and players is to use the stick legally and safely. The officials are focusing on enforcing the illegal stick-to-body contact. When there is contact to the body by a stick, the head of the stick needs to be at a 10-2 (on an analog clock) position. Any contact with a stick that is not in that position is a major foul on the person holding the stick.
  • Pushing, whether with the stick or body part, will be called. It is a major foul to displace another player. If you have a game that you feel is not being called, please let your commissioner know, and they will pass that information on to us, and we will address it with the official.
  • Pee Wees- Shooting space cannot be called until there have been 2 passes. One of the criteria for a shooting space call to be made is that the ball carrier has the opportunity to shoot. In Pee Wees, they must have the 2 passes; therefore, if they do not have the 2 passes, they do not have the opportunity to shoot.

Juniors

**Coaches and Players only on the turf areas, this includes the track. Spectators must use the bleachers, not on the field or track.**

  • 25-minute halves - running time with the clock stopped during fouls within the critical scoring area in the last minute of the second half and during timeouts. MAXIMUM 5-minute half-time.
  • One 1-minute time-out per team per half. Injuries are running time unless in the last minute of the game.
  • Junior A Full Checking
  • Junior B&C Transitional checking
  • Once the leading team is up by 5 goals, possession can be awarded to the trailing team. Take back to draw with the leading team, draw player 4m in front of the trailing team, draw the player with possession. Play begins on the referee's whistle and hand signal. Only midfielders between restraining lines/on the circle just like a draw; attack releases to redefend only on the referee whistle. Up to the coach’s discretion (for the trailing team) to take it or not (in which case the draw would continue)

Note: Head contact deemed incidental by the official will not be carded. Contact initiated by the attacker may result in a card to the attacker.

Middies

  • 25-minute halves - running time with the clock stopped during fouls within the critical scoring area in the last minute of the second half and during timeouts. MAXIMUM 5-minute half-time.
  • One 1-minute time-out per team per half. Injuries are running time unless in the last minute of the game.
  • Middie A Full Checking
  • Middie B&C Transitional checking.
  • Stick follow-through is not allowed in the goal circle.
  • Once the leading team is up by 5 goals, possession can be awarded to the trailing team. Take back to draw with the leading team, draw player 4m in front of the trailing team, draw the player with possession. Play begins on the referee's whistle and hand signal. Only midfielders between restraining lines/on the circle, just like a draw; attack releases to redefend only on the referee whistle. Up to the coach’s discretion (for the trailing team) to take it or not (in which case the draw would continue)

Note: Head contact deemed incidental by the official will not be carded. Contact initiated by the attacker may result in a card to the attacker.

Pee Wee

**All spectators are required to be across the field from the player’s bench.  
No spectators on the end lines.

  • 20-minute halves – running time (no stopped clock). Maximum – 5-minute half-time
  • One 1-minute time-out per team per half. The clock will stop for the time out. Injuries are running time unless in the last minute of the game.
  • Teams will play eight (8) players at a time. Seven (7) field players and a goalie.
  • PeeWee B League: Two (2) passes from possession before a shot can be taken. Passes by goalies, hand-offs, and underhanded passes are excluded. The pass count continues even if there is a whistle. This means that free position shots will be utilized, including 8-meter shots. An exception to the 2-pass requirement is a major foul inside the 8-m arc; in this case, the player may shoot without regard to the pass count.  PeeWee A League - No 2-pass rule 
  • The playing field should be approximately sixty (60) to seventy (70) yards in length from end line to end line, a goal line fifteen (15) yards from end line, a midfield line at thirty (30) - thirty-five (35) yards from the end line, and a width of thirty-five (35) - forty-five (45) yards. Fields should have an 8-meter arc.
  • Only 5 field players allowed past midfield. The goalie cannot go past midfield.
  • No Checking. If a player maintains a good defensive checking position for 3 seconds, it will result in a turnover. The 3 seconds will NOT be counted out loud.
  • No zone defense, man-to-man only. No double-teams
  • Draw to start each half. Draw after every goal, unless a team is 5 or more goals down, then they will be awarded the ball at the center. Coaches need to inform officials of the draw possession. Players other than those involved in the draw need to be 4+ meters away.
  • The score of the game will not be recorded.
  • Stick follow-through is not allowed in the goal circle.
  • Goalie deputizing is not allowed on this level.

