SBYL Youth Lacrosse Team Placement Policy

Approved: February 2026

1. Purpose

The South Burlington Youth Lacrosse (SBYL) placement policy is designed to standardize our team selection process. Our primary goal is to provide every player with an environment that maximizes development, enjoyment, and safety. This policy ensures transparency and objectivity, aligning our program with the values of USA Lacrosse and the Northern Vermont Youth Lacrosse League (NVTYLL).

2. Eligibility & Age Groupings

SBYL adheres to NVTYLL grade-based groupings:

  • 3/4th grade
  • 5/6th grade
  • 7/8th grade 

For 3rd/4th and 5th/6th, If registration numbers require multiple teams, they will be balanced equally regarding skill, experience, and age. No "A" or "B" teams. The Level Director will recommend balanced teams rosters for BOD approval.

For 7th/8th, If registration numbers require multiple teams, players will be placed on White (Division 1) or Green (Division 2) teams. Placement is based on skill level to ensure they compete against appropriate opposition.

  • "A" Team (White): Composed of the top evaluated players. This team will play in the higher level divisions of NVTYLL
  • "B" Team (Green): This team will play in the lower level divisions of NVTYLL.
  • Placement Criteria: Players will be placed based on:
    • Lacrosse Skills (Catching, throwing, ground balls, shooting, defense)
    • Lacrosse IQ (Game understanding, Field awareness, off-ball movement)
    • Athleticism (Speed, agility, endurance)
    • Effort & Attitude (Coachability, sportsmanship)
    • Grade level Where two players are equal in the above criteria, preference will be given to the older grade level.

3. Level wide practice

At all age levels, while we might have multiple teams for game purposes, age level teams will practice together the majority of the time and we will strive to create a cohesive and supportive  learning environment for all players. 


4. Placement Process

The following procedures apply to 7th/8th grade divisions:

  • There are no formal or designated “try outs” or “evaluations”
  • All practices before the first game will be used to review and evaluate players.
  • Before the last practice before the first game of the season, The Level Director will draft team rosters based on observation of practices and input from coaches.
  • No players will be cut from the program based on skill level.
  • BOD reviews and approves final rosters.

5. "Playing Up" Policy

It is the general policy of SBYL that players compete in their designated age/grade bracket. Requests to play up are generally discouraged due to safety and social development concerns.

Exceptions are made ONLY under these conditions:

  1. With parental and coach permission, 2nd graders are able to play on the 3rd/4th grade team. 
  2. Program Need: The older age group lacks sufficient numbers to field a viable roster.
  3. Exceptional Skill: The player evaluates in the top 10% of the older age group’s "A" team. A player will not be moved up to sit on the bench or play on a "B" team.
  4. Board Approval: All play-up requests must be approved by the Board of Directors.
  • Note: Playing up is a one-season privilege, not a permanent placement.

6. "Playing Down" Policy

Playing down (competing in a younger age bracket) is strictly prohibited by league insurance and safety rules, with the sole exception of:

  • Documented Medical/Developmental Needs: A specific waiver may be granted for players with a documented physical or cognitive disability that makes playing with their age peers unsafe. This requires approval from the SBYL Board and NVTYLL.

7. Roster Size Guidelines

To ensure adequate playing time, we aim for the following roster sizes:

  • 3rd/4th (7v7): Min 8, Max 16
  • 5th/6th and 7th/8th (10v10): Min 14, Max 24

8. Goalie Placement

Goalies are essential assets.

  • If multiple goalies exist at an age level, they may split time or rotate games.
  • If a team has no goalie, the program may allow a player from a younger division to "play up" specifically as a goalie, provided safety assessments are cleared.

9. Grievance & Dispute Resolution

We recognize that team placement can be an emotional time for players and parents.

  • 24-Hour Rule: Parents must wait 24 hours after roster announcements before submitting a grievance.
  • Procedure:
    1. Grievances must be submitted in writing (email) to the President.
    2. The email must clearly state the concern based on policy violations, not subjective opinion of skill.
    3. The Board will review the grievance based on the policy.
    4. The Board’s decision on placement is final.

