WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
SCHOLASTIC LACROSSE ASSOCIATION

 RULES AND REGULATIONS

INDIVIDUAL ELIGIBILITY
    1.        Before any player is allowed to practice or play, he/she must have a medical examination performed by a licensed physician and must provide a written certification signed by the physician stating that the player's condition and health are satisfactory for participation in the sport of lacrosse.  The medical examination and physician's certificate required by this rule must be obtained and dated no earlier than January 1.
    2.        Before any player is allowed to practice or play, the player's parents or guardians must provide their written consent for the player's participation and a certification of insurance coverage.  In addition, the player and the player's parents or guardians must also provide a written acknowledgment of the risks of participating in the sport of lacrosse, a waiver and release of liability, and an acknowledgment and agreement that the player's participation shall be subject to the WPSLA Constitution and By-Laws, as well as all rules, regulations, and decisions of the WPSLA Board of Directors.
    3.        A player is eligible to participate only for the member team that is sponsored, approved, recognized by, or otherwise affiliated with, the school that the player attends.  Pursuant to Article IV of the Constitution and By-Laws, the Board of Directors may, at its discretion, modify this rule for an associate member.
    4.        WPSLA high school competition is limited to players who are enrolled in grades 9 through 12.  Players enrolled in grade 8 and below are ineligible to play with or against players enrolled in grades 9 through 12. 
    5.        Players who are 19 years old or older shall be ineligible; provided, however, that if a player reaches the age of 19 after July 1, that player will be eligible, agewise, to compete through the end of the school year in which the player turns 19.
    6.        Before the first game, each team shall submit to the Secretary an eligibility roster which shall include each player's name, date of birth, the school the player attends, the grade in which the player is enrolled, and a certification that the player and the player's parents or guardians have provided the physician's certification, consent and certification of insurance, and acknowledgement and waiver of liability forms specified in the preceding paragraphs.
TEAM CLASSIFICATION, SCHEDULES AND TOURNAMENTS
  1.        Before the beginning of regular season competition, the Coaches will develop and submit a written recommendation subject to approval by the WPSLA Board of Directors, placing teams in "A", "B" or "C" classifications based on projected competitive strength, historical competitive strength, number of years the team has been in existence, size of school, and whatever other factors the Coaches and the Board of Directors deem relevant.  A team may schedule and compete against teams in other classifications, but regular season standings, as well as qualification for and entry into post-season tournament play will be determined according to classification.
  2.        In order to be considered for post-season tournament play, a team must play at least eight (8) other WPSLA members.
  3.        Any team that fails to appear for a mutually scheduled contest will, in addition to forfeitting the game, compensate its opponent for game expenses including but not limited to referees, medical services, transportation, lights, field rental and the like.
COACHES
  1.        League coaches are expected to adhere to and practice the ideals set forth in the NCAA Lacrosse Coaches Code of Conduct.
  2.        Coaches are required to emphasize good sportsmanship and appropriate behavior at all times. Coaches are responsible for controlling themselves, their players and their bench.  Fighting, profanity, intemperate language or behavior, and disrespect for opponents, officials or spectators should be avoided and discouraged.
  3.        All Coaches are required to be certified in First Aid and CPR.
  4.        Coaches must be familiar with the NCAA rule book and all WPSLA exceptions.
  5.        Coaches are required to fill out and mail to the WPSLA officials' representative rating cards for officials' performance within 3 days after a contest.
OFFICIALS
  1.        All WPSLA games will be officiated by members of the Allegheny Lacrosse Officials Association except in circumstances when a visiting official is invited to work a game.
  2.        Coaches will be notified in advance of the officials assigned for their home games.
  3.        Officials will have the authority over the "game" from the time of arrival / check-in unitl the teams have completed the post-game handshake and visiting team has departed.
  4.        Officials will be paid the "published" rate per game as communicated in writing from the WPSLA Secretery prior to each season.  Officials should be paid promptly at the end of each game or as determined by Agreement between Official and the WPSLA Board of Directors.
  5.        The WPSLA Board of Directors will notify the the area assignor of any and all WPSLA exceptions to NCAA rules prior to the commencement of upcoming season.  Officials should be thoroughly familiar with WPSLA exceptions prior to working any WPSLA games.
  6.        Before the beginning of the regular season, the WPSLA will appoint an officials' representative to act as liason to the Board of Directors on all issues pertaining to officials.  Any complaints or comments concerning officials should be directed in writing to this officials' representative.
GAME RULES
  1.        The WPSLA will adhere to all Federation Rules* with the exceptions to be determined and announced by the Board of Directors by February of each year.
  2.        The procedure for proposing exceptions to the rules which will govern WPSLA play shall be as follows:
    1. Any member or official may recommend an exception to the WPSLA Board of Directors, or any committee appointed by the Board of Directors for purposes of considering interpretation of the rules or exceptions to the rules (the "Rules Committee"), provided such proposal is submitted within a reasonable time.
    2. The Board of Directors or the Rules Committee will review proposals for rule changes and report their tentative conclusions to the membership at a duly convened meeting.
    3. After an opportunity for discussion and input by the membership, the Rules Committee will make a recommendation concerning proposed rule changes or exceptions and the Board of Directors shall determine whether to adopt any proposed changes exceptions.
    4. Notice of exceptions to the Federation Rules* will be distributed in writing to all members and officials with a specific effective date.
HOME TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
    1.        The home team is required to provide the following for all WPSLA games:
      1. Emergency medical services including a doctor or paramedic and other personnel trained in first aid and emergency care, on site for the entire contest, and ambulance service readily available.  Failure to provide emergency medical services will result in home team forfeit, and the game will not be played.
      2. Telephone communications, including cell phone communications, on site and immediately available, along with emergency phone numbers.
      3. A bench, table area, and personnel to assist with scorekeeping, timekeeping, etc., and at least one chair for timekeeper/tallykeeper for visiting team.
      4. Flags or cones will be provided according to Federation* guidelines.
      5. Horn and emergency evacuation plan.

* The membership amended the Rules and Regulations where all references to the "NCAA" were changed to the "Federation" November 3, 2003. "Federation" refers to the National Federation of State High School Associations or NFHS .
 

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS