Welcome to Sunshine Events Group Lacrosse Tournaments!

Please familiarize yourself with these guidelines before participating.

Game Structure

Game Length

• 20-minute running halves (officials keep time)
• 3-minute halftime
• 7-minute break between games

Penalties & Timeouts

• Penalty duration is 1.5 times the infraction
• Timeouts can be called during penalties
• Penalty time stops (game time continues unless under 2 minutes)

Mercy Rule

• A 6-goal lead triggers mercy rule for age groups below High School
• Losing team chooses to receive the ball after a goal or initiate a face-off

Other Game Rules

• One 1-minute timeout per half
• Game clock stops under 2 minutes remaining if goal differential is less than 2

Overtime

Pool Play Games

• Braveheart format: 2 field players and a goalie
• Goalie can cross midfield as long as one player stays on sides
• No timeouts or substitutions

Playoff Games

• 4-minute sudden victory with one timeout per team
• Braveheart commences if no winner emerges

Championship Games

• 10-minute sudden victory with one timeout per team
• Braveheart follows if overtime is scoreless

Tournament Participation

Guaranteed Games & Divisions

• Each team receives a minimum of four games
• Divisions based on US Lacrosse age guidelines (no exemptions)

Multi-Team Play

• Players can compete on multiple teams, but not in the same division
• Switching teams for playoffs is prohibited
• Tournament directors reserve the right to intervene for rule abuse

Early Departure

• Teams leaving early forfeit remaining games
• May be excluded from future Sunshine Events Group Tournaments unless both opponents approve

Weather & Injury

• Tournament reserves the right to shorten, extend, or cancel games

Seeding & Tiebreakers

Playoff Seeding

• Based on record, head-to-head, goals against, then goal differential
• Exceptions may apply in 3-way tiebreakers (see "Tie Breaker Explained" page)

Girls' Division Rules

Lower School (7v7)

• 2-2-2 on draw; 2 stay back at midfield
• No checking; modified pocket allowed
• Goalies must wear thigh pads and shin guards
• Draw after every goal (except mercy rule—receiving team gets ball at midfield)
• 1v1 defense in midfield; foul = player goes back 4 yards
• Yellow card = 2-minute penalty with substitution allowed

Middle School

• Follows USA Lacrosse U14 rules
• Transitional checking allowed (crosse must be outside 12-inch sphere of shoulder and head)
• No deputies permitted
• Goalies must wear thigh pads and shin guards

High School

• High School goalies required to wear thigh pads

7v7 Games

• Onside rule applies: 2 attack, 2 midfield, 2 defense, 1 goalie
• Penalty: offending player substituted; opposing team gets 3v2 fast break with trailing middies 5 yards back
• Maximum stick length: 54 inches (maximum 2 long poles)
• Face-off after every goal (except mercy rule)
• Goalies are mandatory
• Tied games: 3v3 Braveheart immediately after regulation (no substitutions). Championship games go to 7v7 sudden death with one timeout per team.

Conduct & Facility Rules

Sportsmanship

• Flagrant disrespect toward officials, players, coaches, or spectators may result in game or tournament ejection

Spectators & Team Areas

• Remain outside designated team areas and off the field
• Please clean up your team bench area after each game

Player Waivers

All players must submit a completed online waiver before participating.

Access waivers through the "Waivers" tab on this site.

We encourage fair play and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Have fun!