LAC i The BUCS Lacrosse Championships shall be conducted in accordance with the following BUCS sport specific regulations, the BUCS general regulations, and rules of World Lacrosse (WL)1&2.
LAC ii In the event that these regulations contradict the BUCS general regulations, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
LAC iii In the event that these regulations contradict the rules of World Lacrosse (WL)1&2, these BUCS sport specific regulations will supersede, unless specifically stated otherwise.
1Please note that BUCS has adopted the World Lacrosse Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (2021-2023) for the Men's Lacrosse programme for the 2023-24 season. As ever, any BUCS regulations shall supersede the WL rules, unless specifically stated otherwise.
2Please note that BUCS has not adopted the World Lacrosse Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (2022-2024), published in December 2022, for the Women's Lacrosse programme for the 2024-25 season. As such, the rules as they stood in the World Lacrosse Women's International Official Playing Rules (2020-2022) amended by the World Lacrosse Women's Rules Memorandum (2021-01-24) shall stand for the 2024-25 season. As ever, any BUCS regulations shall supersede the WL rules, unless specifically stated otherwise.
LAC 1 Affiliations All institutions/Playing Entities must affiliate with their National Governing Body by the deadline stated in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to do so will lead to sanctions as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and possibly further disciplinary action.
LAC 2 Championships There shall be separate Team Championships for Men and Women. The programme for each Championships shall include leagues and knockout competitions as per BUCS general regulations, Appendix 1 (‘BUCS Competition Offer and Associated BUCS Points’) and Appendix 10 (‘BUCS Promotion, Relegation and Knockout Information’).
LAC 3 Pitches
LAC 3.1 Playing field dimensions and markings shall be as per the rules of World Lacrosse being followed as per LAC i-LAC iii, with the following exceptions permitted:
- Pitches may be 91-110 metres long and 50-60 metres wide. When reducing the length of the pitch from that of the rules of World Lacrosse: Remove equal amounts from both areas to the side of the centreline; The distance from each goal line to end line remains as per that of the rules of World Lacrosse; The distance from each restraining line to goal line remains as per that of the rules of World Lacrosse; The length of the wing line on each side of the centre is half the distance from the centreline to the men's restraining line. When reducing the width of the pitch from that of the rules of World Lacrosse: Remove an equal amount from each side of the field in the area between the wing line and the sideline.
- Lines can be between 5-10cm in width if shared with any other sport(s), preferably 10cm for the men’s centreline and 5-5.1cm for all other lines.
- It is recommended, but not required, that all lines be painted white, and where some line markings are shared with any other sport(s), it is not a requirement that all the line markings being are the same colour.
- Unified pitch markings can be used if shared between both codes. LAC 3.2 It is the responsibility of the first named (home) team when confirming the fixture (note REG 9.5) to advise the opposition team and all match officials of the playing surface and on any footwear restrictions and the type of surface to be used (note REG 9.3.3).
LAC 4 Match officials Match officials should be appointed as per Appendix 5 (‘BUCS Match Officials Requirements’).
LAC 4.1 All institutions/Playing Entities are required to submit the names of at least two qualified officials within their Men’s/Women’s club(s) who are able to officiate the respective format in the absence of neutral officials by the deadline stated in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document. Failure to do so will lead to sanctions as outlined in the BUCS Sport Specific Affiliations Document and possibly further disciplinary action.
LAC 5 Squad size The maximum squad size shall be 18 players for Men's and Women’s teams.
LAC 6 Substitutes Substitutes shall be used in accordance with the rules of World Lacrosse for the specific gender competition.
LAC 7 Minimum number of players for a fixture to start The minimum number of players per team required for a fixture to start will be eight for Men's and Women’s teams.
LAC 8 Duration of play With the exception of the National Championship and National Trophy finals, in a variation to the rules of World Lacrosse, there shall be no use of stopping clocks, only running clocks
LAC 9 Ties in league matches A tie in league matches can occur. If at the end of normal time the score is tied, then the match will be counted as a draw and each team will receive 1 point.
LAC 10 Ties in knockout matches In the event of a tie at the end of regulation time, the overtime procedures as outlined in the rules of World Lacrosse for the specific gender competition shall be followed.
LAC 11 Additional Tier 1 and below / National Trophy / Conference Cup specific requirements If during a match, the scoreline reaches a point where one team has scored eight more goals than the other, then the restart following the goal which led to this scoreline shall be uncontested, with the ball awarded to the losing team at the halfway line to restart play. All players will remain under the same field constraints as if it was a contested restart. This shall continue to be the case after each goal scored until the score difference becomes less than eight goals, at which point a contested restart shall be reintroduced.
LAC 12 Additional Women’s Lacrosse specific requirements
LAC 12.1 It is recommended that all players should wear protective and appropriate eye goggles.
