One for the Ages

Under the direction of the US Lacrosse Board of Directors, the organization is working on developing age-appropriate, national rules of play for youth boys’ lacrosse and youth girls’ lacrosse.

As part of this initiative, US Lacrosse staff and volunteers have surveyed more than 50 youth leagues that include nearly 170,000 youth players to better understand the landscape of current rules being used around the country, in addition to receiving input from individual coaches, officials, administrators, youth players and parents.

Based on that research and input from the US Lacrosse Sports Science & Safety Committee, the US Lacrosse Men’s and Women’s Game Committees have proposed rules that have been voted on and passed by the US Lacrosse Board of Directors for implementation for the 2012 season. The new youth lacrosse rules will be published in various US Lacrosse media, including a printed guidebook that is under production.

► Age & Eligibility Guidelines 

► 2012 Boys Youth Rules | FAQ
► Boys Guidebook

► 2012 Girls Youth Rules | FAQ
► Girls Guidebook


► USL Issues Youth Participation Recommendations (Dec. 1, 2011)
► Stenersen's View: "Consistent Player Development Requires Uniform Youth Rules" (Oct. 18, 2011)
► Lacrosse Magazine: "Great Sport" feature story (October 2011)
► LaxMagazine.com: Youth Rules Correction and Other Nuggets (Sept. 23, 2011)
► US Lacrosse Adopts Age-Appropriate Youth Rules (Sept. 15, 2011)
► LaxMagazine.com: USL Board to Vote on Youth Girls' Rules (Sept. 7, 2011)
► Lacrosse Magazine: "USL Board Set to Vote on Youth Rules" (September 2011)
► LaxMagazine.com: Boys' Youth Rules Move to USL Board (Aug. 29, 2011)
► Lacrosse Magazine: "One for the Ages" feature story (July 2011)
► Contact, Not Collision (an editorial by USL CEO Steve Stenersen)
► What They're Saying
► Timeline for Development and Implementation