Now that the bulk of the 2017 season has passed for youth lacrosse, the US Lacrosse Men’s Rules Committee has deployed a rules survey to obtain feedback from coaches, officials, players, and parents.

The results from this survey provide the committee with valuable opinions and suggestions regarding the new 2017 rules, potential rule changes for the 2018 season, and general feedback regarding the rules and the youth rulebook.

“We are seeking feedback on ways we can make the game better,” said Rick Lake, senior manager for the men’s game at US Lacrosse. “This survey is an opportunity for all youth game participants to share their experiences with the Men's Rules Committee and impact possible changes for next season.”

Online Survey Link

In early 2016, US Lacrosse launched the Lacrosse Athlete Development Model (LADM) as part of its effort towards providing leadership, structure and resources need to fuel the sport's growth and enrich the experience of participants.

Later that summer, the US Lacrosse Men’s Rules Committee was charged with writing rules for 14U, 12U, 10U, 8U and 6U. An effort like this had never been done for youth lacrosse as the youth rules previously were simply modifications to the NFHS rules.

“The rulebook we were creating had to support and reinforce the principles laid out in the LADM,” Lake said.

Some of the most prominent changes made to the 2017 rules affected play at 10U and below, with format or administrative changes to appropriate field sizes for age, reduced number of on-field participants, game length, and changes to smaller goal sizes. As far as the playing rules themselves, there were very few changes or additions made.

While the 14U game had very few changes in 2017 and mirrors the NFHS rules, a notable change at 12U, 10U, and 8U was a clarification that better defined the type of allowable body contact and stick checks.

“We simplified the existing rules at the younger ages so that new players, parents, coaches, and officials could easily learn, teach, and officiate the game,” Lake said. “Our rules will continue to provide developmentally appropriate competition formats to align with the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of youth boys’ players.”