NVTYLL Rules

Age Definition

  • U15  Under 15 at December 31st prior to season, and not in 9th grade
  • U13 Under 13 at December 31st prior to season, and not in 7th grade
  • U11 Under 11 at December 31st prior to season, and not in 5th grade
  • Exceptions only with NVTYLL Board approval.  Procedure will be majority Board vote by email.
  • Intentional illegal player violations by coach results in a 2 year suspension from NVTYLL sponsored play.  Determination will be made subject to a Board hearing by majority Board vote.
  • Players illegally playing down to any division will be ejected for the season and the team will be eliminated from any playoffs and ineligible for any titles or awards.


Game Format

U15 and U13 – 2 game jamborees

*For single games, 10 minute stop time quarters if coaches agree.

U11 – 2 game jamborees

*For single games, 12 minute running time quarters if coaches agree.

  • 4 quarters
  • 8 minute stop time
  • 3 minutes between quarters
  • 6 minute half
  • 2, 2-minute time-outs per half for each team
  • 1, 4 minute sudden victory overtime
  • 4 quarters
  • 10 minute running time
  • 3 minutes between quarters
  • 6 minute half
  • 2, 2-minute time-outs per half for each team
  • No overtime

Timing & Penalties

Timing – 20/10 Second Count

No 20 or 10 second count for U15, U13, and U11

Stalling

Stalling shall be enforced for U15 and U13 throughout the game and the team with the lead must keep the ball in goal area during the last two minutes of the game.  No stalling rule for U11.

Penalties

Time serving penalties are enforced and man up situations are permitted for U15, U13, and U11.

Body Checks

Body checking is permitted in U13 and U15 Divisions; however, no take-out checks are permitted by any player. A take out check is defined as any check in which the player lowers his head or shoulder with the force and intent to put the other player on the ground.

Players in the U13 and U15 divisions may make contact in an upright position within five yards of the ball. No body checking of any kind (including man/ball “clear the body” type pushing) is permitted in U11. If a loose ball is not moving in U11, the referee may re-start play by awarding the ball to the team that is in their defensive zone.

One-Handed Stick Checks

One handed checks shall be allowed for U15, U13, and U11.  However, if the one handed check is initiated with the stick hand above the shoulder and executed in a downward motion (a chop) or is used to intimidate another player, it will be ruled a slash.

Mercy Rule

U15, U13, and U11.  In any game and at any point during a game when there is a four-goal lead, the team that is behind will be given the ball at the midfield line in lieu of a face-off as long as the four-point lead is maintained, unless waived by the coach of the trailing team.

Equipment Checks

It is the responsibility of each and every coach to ensure that all players are properly equipped with helmet, shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and mouthguards for every league sanctioned game.  Additionally, coaches must require all goalies to be outfitted with proper chest and throat protection gear.

 Stick/Pocket Checks

U15 and U13 only
Official will make 1 stick check per team per half (player and time randomly selected by the official), ideally during a stoppage in play so as to not slow game.  Coaches can request that the official check one (1) specific, opposing player’s stick per game. Official to check pocket depth and release of ball top and bottom only. No stick dimension measurements unless flagrant violation suspected in official’s judgment. Penalty for an illegal crosse is 1 minute non-releasable and the crosse removed from game until appropriate repairs are made to the crosse.  Player is allowed to repair the crosse and reintroduce it into play at a normal stoppage of play with check by official.

NVTYLL Playoff Overtime Rule

During NVTYLL playoff games overtime rules are the same with this exception:

After the eight minutes of sudden death (2 four minutes periods) each team will remove one defender from the field of play until there is a winner. (9 total players on the field for each team)

For the U15 and U13 level:

Unsportsmanlike Conduct

Personal fouls are to be taken seriously. In addition to the NFHS rules, any player or coach who uses derogatory or profane language (starting with “damn”) on the field or bench, whether addressing a player, coach or referee may receive: first offense, 1 to 3-minute non-releasable unsportsmanlike conduct penalty; second offense a 3-minute non-releasable expulsion foul.

