Battle of The Border 2026 Boys Rules and Format

All games will be governed by USA Lacrosse rules adapted for club play, with the following exceptions and clarifications. These rules will be strictly enforced.

Game Format

  • Game Length: Two 20-minute halves, running clock.

  • Halftime: 2 minutes.

  • Game & Penalty Time: Kept at the scorer’s table.

  • Championship Games: There is stop time under 1 minute if the score differential is within 2.

Timeouts

  • 1 timeout per game (30 seconds).

  • Clock runs during timeouts (game and penalty clocks).

  • Timeouts do not carry into overtime.

  • No timeouts under 5 minutes.

  • Teams must have the ball in the offensive box to call a timeout.

Overtime Rules

  • Sudden Victory Format.

  • No team huddles before overtime—proceed immediately to faceoff.

  • Pool Play Overtime: One 4-minute sudden-death period (10v10). If no goal is scored, the game ends in a tie.

  • Playoff Overtime: Unlimited sudden-death periods until a goal is scored.

Penalties

  • Time and a half for penalties due to running clock:

    • 30-second = 45-second penalty

    • 60-second = 90-second penalty

  • Penalty time begins on whistle restart and runs with the game clock.

  • Penalty clock stops only for end of halves.

  • Players do not release during stoppages—only when play restarts.

  • Two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties = ejection.

  • Ejected players or coaches must sit out the following game unless officials believe offense is worthy of tournament ejection.

Clearing / Advancement

  • 20 seconds to cross the midline after gaining possession.

  • No over-and-back until 20 seconds have elapsed.

Stalling

  • Stalling will be called early, if it is occurring, to encourage a faster pace of play.

  • Refs will warn teams to initiate offense: “Let’s see some offense.”

  • If delaying continues, ref will call: “Clock is on” and initiate a 20-second shot clock.

  • Team must take a legitimate shot (hits the goal or goalie) before timer expires or possession is forfeited.

Crease Play

  • No crease diving.

Player Eligibility

  • Players may only play on one team per event.

  • Exceptions must be cleared with Tournament Directors before the event starts.

  • Teams using players on multiple rosters without approval will forfeit playoff seeding and be placed in the consolation bracket.

Score Discrepancies

  • Only head coaches may challenge posted scores—at the main tent.

  • No challenges accepted after Saturday play ends.

  • No calls or emails Saturday night—check scores by round.

Seeding & Tiebreakers

Championship Round Seeding Criteria (in order):

  1. Win/Loss Record

  2. Head-to-Head (if applicable)

  3. Fewest Total Goals Allowed

  4. Most Total Goals Scored

  5. Goal Differential (capped at 8 per game)

  6. Coin Flip

If 3+ Teams are Tied:

  1. Fewest Goals Allowed

  2. Most Goals Scored

  3. Goal Differential

  4. Coin Flip

Officials

  • Each game will be officiated by two OLOA or WLOA officials.

  • All calls are final.

  • Arguing with officials may result in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

Final Two Minutes Rule

  • If a team is leading within 2 goals in the final two minutes, they must keep the ball in the offensive box.

  • Championship Games: There is stop time under 1 minute if the game is within 2 goals.

    • If a team is trailing by 3 goalies with under a minute remaining the clock will stop on the goal.