Sunshine Events Group
Lacrosse tournament

Monster Mash Lax Clash

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Rules

Welcome to Sunshine Events Group Lacrosse Tournaments!

Please familiarize yourself with these guidelines before participating.

Game Structure & Formats

Field Formats by Age Group

  • Standard Full Field (10v10 Boys / 12v12 Girls): Middle School and High School divisions compete on standard full-sized fields under standard USA Lacrosse / NFHS guidelines.
  • Small-Sided Field (7v7): Lower School / Youth divisions play a 7v7 format (6 field players + 1 goalkeeper) on a shortened field (approx. 60–70 x 40 yards).

Game Length

  • 20-minute running halves (officials keep time on the field).
  • 3-minute halftime.
  • 7-minute break between games.
  • Forfeits: Teams failing to field the minimum required players within 5 minutes of scheduled game time will forfeit (recorded as a 5-0 loss).

Penalties & Timeouts

  • Penalty duration is 1.5 times the standard infraction length due to the running clock.
  • Timeouts can be called during penalties.
  • Penalty time stops (game time continues unless under 2 minutes in the second half).
  • One 1-minute timeout per team per half (clock stops during timeouts).
  • Game clock stops under 2 minutes remaining in the 2nd half if the goal differential is 2 goals or fewer.

Mercy Rule

  • A 6-goal lead triggers the mercy rule for all divisions below High School.
  • The trailing team receives possession at midfield after a goal rather than participating in a face-off or draw.

Overtime Rules

Pool Play Games

  • Standard Divisions: 3v3 Braveheart (2 field players + 1 goalie). Goalie may cross midfield as long as one player remains on-side. No timeouts or substitutions.
  • 7v7 Divisions: 3v3 Braveheart immediately after regulation (no substitutions).

Playoff Games

  • 4-minute sudden victory with one timeout per team.
  • If unresolved after 4 minutes, a 3v3 Braveheart commences.

Championship Games

  • 10-minute sudden victory with one timeout per team.
  • If unresolved after 10 minutes, a 3v3 Braveheart commences.

Division Specific Rules

Lower School (7v7 Format)

  • Field Ratio: 2 attack, 2 midfield, 2 defense, 1 goalkeeper.
  • Onside Rule: 2 players must remain in the offensive half, 2 in the defensive half at all times.
  • Girls 7v7: 2-2-2 setup on draw; 2 players remain back behind midfield. No checking allowed; modified pocket allowed. Goalies require thigh pads and shin guards. 1v1 defense in midfield (foul = player pushed back 4 yards). Yellow card = 2-minute penalty with substitution allowed.
  • Boys 7v7: Face-off after every goal (unless mercy rule applies). Maximum stick length 54 inches (max 2 long poles permitted). Penalty restarts result in a 3v2 fast-break restart with trailing midfielders 5 yards back.
  • Goalkeepers: Mandatory for all 7v7 games.

Middle School (Full Field)

  • Follows USA Lacrosse U14 rules.
  • Girls: Transitional checking allowed (crosse must remain outside 12-inch sphere of shoulder/head). No deputies permitted. Goalies require thigh pads and shin guards.

High School (Full Field)

  • Standard High School NFHS / USA Lacrosse rules apply.
  • High School goalies are required to wear thigh pads.

Tournament Participation & Rosters

Guaranteed Games & Divisions

  • Minimum 4 games guaranteed per team.
  • Divisions are strictly based on USA Lacrosse age guidelines (no age exemptions allowed without Director approval).
  • Final team rosters must be submitted prior to the first scheduled game.

Multi-Team Play & Rosters

  • Players may compete on multiple teams, provided they are not in the same division.
  • Roster switching for playoffs is strictly prohibited.
  • Tournament directors reserve the right to forfeit games for roster misrepresentation.

Early Departure

  • Teams leaving early forfeit all remaining games and risk exclusion from future Sunshine Events Group events.

Weather & Schedule Adjustments

  • The tournament director reserves the right to shorten, delay, or cancel games due to inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances.

Seeding & Tiebreakers

Playoff Seeding Order

  1. Overall Record (Wins/Losses/Ties)
  2. Head-to-Head Result
  3. Goals Against (Fewest total goals allowed)
  4. Goal Differential (Capped at maximum +/- 7 goals per game)
  5. Coin Flip

(Refer to the "Tie Breaker Explained" page for multi-team 3-way tie rules.)

Sportsmanship, Ejections & Conduct

Code of Conduct

  • Flagrant disrespect, abusive language, or unsportsmanlike behavior toward officials, opposing players, coaches, or tournament staff will not be tolerated.

Ejections & Suspensions

  • Any player, coach, or spectator ejected from a game by an official must leave the field area immediately.
  • Ejected coaches/players are automatically suspended for their team's next scheduled game. Fighting results in immediate tournament ejection.

Spectator Areas & Benches

  • Spectators must remain behind spectator lines and opposite the team bench areas where applicable.
  • Teams are responsible for cleaning up their bench area after every game.

Player Waivers

All players must submit a completed online waiver before participating.
Access waivers through the "Waivers" tab on this site.