2012 PLL Standing Rules and Policies

 

1.0.0 NAME OF ORGANIZATION

1.1.0 The name of this organization shall be the Pacific Lacrosse League, hereinafter referred to as PLL, or   League, and this shall be its official guide book. In this book, omission of any rule or rulings on wrong doing, or various types of misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior does not in any       way justify or allow for their practices.  Consequences for such types of behavior should be        expected.

 

1.2.0 THE NATURE OF THE LEAGUE.

1.2.1 The nature of the league shall be in the ‘similar’ nature as CIF in policy.  The spring season,

            of which the PLL participates, shall provide for teams known as CIW, as in “Cif In Waiting”.

            All reference to PLL TEAMS during the spring season where as the word “CLUB” may be used

            will in no way signify that the said teams operate in the same nature of various types of programs where       outside recruiting for the purpose of creating elite teams is one of the main focuses.

1.2.2 The PLL and participating teams will in no way compete with the CIF teams for players, nor promote policy

            in a way that draws cif players to play in the League during the spring season.

 

1.3.0 SPRING SEASON

1.3.1 “In Season” – shall be deemed Feb 1st to June 30th of any give year.

1.3.2 “OFF Season”– shall be the dates July 1st to Jan 31st.

1.3.3 The PLL shall not regulate off season play for players or teams unless it’s in representation of the PLL

1.4.0 DIVISIONS

1.4.1 Varsity– Each program may have only one Varsity team to compete in the league.

1.4.2 New Teams - First year teams will play at varsity level as provisional member teams.  Should the team            originate from a jrh youth program, the league will consider entry as a jv team on a case by case basis

1.4.3 All subsequent teams in the same program may be established as JV or Fresh/Soph that meet such

         player criteria.

1.4.4 Junior Varsity- The PLL will Not allow the Play of Seniors on JV teams, regardless of size or experience.

1.4.5 Cross over play will be allowed based on playing time per quarter. The time will be split between

         jv and varsity games evenly.  For example, IF a player plays 1 Qtr of Varsity, he is only available for

         three Qtrs in the JV game. 

1.4.6 No Jr in a starting varsity position may play on a JV team regardless of time played in the varsity game.

        (cant pull starter for two qtrs because you’re crushing a team, then play him jv 2 qtrs)

1.5.0 LEAGUE ALIGNMENT

1.5.1 The current structure of the league is two division levels, Varsity and JV.  This structure shall remain in            place unless changed by the commissioner and general membership.

1.5.2 It is the duty of the League to create and structure Conferences within each Division as is deemed best for       the league in terms of managing regular season and post-season play.

1.5.3. Due to the dynamic nature of growth in the league, re-evaluation will take place each year for the        placement of teams within each Division and Conference.

1.6.0 LEAGUE SCHEDULING

1.6.1 General Scheduling will be handled by the league commissioner or by a member(s) as assigned by the             commissioner.

1.6.2 Game priority- Conference games have priority scheduling, then league games, then outside games.

 

2.0.0 TEAMS and RESPONSIBILITIES

2.1.1 Each program shall responsibly organize and operate their teams to the best of their ability, within the             parameters of league policy.  Teams shall register with the PLL. 

2.1.2 However, player registration and waiver process shall be the responsibility of each team unless otherwise         regulated by the League for the purposes of sanctioning or other various circumstances.

2.2.1 COACHES and Directors

2.2.2 The Head Coach of each program in the League will be responsible for knowing game rules as well as league policy; insuring that all those coaching or acting under the Head Coach, comply.

2.2.3 Directors will be responsible for knowing league policy.

 

2.3.0 INSURANCE – The PLL and its agents shall be listed as Loss Payable via Certificate of Insurance by each team according to the agreed upon league insurance structure.

2.3.1 Certificates of Insurance naming the PLL and its agents as loss payable should be submitted by Feb 1st.

 

2.4.0 MEMBERSHIP AND FEES

2.4.1 Every Provisional and Regular Member team will pay a membership fee to be determined by the League.          The membership fee will be paid by the February 1st. These fees are in place to cover expenses needed             to run the league. They include, but are not limited to, scheduling program, league website,   administration, public relations, PLL championships, and insurance, official’s assigner stipend,             commissioner’s stipend.

2.4.2 In the unfortunate event that a team must fold during the season, the membership fee will not be refunded.

2.5.0 ROSTER RULES

2.5.1 An initial Roster for each team must be submitted to the League by Feb 1st. The final Roster will be due 1       week prior to the start of the PLL season.