Play-Off Seeding

The top four teams from each division will qualify for the playoffs based on the following criteria:

Lightning Policy

NVTYLL has adopted the NFHS guidelines with regard to lightning:


    • Official will make 1 stick check per team per half (player and time randomly selected by the official), ideally during a stoppage in play so as to not slow game.  Coaches can request that the official check one (1) specific, opposing player’s stick per game.
    • Official to check pocket depth and release of ball top and bottom only.
    • No stick dimension measurements unless flagrant violation suspected in official’s judgment.
    • Penalty for an illegal crosse is 1 minute non-releasable and the crosse removed from game until appropriate repairs are made to the crosse.  Player is allowed to repair the crosse and reintroduce it into play at a normal stoppage of play with check by official.
    • In the event of a points standings tie playoff spots will be based on head-to- head match-ups.
    • In the event of a tie on both criteria 1 and 2 the playoff spot will be awarded to the team that allowed the fewest goals during the season.
    • In the event of a tie on the above three criteria a coin toss will be conducted by the league.
    • The top four teams from each division will be based on team points standings from the regular season (league play only)
    • A 30-second or less flash-to-bang count calls for immediate removal of the athletes from the field to an appropriate shelter.
    • Thirty minute rule.  Once play has been suspended, wait at least thirty minutes after the last flash of lightning is witnessed or thunder is heard prior to resuming play.



      NVTYLL Code of Conduct

      The NVTYLL has adopted the policy and philosophy of the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) with respect to “Honoring the Game” for all NVTYLL participants including players, coaches, officials, and spectators as follows:

      PCA believes the time has come to unite behind a powerful new term, “Honoring the Game.” Coaches, parents, and athletes need to realize that an Honoring the Game perspective needs to replace the common win-at-all-cost perspective. If a coach and his or her team have to dishonor the game to win it, what is this victory really worth, and what sort of message is this sending young athletes?

      If Honoring the Game is to become the youth sports standard, it needs a clear definition. At PCA we say that Honoring the Game goes to the “ROOTS” of positive play. Each letter in ROOTS stands for an important part of the game that we must respect. The R stands for Rules. The first O is for Opponents. The next O is for Officials. T is for Teammates, and the S is for Self.

      R is for Rules

      Rules allow us to keep the game fair. If we win by ignoring or violating the rules, what is the value of our victory? PCA believes that honoring the letter AND the spirit of the rule is important.

      O is for Opponents

      Without an opponent, there would be no competition. Rather than demeaning a strong opponent, we need to honor strong opponents because they challenge us to do our best. Athletes can be both fierce and friendly during the same competition (in one moment giving everything to get to a loose ball, and in the next moment helping an opponent up). Coaches showing respect for opposing coaches and players sets the tone for the rest of the team.

      O is for Officials

      Respecting officials, even when we disagree with their calls, may be the toughest part of Honoring the Game. We must remember that officials are not perfect (just like coaches, athletes and parents!). Take time to think about how to best approach an official when you want to discuss a call. What strategies do you have to keep yourself in control when you start to get upset with officials” calls? We must remember that the loss of officials (and finding enough in the first place) is a major problem in most youth sports organizations, and we can confront this problem by consistently respecting officials.

      T is for Teammates

      It’s easy for young athletes to think solely about their own performance, but we want athletes to realize that being part of a team requires thinking about and respecting one’s teammates. This respect needs to carry beyond the field/gym/track/pool into the classroom and social settings. Athletes need to be reminded that their conduct away from practices and games will reflect back on their teammates and the league, club, or school.

      S is for Self

      Athletes should be encouraged to live up to their own highest personal standard of Honoring the Game, even when their opponents are not. Athletes” respect for themselves and their own standards must come first.