Sticklettes

**All spectators are required to be across the field from the player’s bench. 
No spectators on the end lines.

  • Sticklettes focus on fun and instruction
  • 20-minute halves – running time with no stoppage. No time-outs. 5-minute half-time. Draw after all goals.
  • Teams will play six players at a time. NO GOALIE and No Target/Shooting Net.
  • One coach from each team will officiate.
  • One pass from possession before a shot can be taken. One pass must be made after any whistle. Hand-offs and underhanded passes excluded.
  • Five-second rule – A player who has held the ball for more than 5 seconds must make a pass before shooting.
  • The playing field should be approximately fifty (50) yards in length from goal to goal and 40-yards wide.
  • No Checking.
  • No zone defense, man-to-man only. No double-teams.
  • No 3-second violations in the 8-meter arc.
  • Score will not be recorded.

Score and Time Keeping

Every coach should use a stopwatch. Each team should have a volunteer scorer to stand behind the substitution area. By mutual agreement, one scorer should keep penalty time. Both should keep the score and consult with each other after each goal to make sure that they agree.

  • It is their responsibility to keep the score and penalty time.
  • Officials will keep official game time on the field.
  • In the event that only one person is available to score keeping duties, it is official.

  • In the event no one is available to perform scorekeeping duties, then the home team forfeits.

     

Standings for Middies, Juniors, and Senior League ONLY

It is required that the winning team (or both teams if the game is tied) submit their game score to the Recreation & Parks Department through the AA County Team Sports website (https://aacoprod.aacounty.org/TeamSports/Login). The team must submit the score within 24 hours after the end of the game.

Failure of the winning team to submit the game score could = Loss!

Rescheduled Games: The County will NOT reschedule games canceled by the coaches or organizations. 

The County will reschedule games if it is determined that the game cannot be played due to a verifiable school or religious-related obligation that affects more than 50% of a competing team.

Canceled games by coaches or organizations without notification and acknowledgement by the County Sports Supervisor will result in full payment to the officials by the organization.

Rainout Games: If game cancellation is not posted on the website, please go to the field unless you have received a call that the field is unplayable.

  • The AACO may postpone or cancel the entire schedule for a game day based on inclement weather up to two hours before the first game that day.

Inclement weather cancellations (closed fields) will be displayed on the Team Sports portal and Recreation and Parks Athletics page as they become available.

Inclement weather decisions made by the County will be posted by 4:30 pm on weekdays and by 7:30 am. If games have not been canceled (there will NOT be an update), go to the field where the official will determine whether the game is playable.

  • If a game is 50% or more complete and is canceled due to weather, it is considered a full game.
  • If a game is less than 50% complete and is canceled due to weather, it will be restarted at the beginning.
  • In either situation, the officials will be paid a full game fee, as well as if the game is restarted.
  • The County will only schedule rain-out games if a team has played less than 5 games, if calendar time allows. Rainouts for Sticklettes will not be rescheduled.

Lightning/Thunder Policy – To ensure player and spectator safety, all activities must come to a stop and the playing field cleared at the first sound of thunder or sign of lightning. Play may resume after a 30-minute delay after the last sound of thunder or sign of lightning. During the stoppage of play, the game clock continues to run, and the playing time is not made up when play resumes. Additionally, most high school fields are equipped with a lightning detection system that should be followed.

Forfeits -  if Team B does not show, then Team B must pay the referee's fee for both Team A & Team B. The official’s fee for Team A & B MUST be paid to the AAGLO by Team B BEFORE the end of the regular season, and to be kept in good standing.

 

Must be paid before the season start date. If fees have not been paid by the season start date, the organization’s games will be canceled until payment in full is made.

  • Sticklettes   -    Coach Ref   -   6 games 
  • Pee Wee   -    2 Refs      $51/team      8 games
  • Middie   -     2 Refs       $71/team       7 games        + top 4 Playoffs         Levels A&B
  • Junior    -     2 Refs       $71/team       7 games        + top 4 Playoffs         Levels A&B
     
  • If one official works when there should be two Officials, the one Official will be paid 1-1/2. Example: fee for 2 refs is $71/team, totaling $142, the fee for 1 ref will be $53.25/ team, totaling $106.50.
  • Note: The number of scheduled games played may be less than assigned, due to inclement weather and scheduling conflicts.
  • It is the responsibility of the organizations to request a refund of officials’ fees for all appropriately canceled games. Refund requests must be received within 7 calendar days of the championship game, or balances will be forfeited and returned to AAGLO. When requesting a refund, the following information is required: contest date, time, location, level, teams (home and away), and authorized reason for cancellation (DO NOT request a refund for a game that is rescheduled). Requests for refunds should be emailed to wlcofficials@gmail.com with the subject line “AACo Rec Refund Request”. All refunds will be processed at the end of the season.


Officials (NO Show) - If no Officials show for the assigned game, the game will be rescheduled on the rain date if schedule permits.