Box Rules By Division

Box Rules & Gameplay By Division:

Division	U7	U9	U11	U13	U15	U17
Period Length	15 min		20 min
Gameplay	Arena Width, 2 Games Played Simultaneously		Full Length
# Players On Floor	3 Runners, No Goalie	3 Runners, 1 Goalie	5 Runners, 1 Goalie
Line Changes	3 min shifts		On The Fly
Max Team Size Per Game	9 Runners, No Goalie (9 Total)	9 Runners, 1 Goalie (10 Total)	18 Runners, 2 Goalies (20 Total)
Ball Used	Soft	Regular
Net Size	3’ x 3’		4’ x 4’
Stick Lengths	26” - 40”		34” - 46”		40” - 46”
Goalie Sticks	15” Width Max
On Ball Contact	Occupy Space & Steer/Direct Only	Push to Direct (Place & Push), No Forceful Checks	Push to Direct (Place & Push), No Forceful Checks	Push to Direct (Place & Push), No Forceful Checks	Cross Checking Allowed - Front or Side Only - Below Shoulder and Above Waist	Cross Checking Allowed - Front or Side Only - Below Shoulder and Above Waist
Off Ball Contact	Not Allowed	Occupy Space & Steer/Direct Only	Equal Pressure / Push To Direct	Equal Pressure / Push To Direct	Equal Pressure Rule Applies	Equal Pressure Rule Applies
Loose Ball Contact (NEW)	Not Allowed		Within 9' Of Loose Ball, Equal Pressure Rule Applies		Within 9' Of Loose Ball
Penalties?	No, Play Stopped		Yes
30 Second Clock?	No		Yes
Fall Back Rule?	Yes		No
10s Centerline Clear	No					Yes
Crease Dives Allowed (NEW)	No				Yes
Gamesheet Required?	Yes
Score Kept?	No		Yes
Score Displayed?	No		Yes

New for 2026 - Lacrosse Canada is adopting the "World Lacrosse" rule book (with some modifications): Click here for rulebooks

BCLA has produced a summarized document of the most impactful changes with the transition to the World Lacrosse rulebook: Abbreviated Summary of Change

Here is an additional explanation for some of these points:

The Crease

Previous Rule(s)

The crease is like a “cylinder” that extends into the air and you can not break that plane with your body without a crease violation.

“Crease dives” not permitted as you violate the crease rule above.

Loose balls can not be retrieved from the crease by the opposing team, the ball is safe inside the crease for the defending team to control.

New Rule(s)

The crease now only exists on the ground - so the space in the air can be occupied as long as contact is not made with the floor of the crease

“Crease dives” are ONLY permitted in U15 & above. The ball must cross the goal line prior to the shooter’s body contacting the crease. Any contact made with the goalie is likely a severe penalty - the onus is on the attacker to create a safe route for their dive and not make contact with goalie.

Loose balls CAN be retrieved from the crease by the attacking team. Clamping/trapping the ball by a goalie or defender in the crease counts as possession and attacking player cannot check defender or try to get ball (no longer considered loose).

The ball can not be batted in the net from inside the crease - this would be a disallowed goal.

Face-offs

Previous Rule(s)

Draw straight back

Clamping not allowed

New Rule(s)

Draw players must be behind their sticks (and left of head of stick)

Clamping allowed

Cannot kick ball/stick or make contact with the other players stick

Loose ball contact is not allowed during face-off procedure

Loose Ball Contact

Previous Rule(s)

All loose ball contact is considered "interference" and the other team is awarded position of the ball

New Rule(s)

Legal body contact permitted within 3 meters (9') of a loose ball

Equal pressure until U15