Basic Rules for Beach Lax Copyright 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013*

New for 2013: Teams without goalie may substitute foam body board-see Item 2. Clarification Item 2: Any player regardless of gender can have a mens-legal pocket in their crosse. Clarification Item 5: Upon turnover, one pass must be completed before shooting on goal. The defending player must give new ball carrier 4 feet to initiate first pass

1. The Field and Game – Field are approximately 40 x 30 yds with 4 x 4 or triangle goals at each end. Games are two twelve minute running halves with a two minute break. 2. Teams & Equipment-- Teams consist of four field players, a goalie and up to three substitutes. Coed teams require at least 2 field players to be female. Each team must provide matching jerseys in dominant color(s) other than white. (creativity highly encouraged) Players must wear shatterproof eyewear in form of goggles, safety glasses or shatterproof sunglasses and molded mouthguard and play with a regulation lacrosse stick (no long poles). Goalies must wear helmets w/throat protector and chest protector and may use a goalie stick. Goalie gloves are highly recommended. Teams without goalie may play with 4 field players and substitute a commercially produced soft foam body board no wider than 22” and no taller than 42” dug into sand and/or suspended from top bar of goal with leash or other cord. Shots rebounding into field of play go to team defending at time of shot. Body board cannot serve as one of female players on coed teams. 3. Initiate Play – Coin toss determines initial possession. Each half begins with both teams lining up on the front of their respective end lines and initiating play on whistle. 4. Movement of the Ball-- The ball may be advanced in any direction ONLY by completing a pass to a teammate. Players may not run with the ball any further than is required to stop to a maximum of three steps. Once stopped, one foot must remain planted and the ball carrier has five seconds to pass, shoot or turnover possession. The defender guarding the ball carrier must count out the five seconds aloud to initiate turnover. Players, including goalies, may NOT initiate play with three or any steps while carrying ball. 5. Change of possession -- When a shot or pass is not successfully completed (e.g. shot, out of bounds, drop, block, interception), the defense immediately takes possession of the ball and becomes the offense. A pass deflected into sand or out of bounds goes to deflecting team. Sand must be removed from stick before resuming play. Upon turnover, one pass must be completed before shooting on goal. The defending player must give new ball carrier 4 feet to initiate first pass. Ball cannot be shot on goal by new offensive player until one pass is completed. 6. Non-contact -- No stick or body checks of any kind. No intentional physical contact allowed between players or their sticks. Defender crosses may not be angled toward ball carrier to cover crosse carrying ball. Picks and screens are also prohibited. A foul occurs when any contact is made. If foul disrupts possession, possession is returned. 7. Scoring -- Each time the ball crosses and comes to rest within the front plane of goal, one point is scored. Play is re-started by goalie immediately after each goal with no referee intervention. The goalie is NOT allowed three steps while carrying ball. 8. Substitutions -- Players not in the game may replace players in the game at any time. 9. Fouls -- When a player initiates contact on another player a foul occurs. When a foul disrupts possession, the play resumes as if the possession was retained. Intentional rough or unsafe play and/or foul language will cause immediate dismissal from game and/or tournament. 10. Self-Refereeing -- Players are responsible for their own 3 step, foul and line calls. Referees are present for dispute resolution and safe play. Beach Lax stresses sportsmanship and fair play. Competitive play is encouraged, but never at the expense of respect of game and players, adherence to the rules, and fun of game.

DANGEROUS PLAYERS AS DETERMINED BY ORGANIZERS MAY BE EJECTED WITH NO REFUNDS. PARENTS OR SPECTATORS INTERFERING WITH PLAY MAY BE ASKED TO LEAVE. RULES ARE EVOLUTIONARY AND MAY BE CHANGED AT ANY TIME. RULES AND CONDITIONS MAY BE CHANGED DURING A GAME WITH AGREEMENT OF BOTH TEAMS.

*Basic rules for Beach Lax are the proprietary copyrighted property of the author and may not be used at other events without prior arrangement with the author.