2.5.2 Additional eligible players may be added any to the roster but will not be eligible for playoffs after the    Roster Lock Date.

2.5.3 The Roster Lock Date will be determined each season and will usually fall at the end of the 3rd or 4th week        of March.

2.5.4 All Players participating on the team in any capacity must be listed on the roster, regardless of when   added.  Therefore updated rosters must be submitted to the PLL as additional player(s) are added.

2.6.0 PRACTICE REGULATIONS

        The league shall not mandate when a member team practices either in season or out of season.

 

2.7.0 SCHEDULE CHANGES

2.7.1. Rescheduling games- All Changes to scheduled games by teams must be submitted to the scheduler on a     timely basis to update the master schedule, avoid conflicts, and schedule officials.

2.7.2 Both teams must agree to the reschedule

2.7.3 Cancellation of games must be done as soon a possible.  Every courtesy must be taken to ensure

            that no expenses are incurred should the game not happen. Texts, emails or voice mails are not      acceptable forms of communicating cancellations unless receipt is confirmed by a response.

2.7.4 48 hour shall be the reasonable time for notice of cancellation in order for the canceling team to avoid   compensating the other teams for non reimbursable cost. With the exception of Weather Cancellations

2.7.5 If there is a weather cancellation, it is the responsibility of the HOME TEAM to call off the game

            with in a time where they will not incur non-reimbursable expenses.

2.7.6 Officials generally leave early in bad weather. Should the show up at your canceled game, because your          notification came too late, they will be entitled to full payment.

2.7.7 The league may sanction a team that becomes problematic in canceling games, however please be

            respectful of the fact that the league has teams with limitations and varying degrees of commitment             capabilities.

2.7.8 Officials must be notified by the home team. (the reason for this is to give the home team an opportunity

            to resched their home game.

2.7.9 Adding games- shall be permissible with in the maximum number of games, not to include playoffs or

         non-league tournaments, and will be handled in the same manner as rescheduled games.

2.8.0 HOME TEAM and TRAVELNG TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES

2.8.1 Home team will be responsible for acquiring appropriate fields, goals, time and score keepers,

           and game balls. 

2.8.2 Home team wears the white/light color.

2.8.3 Traveling team is responsible for jersey color contrast, via light vs dark uniform or via pinnies.

          However pinnies will not be acceptable for playoffs.

 

2.9.0 OFFICIALS and FEES

2.9.0 Officials will be assigned by a designated league assigner and will be compensated via league dues.

2.9.1 Each Team shall be responsible for the payment of 1 official, should there be to two. Anticipate $75 per          official.  If there are three officials each team shall pay a ½ portion to the third official.

2.9.2 Officials shall be paid prior to each game.

2.9.3 Should there be a Sr official at a higher pay, the HOME team will pay that official. 

2.9.4 If both coaches agree, coaches may officiate a game, if no “scheduled or alternate” officials show.

2.9.5 The commissioner must be consulted before scheduling a game where officials may not be available.

 

2.10.0 REPORTING SCORES

2.10.1 Scores shall be reported to LaxPower and therefore the schedule will be listed there as well.

2.10.2 Coaches will have the authority and duty to input games that may not have been entered on the

           LaxPower website schedule, in order to enter scores.

 

 

3.0.0 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

3.1.1 AGE LIMITS – A player must be of appropriate age requirements.

3.1.2 A player must be under 19 years of age by March 1st of the lacrosse season.

3.1.3 Player must be in at least 9th grade to participate in high school lacrosse.

3.2.0 SCHOOL ATTENDANCE ELIGIBILITY

3.2.1 Players must be enrolled in school half time or more.

3.2.2 A player is eligible for four (4) consecutive years after entering or being eligible to

            enter the 9th grade.

3.3.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY for Playoffs - In order to be eligible to participate in league playoffs, a player

            must be part of a program roster by the Roster Lock Date

3.4.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY as to Program: The program (team) for which a student-athlete is eligible is     determined first and foremost by the school in which the student-athlete attends or would attend based on residence.

3.4.2 A player attending a public school without a lacrosse program is eligible to play for a PLL team. All players      attending any given public school shall all be eligible and play for the same PLL program.

3.4.3 If two or more lacrosse programs come to exist within close proximity, the league may intervene to      determine which lacrosse programs a player may go, based on various criteria, deemed in the best interests of fair completion. Precedence that has already been set will be the first honored.

3.4.4 A full-time student in a private school not offering lacrosse shall participate at the resident public school           that the student would normally attend.