      Having this definition of Honoring the Game (HTG) is a start. To make Honoring the Game the youth sports standard, coaches, leaders, and parents need to discuss HTG with their athletes. Coaches need to practice it with their athletes (i.e. have players officiate at practice). And perhaps most importantly, all adults in the youth sports setting (coaches, leaders, parents, officials, and fans) need to model it. If these adults Honor the Game, the athletes will too.

      NVTYLL Rules Addendum

      In addition, the NVTYLL Board has endorsed the following NFHS guidelines intended to address the issues of proper conduct both on and off the field at NVTYLL events. These guidelines are designed to support the kind of environment for our youth athletes that will keep them playing lacrosse and provide them with such a positive experience that they will remain in the game and later give back to the sport as coaches, officials, and parents who encourage their own children to play. The NVTYLL Board of Directors recognizes that points 1, 2, and 3 below will be difficult to put in place in all NVTYLL programs, the NVTYLL Board considers these guidelines to be recommendations only for the 2010 lacrosse season.

      1) Spectators and Teams on Opposite Sides of Field

      Spectators and fans will be placed on the opposite side of the field from the table and bench areas. If the field is laid out in a manner that does not allow spectators and fans to be located on the far side of the field, the referee can waive this requirement. When stands or seating facilities are not provided on the opposite side of the field, spectators, fans, and parents will observe the 6-yard spectator limit line on the far side of the field.

      2) Sideline Managers

      Each youth lacrosse team will be asked to provide a designated Sideline Manager (one adult per team, on site, per game-day contest) to help encourage, maintain and manage the sportsmanlike behavior of spectators and fans. These adults would be responsible for insuring that the spectators and fans support the athletes, coaches and officials in a positive manner and refrain from behavior not in conformity with the US Lacrosse Code of Conduct. The Sideline Managers will receive training prior to these contests by reviewing the document “Sideline Manager Job Description” provided by US Lacrosse and the US Lacrosse – Positive Coaching Alliance, available online at: http://www.uslacrosse.org/official/sportsmanshipcard.phtml, or by requesting a paper copy of this document through their local US Lacrosse Chapter. Sideline managers will introduce themselves to the officials prior to the coin toss, and follow those procedures outlined in the Sideline Manager Job Description, found at the referenced US Lacrosse website location. Sideline Managers will notify an unruly fan or spectator that unsportsmanlike behavior may lead to ejection and/or a game cancellation by the officials, under Game Termination – Guideline 4.

      3) Auxiliary Officials

      Each youth lacrosse team will be asked provide one adult who will be trained as an Auxiliary Youth Official. In the event that one or both of the scheduled officials does not appear to perform officiating duties, the Auxiliary Official(s) would be asked to referee the game. The Auxiliary Official could be an active parent attending his or her child’s game or another adult affiliated with the organization or town hosting the event. The Auxiliary Official will have completed US Lacrosse Level 1 Officials Training for boys’/men’s lacrosse and have active membership status in US Lacrosse as an official, but will not be assigned a schedule of league games.

      4) Game Termination

      Officials will have authority to terminate a NVTYLL game in response to flagrant acts of unsportsmanlike behavior by coaches, athletes, spectators, or fans. A game termination will be the last resort in insuring the players’ safety and preserving the integrity of the game. If possible, game officials will issue at least one strong warning that the game is in danger of being terminated. However, it is conceivable that games may be terminated on the first instance of a flagrant unsportsmanlike act. Every effort should be taken to avoid game termination, including the enforcement of existing rules for team-conduct penalties, unsportsmanlike-conduct penalties, and ejection fouls. Mechanics for terminating a game for flagrant unsportsmanlike behavior can be found at the US Lacrosse webpage referenced above. All games terminated by a US Lacrosse Official, will result in a 1-0 victory for the team that is innocent of the terminal offense(s). If terminated under these conditions, the game will count in league statistics as a full game, and all goals, assists, saves, and other team statistics should count toward team and league records.