Competition among Ohio Middle School Lacrosse Association (OMSLA) member teams is governed by the Boys Lacrosse Rules Book as written and amended from time to time by the National Federation of State High Schools Associations (NFHS) and the exceptions written to those rules by the US Lacrosse Youth Council for youth players 15 years and under in grade 8 or below.  

For the 2009 season, OMSLA has adopted the following additional rules modifications:

1. No counts-leaving defense or entering offensive zones. (starting in 2008, Central Ohio teams have adopted the "advancing the ball" rules and enforce the 20-second defensive count and the 10 second offensive count during the regular season)

2. Each team has four (4) time-outs per game, two (2) time-outs per half, and one (1) time-out for each overtime period.

3. One minute stalling warning (keep it in) during the 4^th period.

4. Alternate possession rule.

5. Quarters are 8 minutes, stop time.  Overtime is 4 minutes sudden victory, stop time

6. Face off after every goal scored.

7. No running clock in the second half if the score differential reaches 12 goals or more (Waive Rule 3, Section 1, Art. 2).

8. For illegal stick (length, pinched or butt end) 2:00 minute non-releasable (not 3:00 min.).   Butt end violations follow current NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules (Rule 1, Section 7, Art. 3).
   

9. Waive all same color equipment rules, except uniform jersey.
   

10. Players receiving two (2) unsportsmanlike conduct penalties in a game will result in ejection from the game and non-participation in the next two (2) regularly scheduled contests at that player’s playing level.  The same rule applies for all coaches.

     

OMSLA

Codes of Conduct

for Coaches, Players and Spectators

Coaches

• The coach shall be aware that he has a tremendous influence, for either good or ill will, on the education of the student-athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning above the value of instilling the highest ideals of character.
• The coach will place the emotional and physical well-being of his players ahead of a personal desire to win.
• The coach will instruct participants in proper sportsmanship responsibilities and demand that they make sportsmanship the number one priority.
• The coach shall respect and support contest officials. The coach shall not indulge in conduct, which would incite players or spectators against the officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical.
• The coach will use appropriate language in appropriate tones when interacting with players, league officials, game officials, parents and spectators.  

Players

• Any Association player ejected from a game for fighting or “leaving the designated bench area” during a fight shall be ruled ineligible for participation in the next two Association games at that player’s playing level, including tournament play and will carry over into the next season if necessary.
• The player treats opponents with the respect that is due them as guests and as fellow athletes.
• The player accepts the responsibility and privilege of representing your school and community.
• The player will respect judgment of contest officials, abide by rules of the contest and display no behavior that would incite teammates or fans.
• The player will live up to the high standard of sportsmanship established by the coach.
• The player will accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion by congratulating opponents in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.

Spectators

• The spectators will adhere to all the above in coaches/players conduct.
• The spectators will know and demonstrate the fundamentals of sportsmanship.
• The spectators will censure fellow spectators whose behavior is unsportsmanlike.
• The spectators will never criticize the players or coaches for the loss of a game.
• The spectators will refuse to participate in or to encourage profane language and obnoxious behavior, which represent the opposite of good sportsmanship.

Honoring the Game

Respect for:

• Rules - letter and spirit of how the game should be played.
• Opposition - fierce and friendly-no demonizing. 
• Officials - respect the official’s decision even when you disagree.
• Teammates - commitment to teammates on and off the field.
• Tradition - love of the game that is bigger than individual participation.
• It is a privilege to participate in the game of lacrosse.

Coaching Documents

Field Diagram * - Printable field diagram for boys lacrosse

OMSLA By-Laws for 2005 - Word format of 2005 Ohio Middle School Lacrosse Association By Laws.

OMSLA Code of Conduct - Word format version of latest Code of Conduct

OMSLA Code of Conduct * - PDF version of Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to players, coaches, and fans.

OMSLA Timer Guidelines and Home Team Responsibilites * - PDF Version - Details standard Timer responsibilities OMSLA Boys Lacrosse games and other Home Team responsibilities.

Scorer Guidelines and Rules Modifications * - PDF version - OMSLA Guidelines for Boys Lacrosse Scorekeeper. Also includes specific Rules Modification adopted by the OMSLA.

* Note some or all of the preceding documents can be downloaded and displayed and/or printed in Adobe's Acrobat format.  If you do not already have Adobe's free Acrobat Reader software, click here to download it now.