3.4.5 Home school and charter school students are categorized as private education students.

3.5.0 RESIDENCE RULE: In order to be eligible to participate for and/or represent a program at the varsity    level, the student-athlete of that program must be residing within the boundaries of a school that        represents that program and shall attend that school while having a residence with the family unit. This   rule is intended to create an equitable environment in which teams can compete. This rule is also           intended to prevent athletic recruiting, prevent students from choosing schools for reasons of lacrosse,           and to promote the various family units as the best environment for students to live in while attending             school.

3.6.0 TRANSFERRING STUDENTS – The Transfer Rule is preventative in nature and is devised to eliminate             the incentive to transfer schools when the motivation is for lacrosse purposes and after a student has      initially chosen the school of his choice while he has been living with the family unit. The Transfer Rule        protects students who have previously participated in competition at a school from being replaced by     students who transfer for lacrosse purposes and further protects students from “team-shopping” by        students and recruiting by other teams. Any transfer from one school to another (even within a district)             must be reviewed by the league to determine eligibility.

3.6.1 The following students who are attending a school whom meet transferring requirements shall remain   eligible for play as noted:

                        A. student whose transfer is based on an immediate change of residence to a new school due                     to an actual physical relocation of and with the family unit to a different residence and preceded                       by termination of all occupancy of their previous residence.

                        B. A student attending public school outside of his residence district for one (1)

                        calendar year or more is eligible thereafter in a school of that district provided the

                        enrollment is continuous.

                        C. A student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) reside at different abodes as the

                        result of a divorce or court approved legal separation is allowed one (1) transfer

                        between parents or guardians after entering the ninth grade without being

                        restricted to sub-varsity competition for one (1) year. Any subsequent transfer

                        shall be governed by the transferring student rules and procedures.

                        D. Other situations for transfer will be governed in a similar fashion to that of the CIF,

 

3.7.0 Procedure for Appeals pertaining to player eligibility

            A. In the event the player wishes to contest an eligibility decision or policy by the League, the Coach           shall submit a letter to the General Membership and forward it to the Commissioner for distribution by     email. The General Membership shall send their vote by email. If at least 1/3 of the General Membership             eligible to vote does not consent to hear the contested petition, the matter shall be closed. If so, the        League shall schedule a special meeting to hear the appeal. At this meeting,

            B. if at least 3/4 of the General Membership agrees by vote to overturn the league’s decision, the petition      shall be granted

            C. The decision must be endorsed by the commissioner whom retains the right of Veto

           

4.0.0 GAME RULES AND REGULATIONS

4.1.0 Specific Contest Rules

14.1.1 The PLL will abide by the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Association) rules with the            following exceptions:

A. Goal Specifications: In-ground or flat-bar goals are recommended but not required.

B. Uniforms: Helmets must be uniform by 2013. This means that the color scheme must match. Helmets need        not be the same model or brand. (New Provisional, JV and F/S teams are exempt from these new       uniform standards for 1 season unless otherwise determined).

B. Field Specifications: There is some Flexibility on field size; however, all field lines and markers (cones) must     be present; furthermore, goals must be properly positioned 15 yards from each end line within a 2 yard variance. These adjustments typically work for official HS soccer/football size fields.  Should there be a

            field in a park area that is essentially too small; All Markings must still be present and both Coaches           must agree to proceed with the game on the given field.

C. Uniform Specifications

            1. Jerseys shall be numbered on the back with numbers at least 10 inches in height.

                        a. Jersey shall cover shoulder pads….no tank tops.

                        b. colors must be solid and may have opposing color as trim. ( ie,tie died style is a no go)

            2. Helmets must be uniform in color and markings. diff brand and / or model is ok.

            3. New provisional teams have a 1st year waiver on helmet match and jersey criteria, however

                numbers must be visible. A longer term for exception may be considered for less viable teams.

 

4.2.0 PLAYOFF ELIGIBILITY AND DETERMINATION

4.1.1 Will be based on Conference standings with the 1st tie breaker being head to head competition, then goal                                                                                      differential. Other forms of tie breaker will be determined by the commissioner.

4.1.2 A team must play all conference games to be eligible for playoffs. Exceptions may be considered by the          league.

 

5.0.0 GAME RULE VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

            Violation of PLL By-Laws, policies, rules and regulations can result in, but is not limited to, sanctions          placed upon individual players, coaches and/or programs as a whole. Sanctions can include but are not limited to game suspension, season suspension, forfeiture of games, forfeiture of post-season play        (playoffs), probation and expulsion from the League. Each situation is unique and will be handled at the discretion of the League. Multiple, repeated infractions and/or those deemed to intentionally defy            league policy will result in stiffer sanctions.

