Player’s Handbook1. Code of Conduct

2. Players Sportsmanship3. Offense4. Defense

5. Rides6. Clears

Code of Conduct• Play for the fun of it, not just to please your parents

or coach.• Play by the rules.• Never argue with or complain about the referee calls

of decisions.• Control your temper and most of all; resist the

temptation to retaliate when you feel you have been wronged

• Concentrate on playing lacrosse and on affecting the outcome of the game with your best effort

• Be a good sport by cheering all good plays, whether it’s your team’s or your opponents.

Code of Conduct (Cont’d)• Remember that the goals of the game are to have

fun, improve skills and feel good. Don’t be a “show-off”.

• Cooperate with your coaches, teammates, opponents, and referees.

• Be on time for practices and games and be committed to giving your best at all times. Missing practice will impact playing time in games.

• Be respectful of your coaches and teammates.• Foul language will not be acceptable at any and all

team events.

Code of Conduct (Cont’d)• The Great Falls Youth Lacrosse Association

has a zero tolerance policy in regard to drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. Violations shall result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program.

• All players and their parent/guardian must confirm their agreement to the GFYLA Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship Pledge by signing the pledge.

Sportsmanship• I am playing lacrosse to have fun and improve my skills, but I

understand that in playing lacrosse, I have obligations to my team, my coach, and the officials who run the game.

• I will display good sportsmanship at all times. I will be courteous and respectful to my teammates, coaches, referees and opponents at all times. I understand that coaches and referees volunteer their time so that I can play lacrosse.

• Lacrosse is a team sport, and my team needs me to try my best, just as I want my teammates to try their best. I will therefore give 100% effort at games and practices, and I will encourage and support my teammates. I will be a "team player."

• I will listen to my coaches and practice hard. I may make some mistakes, and my teammates might also, but we will all learn from them.

• I will be on time for all practices and games, and I will wear the required protective equipment at all games and practices and keep it well maintained. I will not play with someone who is not wearing protective equipment.

• I am responsible for knowing the rules of the game, and I will play by the rules.

Sportsmanship (Cont’d)• I will not argue with referees or players, and I will not complain

about any referee’s calls. • I will control my temper. I will not swear or use obscene or

insensitive language or gestures, and I will not retaliate against another player even if I feel I have been wronged.

• I will be modest in victory and gracious in defeat. • I will respect the athletic fields and facilities that are made available

so that I may play lacrosse, and I will not damage them.• My team and I represent the community of Great Falls and the

GFYLA when we travel to play in a tournament or away game and I understand that any wrongdoing, such as shoplifting, destruction of property, consumption of drugs or alcohol, and/or profanity which occurs in connection with our travel, will not be tolerated.

• I understand that playing lacrosse is a privilege and not a right, and I may lose that privilege at any time for inappropriate behavior.

Offense• Deuces• 30’s and 40’s• Wheel• 50’s and 60’s• 1-4-1

Deuces

Deuces

30’s and 40’s

Wheel

50’s and 60’s

1-4-1

Defense• The basics:–Man to Man– Zone–Man Down

• The Constants– Talk!– Footwork and body position are key– Harass with poke checks

Man to Man• Call out your man’s number• Cover your assigned opponent.• Communicate to your teammates, and

listen to the information they provide• Stick topside! Nobody can score from

behind the goal.• Lockoff’s and Press Play are

specialties.

Man to Man

Zone• Many types, so your coach will have

his own.• Communication is huge to pass off

opponents between different sectors!• Cover high-threat areas.

Generic Zone

Man Down• Basic “Box and

One”• Keep it tight• Communicate!

Rides• Man to Man (man down, defense has

goalie)– Force the long pass

• Zone– Communication to pass of opponents

from zone to zone• Hard– Hard press ride for tight game situations

Clears• Endline – Defense or Goalie takes it• Sideline – Middie takes it• “400” – Middie takes an endline clear

in special circumstances.

Clears (Illustrated)

Defensive Terminology“Hot” GF player responsible for the first slide“Two” GF player responsible for the second slide“Backside” GF player responsible for covering two players furthest

away from the ball during a slide

“Slide” goalie or defensive communicator’s call to initiate sequence where we provide assistance to the GF defender in need of support

“Go” the actual physical action of “Hot” providing support

“Release” the call from “Two” that actually allows “Hot” to “Go”

“Locked” This term is only to be used when we want to disallow a player from touching the lacrosse ball no matter where they go on the field

Terminology (Cont’d)“Black” A defensive call when we believe our defender can take

the ball from the offensive player – all other players should be “LOCKED”

“Pipe” Goalie call indicating that a player is about to move to the front of the goal from behind the goal. This should mean an increased effort to prevent this continued movement by our defender.

“Ball One” Indicates the location of the ball in our six quadrants

“Push Three” Indicates where our goalie wants the offensive player to be directed by our defensive efforts

Field Quadrants