The tournament is sanctioned by the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) and as such is subject to OLA Paperweight Rules and Regulations. Before the first game Tournament Officials will verify OLA Players and Coaches cards. Please Note: The OLA will not permit the participation of any player or bench staff whose OLA approved card is not available.
OLA Paperweight Rules and Regulations for Tournament Play
1. Game Length. All games are three 16-minute periods running time, with a buzzer after every two minutes indicating the line change. All players must change at each buzzer; players are not permitted to remain on the floor after a line change buzzer except in situations where there are less than ten players on the bench.
2. Coaching. One coach for each team is permitted on the floor for the purpose of assisting players during various points of play (including positioning and general encouragement), provided there is at least one additional adult on the bench. Coaches are not permitted to carry a stick on the floor or to address the officials. Each team must have one certified coach, one carded trainer, and may have up to three OLA-registered volunteers.
3. Facing Off. A face-off will be conducted at the start of each period and following each goal. For any other stoppage, including the two-minute line change buzzer, possession will be awarded by the officials nearest the location where play was stopped.
4. Penalties. Penalties will not be formally assessed. Where an infraction occurs, play will be stopped and the official will briefly explain the infraction. For major infractions, the official may direct the offending player to the player’s bench for the remainder of the shift. A substitute player will be allowed onto the floor.
5. Contact. Within the dotted line of the defensive zone, defending players are able to create contact by using the Place & Push mechanic on the ball-carrier. A defending player’s stick must be placed on the opponent’s arm before the defending player extends their own arms. This allows the defending player to accurately steer the attacking player away from the goal. Once the attacking ball-carrier is pushed outside of the dotted line, they can continue to be pushed until they no longer have the ball, but cannot be pushed into the boards. Defending players cannot make contact with any attacking players who are not the ballcarrier (similar to field lacrosse) at any time, anywhere on the floor. There is no Place & Push or cross-checking allowed on a non-ball-carrier anywhere on the floor
6. Floor strength. Each team must have five runners and a goaltender at all times, except in circumstances where a major infraction has resulted in an offending player returning to the player’s bench for substitution. Teams are not permitted to “pull” or substitute goaltenders at any point in the game.
7. The Game. Officials in the paperweight division are encouraged to exercise professional judgement when officiating. The goal of both the officials and the coaching staff is to introduce the game to players through instruction and encouragement.
Notwithstanding the regulations above, all Lacrosse Canada playing rules are in effect, aside from:
a. There is no shot clock
b. There is no over-and-back in a short-handed situation
c. There is no 10 second count in a short-handed situation
8. Division Structure. Paperweight tournaments are formatted as non-seeded, round robin schedules where teams do not advance to a championship final.