5.1.0 FAILURE TO PAY OFFICIALS FEES- Failure to pay or to institute a payment plan approved

            by the league by the given deadline will result in a fine (a late processing fee). Continued

            failure of payment may cause that team’s games to be forfeited until all fees are paid.

5.2.0 FAILURE TO POST ROSTERS – The failure of a team to post accurate varsity rosters

            (including player name, number and year) prior to competing in their first game may cause that team to        forfeit each game until the information is posted.

5.3.0 FAILURE TO REPORT GAMES and SCORES – All League games played must be reported to the     League Scheduler for inclusion on the master league schedule prior to games being played. Games        added after the beginning of the season must be reported for inclusion on the master schedule before     the game is played. Scores must be reported to laxpower w/in 24hrs of the completion of the game.        Failure to report may place the program on probation or suffer other sanctions.

 

 

5.4.0 MISCONDUCT BY PLAYERS AND FANS

5.4.1 Fighting is defined as a player, substitute, non-playing member of a squad, coach

            or anyone officially connected with a team deliberately striking or attempting to

            strike anyone in a malicious manner or leaving the bench or coaches area in

            order to participate in such an altercation.

            A. An individual participating in a fight or any other action deemed flagrant misconduct as determined by      the game officials, shall be charged with a three minute non-releasable penalty, ejected from the game           in which the violation occurred and suspended from the team’s next game.

            B. If the same individual is involved in a second fight or flagrant misconduct, the

            penalty is a three-minute non-releasable penalty, ejections from the game in

            which the fight occurred and suspension extended to the entire season or for a

            minimum of four (4) games which can carry over to the following season if there

            are less than four games remaining in the season.

           

5.4.2. Per NFHS rules, the ejected coach must be removed from the premises

            (bench and field area). An ejected player, substitute or non-playing member

            must be removed from the premises IF there is an authorized school personnel

            present to supervise the ejected student-athlete. Otherwise, the ejected player

            must be confined to the bench area under supervision of the coach.

            2. Any games played or coached after such an ejection and before suspensions

            have been served will result in the forfeiture of such games.

            3. Ejection is not to be confused with a disqualification for collecting 5 personal fouls in one game.

5.4.3 Coaches are responsible for controlling their parents, players, and fans. Coaches will work with game officials to control the players and crowd as necessary to ensure a safe event and to honor the game.

            A. Spectators are not allowed immediately behind the bench areas or within or immediately behind the         penalty box and table area. If permanent bleachers are present, all spectators and parents are to be      located in those bleachers, if possible. 

            B. Where permanent bleachers are not present, it is strongly recommended that

            teams be located on the opposing sidelines from the spectators and parents.

 

 

5.5.0 USE OF INELIGIBLE PLAYER – The use of an ineligible player shall result in forfeiture of all games in             which that player took part

5.5.1 For League play only, the League may determine that the ineligible player’s participation did not affect the        result of the contest in question. In such a case, the League may rule to let the result of the game stand            and impose sanctions on the coach and ineligible player

 

5.6.0 REFUSING TO PLAY – Teams are obligated to participate in a contest to its normal

            conclusion unless the contest is terminated by mutual consent of the coaches and officials

            involved due to unusual weather or game conditions, or situations which could be hazardous

            to participants or spectators. Any coach is prohibited from unilaterally refusing to play.

5.6.1 Any coach unilaterally refusing to play will be suspended. The length of suspension will be determined by         the League and may include playoff games. The game in question will be forfeited.

5.6.2 In the case of a Varsity/JV doubleheader, the play of the JV game shall be adjusted (shorten duration,             cancel or reschedule) so that the varsity game is played per rule. When possible, adjustments should be        agreed upon prior to the start of the first game of the doubleheader.

 

6.0.0 CONTESTING SANCTIONS

6.1.1 Any decision of the League regarding Sanctions may be appealed to the General Membership

6.2.1 Contesting procedure -In the event the program wishes to contest the decision by the League, the       Coach shall write a letter to the General Membership for distribution by email. The General Membership            shall send their vote by email. If at least 1/3 of the General Membership eligible to vote does not consent        to hear the contested petition, the matter shall be closed. If at least 3/4 of the General         Membership agrees to overturn the Board’s decision, the petition may be granted.

6.3.1 The decision must be endorsed by the commissioner whom retains the right of veto