Lacrosse Development Festival Yr 4

This event is in partnership with Spencer Lacrosse Club, Wandsworth.

Booking

• This is a Development Festival event.
• Schools may enter this event now.
• If an event is full, schools will be placed on a waiting list and be notified of this.
• MSSP will contact schools should places become available in the build-up to events.

Team Eligibility

• Age: Year 4
• Mixed gender event.
• For a junior Lacrosse match: 10 in a squad, 5 on pitch.
• Teams must be mixed: 5 boys and 5 girls with at least 2 boys and 2 girls on pitch at all times.
• The intent and principles of the competition have been designed to support pupils learning of the game and not be restricted by enforcement of the rules. We anticipate that many children may not have played competitively before and aim for children to learn more about the sport throughout the day. The expectation is that many will be unfamiliar with Lacrosse and core skills will be introduced during the first part of the day.

Requirements – Teamsheets

• To help us support our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion aims, all school teams must complete and submit the attached MSSP Event Entry – EDI Teamsheet in order to register for this event. We do not require the children’s names, just initials or first names are fine. This data is vital to help us improve equity and access for all. We want all Merton students to be able to represent their schools in activities they enjoy and in an environment where they feel a sense of belonging. The data you provide us will help us to review and improve our offer as we strive to achieve this.

Kit & Equipment

• All schools MUST provide their own First Aid kit along with a first aid qualified member of staff.
• No jewellery, baseball caps etc.
• It is advised that if eyewear is essential, it should be made from plastic rather than glass.
• This event will take place on grass. Trainers are permitted and moulded studs are advised.

Staffing and Spectators 

Spectators are not permitted at Merton SSP events.

On any school sites: Spectators will not be permitted entry to any school/private sports facilities. Primary schools must inform parents in advance when inviting students to take part.  All staff attending the event must have enhanced DBS clearance and have been fully vetted by their primary school. DBS numbers, full name and school will be required in advance by the host school.

Rules

• This is a Development Festival where children will require no prior knowledge to the main body of Lacrosse rules.
• The length of time permitted on each of the different athletics activity stations will be determined on the day.
• The rules for each of the stations will be demonstrated and explained to the children in the event briefing before the festival begins.

General Lacrosse Rules

START OF PLAY
The game is started with a pass from the centre. The player with the ball must pass to another whilst keeping at least
one foot on the line, all others to be 3m away. Centre passes alternate no matter who scores the goal.

BOUNDARIES
Indoors – play rebound whenever possible. Outdoors – no boundary, the official decides area of play. Play to be as
continuous as possible. When ball does go ‘out of bounds’ or becomes trapped (e.g. In gym equipment) nearest player
gets possession with all others 1m away. All players brought in 1m from boundary.

START/STOP PLAY
All play is started and stopped by the sound of a whistle (No ‘stand’ rule applies).

THE THROW
This is taken when a simultaneous foul occurs or players are equidistant from a boundary. The two opponents will be placed 1m apart facing each other. Officials simultaneously blows whistle and toss short underarm throw, shoulder height between the players, play continues.

SCORING
Shooting ball with stick so that it passes wholly over the goal line scores a goal. ‘Own goals’ can be scored if the ball comes off the defender’s stick or body. Goals may only be scored from the attacking half of the pitch. Dangerous shooting through will be penalised. No player may enter the goal crease but may reach in with the stick to recover the ball.

SUBSTITUTION
‘On the fly’ providing that: there shall be only 5 sticks for field players and these to be exchanged as the players change over (see sticks): players must go on and off the field through ‘gate’ marked with two cones at centre line; players not on pitch shall be seated on team bench and must not stand to go on to pitch until handed a stick.

FOULS
No stick or body contact
No intentional ball off body
No dangerous propelling (passing or shooting through or ‘blind’)
No dangerous follow through with stick (following pass/shot)
No entry into goal crease
No trapping/guarding ball (but momentary ‘rake’ is allowed)
Maximum 4 second possession of the ball by a player (which cannot be increased by throwing/rolling to oneself)
No defending goal by standing in the 5m space in front of goal (except it a sticks length away from an attacking opponent)

PENALTY FOR FOULS
Free position to nearest opponent
Offender is placed 3m behind player
All others 3m away
Fouls inside the 5m are taken on the arc on the plane of the goal extended

UMPIRES NOTES
Throughout play the official’s discretion may be used to award penalties for dangerous play or unacceptable behaviour. A player may be sent off as a last resort. The rules are there to protect players and keep the game as continuous as possible. Unintentional fouls which do not give the offender or his/her team an advantage should result in a ‘held’ whistle whenever possible (official can call ‘advantage’). Excessive use of whistle discouraged except to keep play safe and according to the rules.

Officials should ensure short, sharp single blow of whistle to both start and stop game. A longer whistle indicates a goal.
Clear, short explanations of foul (e.g. ‘stick contact, yellow ball’), indicating with arm team in possession by pointing towards the goal they are attacking.
It is helpful to call out loud the 4 seconds, remembering to leave a second’s time length before calling ‘1’ on possession.

TIED GAME SITUATION
If a game is tied during semi finals and finals 2 minutes over time will be played, should the game still be tied another 2 minutes will be played. If this results in the game still being tied sudden death will come into play. Teams will continue to play 2 minute periods until 1 team scores.

POINTS DRAW
If teams are tied on points during the round robin stages places will be awarded based on GD (Goals for – Goals Against = GD).

Competition Format 

• This is a festival event and no scores will be recorded.
• The festival is primarily focused on participation and skill development.

Draw Format

•  Schools will travel through the different stations in a carousel format.

Awards  

• REFSPECT winners – Certificate
• Participation certificates will be presented to all participants

Results 

• Results and event report will be available on the news webpage within 24 hours of the event ending.

Winner’s Pathway 

• There is no planned pathway from this event.

MSSP Duty of Care

At Merton School Sport Partnership, the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of every participant is our highest priority. Our Duty of Care framework outlines the measures we take to ensure all events are safe, enjoyable and accessible, covering key areas including safeguarding, health and safety, equality, diversity and inclusion, risk assessments, medical provision, codes of conduct, photography and data protection.

We ask all schools, staff, volunteers and participants to familiarise themselves with these expectations before attending MSSP events.

For full details, please download the MSSP Duty of Care document or visit the relevant section of our website HERE for further guidance, policies and event information.