Tournament Rules

Clear Rules. Fast, Fun Lacrosse.

The Great Pumpkin Shootout is designed to keep games moving, give players more touches, and create a safe, competitive, and sportsmanlike tournament experience.

Register Your Team Ask a Rules Question

Quick Format

🥍
Girls 8v8 7 field players plus a goalie
⏱️
25-Minute Games One running-time period
🔁
On-the-Fly Subs Keep the game moving
🏆
Braveheart Tiebreaker Sudden victory if tied
Start Here

The Spirit of the Tournament

Before the details, the first rules are simple: have fun, respect the game, and make this a positive experience for every player, coach, official, and family.

🎃

Have Fun

The tournament should be competitive, but it should also be a memorable fall lacrosse experience for the players.

🤝

Respect Everyone

Players and coaches should respect themselves, teammates, opponents, officials, and the game.

🥍

Play the Right Way

Coaches are responsible for team conduct and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.

Sportsmanship and Team Conduct

  1. Have fun. The Great Pumpkin Shootout is built to be competitive, positive, and enjoyable for players of all abilities.
  2. Respect the game. Players and coaches are expected to respect themselves, teammates, opponents, officials, and the sport of lacrosse.
  3. Sideline supervision is required. Each team must have a coach on the sideline for each game at all times.
  4. Coaches are responsible for conduct. Each coach is responsible for team conduct and sportsmanship throughout the tournament.
  5. Ejections carry over. Any player or coach ejected from a game may not participate in the next game.

Game Format

  1. Girls 8v8 format. Games are played with 7 field players plus a goalie.
  2. Offside setup. Each team must keep three players back on the defensive half of the field, including the goalie, and two players on the offensive side of the field.
  3. Restraining line. The midfield line will serve as the restraining line.
  4. Field setup. The tournament uses a 2-3-2 setup with five players in the attacking zone.
  5. Game length. Each game will be one 25-minute, running-time period.
  6. No timeouts. Games are designed to keep moving and stay on schedule.
  7. Substitutions. All substitutions will be made on the fly.

Starts, Restarts, and Possession

  1. Opening draw. All games will start with a draw.
  2. Players behind GLE. All additional players will start behind the goal line extended.
  3. After a goal. After a goal, the goalie will start possession with a clear on the official’s whistle.
  4. One draw per game. There will be only one draw per game unless the game goes to overtime.
  5. Five-goal margin rule. When there is a five-goal margin, the trailing team will start with possession at midfield after each goal.

Timing, Equipment, and Safety

  1. Central horn. A central horn will be used to signify the start and stop of each game.
  2. Be ready at the horn. All teams are expected to be on the field and ready to play at the start of each game.
  3. Opening possession penalty. Any team that is not ready for the draw at the horn will lose opening possession of the ball.
  4. Safety equipment required. All players are required to wear proper safety equipment during each game, including a mouthpiece.
  5. Checking rules. Checking rules will be applied according to the NFHS rulebook for all divisions.
  6. Pre-game verification. Coaches and officials will verify checking rules prior to each game.

Penalties, Ties, and Special Rules

  1. Penalties. Penalties will be administered according to NFHS and USA Lacrosse rules.
  2. Tie games. Teams involved in a game that ends in a tie at the end of regulation will immediately participate in a sudden victory Braveheart competition.
  3. Braveheart format. Each team will play 1v1 lacrosse until a goal is scored.
  4. Pass-before-shot rule. One attempted pass must be made before a shot can be taken in all divisions except the High School Division.
  5. Goalie clear exception. A clearing pass from the goalie does not count as the required pass before a shot.
Coach reminder: Please review these rules with your players before the tournament so games can start on time and run smoothly.
Helpful Links

Lacrosse Resources

These links are helpful for coaches, parents, and players looking for additional lacrosse information and local context.

NVYLL

Local youth lacrosse league information for Northern Virginia teams and families.

Visit NVYLL

USA Lacrosse

National lacrosse rules, safety resources, development information, and game guidance.

Visit USA Lacrosse

Inside Lacrosse

Lacrosse news, coverage, rankings, and broader sport information.

Visit Inside Lacrosse

Ready to Play?

Bring your team to the Great Pumpkin Shootout for a fast, fun, competitive fall lacrosse experience.

Register Your Team Contact the Tournament

Questions? Please contact Scott Settar at pbklacrosse@gmail.com.