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
- The following disciplinary sanctions may not be appealed:
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Coaches are responsible for registering players and ensuring all other eligibility requirements for their teams are met.
- A coach who signs or plays an ineligible player is liable for suspension and other disciplinary action.
- A home Commissioner can cancel a game(s) at least two (2) hours before game time because of weather conditions. He/she must notify the opposing Commissioner, Recreation and Parks, and officials.
- 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 his players and all team members.
- The head coach is also 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.
- If a coach feels that a problem spectator(s) is not a supporter, he 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.
- The winning coach must enter the final score of the game into the Team Sports Portal. This must be completed by 11 a.m. on the Tuesday following the game.
- The home team is required to wear pinnies in cases where the opposing team's uniform colors and their team colors match. Teams can wear tie-dyed jerseys.
Registration and Eligibility of Players
- STICKLETTE/CLINIC K/1st/2nd Grade 5 yr, 6yr & 7yr (on or after Sept 1, 2025)
- PEE WEE 3rd/4th Grade 8yr & 9yr (on or after Sept 1, 2025)
- MIDDIE 5th/6th Grade 10yr & 11yr (on or after Sept 1, 2025)
- JUNIOR 7th/8th Grade 12yr & 13yr (on or after Sept 1, 2025)
Players can only play and be rostered on one (1) team, except for the 6’s league. Players can play 10v10 and a 6’s team during the season.
An ineligible player and the coach are liable for suspension and disciplinary action. Players playing on a High School scholastic lacrosse team at any level may not play in the County leagues.
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 may 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;
- The player is in 2nd grade and turns 8 yrs old on or before 3/31/25.
- 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.
ID Cards & Rosters
- It is recommended that each player receive a thorough examination by a health practitioner, including concussion baseline testing, before entering any sports program.
- Teams will be required to have both roster and ID cards, or the game is subject to forfeiture.
- Coaches will exchange team ID cards and rosters. Opposing coaches will check the roster and ID cards of players.
- The opposing head coach and referee will monitor the process. No helmets will be worn during ID checks.
- 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.
- 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 club is responsible for all fees due to the resulting forfeiture(s).
- 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.
- 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.
Minimum Play
Pee Wee – 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.
Middie & Junior – Each player in uniform shall play a minimum of 25% of each game. Exceptions will be made in the event of illness, injury, or disciplinary action.
2026 leagues are playing High School Federation rules (with the below exceptions) and are governed by the Recreation and Parks Guidelines and Reference Manual. **Spectators must be on opposite side of teams**
NFHS Rule Changes and POINTS of EMPHASIS:
- For all age groups, there will be 1 timeout per half limit. 2 per game.
- Goalies shall be given 5 seconds to re-enter the crease on restarts. (Per 2025 NFHS Rules)
No mouthpiece No play! ALL Players must have a mouthpiece in their mouth during play. “Fish hooking” is not allowable • 1st offense - 30-second penalty.
- Legal Body Checks, as defined by the NFHS Federation Rule Book, are still allowed; however, there is an increased awareness and focus on player safety, and in accordance with this, “take out checks” or body checks that are deemed “unnecessary” have no part in the game and will be called and penalized accordingly. Officials and coaches should use Unnecessary Roughness as a guide for what can be deemed unnecessary.
- Restarts - an immediate whistle (unless an offensive teammate is within 5 yards of the player in possession. The defending player on any restart shall establish a distance of 5 yards. A defensive player may be liable for a 'delay of the game'.
- Illegal Crosse - All illegal crosses will be assessed a 2-minute non-releasable penalty.
- Throwing A crosse - depending on the circumstances, the penalty is a 1, 2, or 3-minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike penalty
Pee Wee
**All spectators are required to be across the field from the player’s bench. No spectators on the end lines.
- 10-minute quarters – running time (clock stops for official timeouts only). NO 10 sec or 20 sec count.
- In the event of a tie, the game is over - NO Overtime
- Controlled stick checks only – NO baseball swings or tomahawk chops. The player must have both hands on the crosse when checking.
- Free clear after a 4-goal lead: Unless the coach who is behind informs the officials he wants to continue to face-off.
- Face-off: players should be standing (off their knees) with a neutral grip; the hand nearest the head must be palm up. (No motorcycle grip.)
- If no officials are present, the coaches will officiate.
- All players must wear a protective helmet, protective gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, and a protective cup or pelvic protector. (NOCSEA approved). Coaches are responsible for certifying if their players are properly equipped. If it’s discovered later, say to injury, a player doesn’t have one… it will be a 1-minute non-releasable penalty.
- Goalies MUST wear a chest protector (NOCSEA approved) and a throat protector. Arm pads & Shoulder pads are optional.
- Stick length: 36” – 42” or 52” – 72”
- No random stick checks.
- Officials can require a player to sit out a portion of a quarter, an entire quarter, or remove him from the game for repeated personal fouls or for a flagrant foul.
- Coaches and players' use of profanity will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the game.
- Substitutions are permitted after the ball has gone out of bounds at any point on the SIDELINE or the endline.
- If a goalkeeper commits a time serving penalty, the In-Home can serve the penalty unless it’s for unsportsmanlike conduct.
- No take-out checks or unnecessary or excessive body contact as defined in the NFHS Rules. (See Point of Emphasis)
- Four coaches are permitted on the team sidelines. (This includes penalty time or game time keepers, box coaches, water-boys, or any other adult/player not on the team).
- Eye black should be a one-finger-width strip under the eye(s). No face painting or 7’s etc.
Middies and Juniors
Coaches and Players only on the turf areas, which includes the track. Spectators must use the bleachers, not on the field or track.
- 12-minute quarters with running time.
- Breaks: 2 minutes between quarters, 5 minutes at halftime.
- 20 seconds to cross midfield. 10 to get in the box
- Face-off: players should be standing (off their knees) with a neutral grip; the hand nearest the head must be palm up. (No motorcycle grip.)
- Free clear after a 4-goal lead (Jr only B) unless the coach who is behind informs the official he wants to continue to face off.
- If after four quarters the game is tied, there will be a 4-minute “sudden victory” period. After 1 overtime period, “Braveheart” will decide the game. (1 Goalie and 1 Field player per team)
- If no officials show, games will be rescheduled at a future date.
- All players must wear a protective helmet, protective gloves, arm pads, shoulder pads, and a protective cup or pelvic protector. (NOCSEA approved). Coaches are responsible for certifying if their players are properly equipped. If it’s discovered later, say to injury, a player doesn’t have one… it will be a 1-minute non-releasable penalty.
- Goalies MUST wear a chest protector (NOCSEA approved) and throat protector. Arm pads & Shoulder pads are optional.
- Stick length: 40”- 42” or 52” – 72”
- Sticks - follow 2024-2026 NFHS rules regarding stick dimensions.
- Tape rule. Contrasting colored (head and gloves) tape is OK as long as it does not touch the head, and contrasting colored shafts are permitted.
- Coaches and players' use of profanity will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the game.
- No take-out checks or unnecessary or excessive body contact as defined in the NFHS Rules (See Point of Emphasis)
- Four coaches are permitted on the team sideline. (This includes penalty time or game time keepers, box coaches, water-boys, or any other adult/player not on the team.)
- Eye black should be a one-finger-width strip under the eye(s). No face painting or 7’s etc.
- Random stick checks are allowed per the official's discretion.
Sixes – (Small Ball) Game Rules and Regulations
**All spectators are required to be across the field from the player’s bench. No spectators on the end lines.
- 5 Runners, 1 Goalie
- 60 by 35 yard field
- 30-second shot clock
- Goalies initiate play after goals are scored; draws/face-offs occur only at the start of each quarter
- Roster max is 12 players
- PeeWee, Middie, and Junior Leagues: four, 8-minute running time quarters.
- A missed shot that goes out of bounds will result in a turnover.
- Penalties: 30 sec or 1 min
- 1 TO per game (30secs), No time-outs in the last two minutes of the game.
- All subs on the fly, no horns.
- Each team needs to bring cones and their own portable
SCORES, STANDINGS, AND TIMEKEEPING
It is required that the teams report their game results on the Team Sports Portal by 9 am every Monday. Good habit, update scores immediately after the game. The team must submit scores to the Commissioner within 6 hours of completion of the game. When submitting a score, the email must be in the following format:
- League name
- Location of the game
- Both teams’ names
- Final score
- Number of officials
- Any issues with the field
Please report any game issues immediately. This information can also be included in the notes field when entering scores.
Failure of the winning team to submit the game score in the proper format 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.
The head coach of each team is required to have cash on the field to pay the official (s) for the games assigned by the County. Payment is Due BEFORE the game begins.
Sixes League
- Pee Wee - $37/team 1 ref 6 games played on Fridays - No Playoffs
- Middie - $37/team 1 ref 6 games played on Fridays - No Playoffs
- Junior - $37/team 1 ref 6 games played on Fridays - No Playoffs
10 v 10 League
Pee Wee: $65/team for 2 Officials
- A Division: 7 games played on Sundays + top 4 Playoffs
- B Division: 8 games player on Sundays – No Playoffs
Middie: $65/team for 2 Officials
- 7 games played on Saturdays + top 4 Playoffs A & Playoff 5-8 B Playoff
Juniors: $70/team for 2 Officials
- A Division: 6 games played on Saturdays + EOS Tournament
- B Division: 6 games played on Saturdays + EOS Tournament
- End of Season Tournament, May 9th – Round Robin 3-game minimum
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 $65/team, totaling $130; the fee for 1 ref will be $48.75/ team, totaling $97.50.
Note: The number of scheduled games played may be less than assigned, due to inclement weather and scheduling conflicts.
OFFICIALS (NO-SHOW) - If no Officials show for the assigned game, the game will be rescheduled on the rain date if schedule permits.