TOURNAMENT POLICIES
All participants are expected to read the official Tournament Policies prior to arriving onsite.
Rosters / Waivers / Player Eligibility
- League Apps will act as the default team roster. All players participating in this event must be registered as a player on League Apps for one team and can only play with that team for the duration of the tournament.
- Only currently registered players who agree and complete the “Release and Waiver of Liability,” may participate in tournament games.
- Teams may not move or transfer players between teams within or outside of the club regardless of eligibility; i.e. players cannot play for more than one team. Any exception must be submitted to the Tournament Director and approved before tournament play begins.
- Players may play up, but never down a High School graduation year division
- Violations to roster/waiver/player eligibility rules will result in team forfeiting games and/or playoff status.
- If a coach asks for a roster check, the Tournament Director will check team and player registration:
- If player is registered for the team they are playing on and fits the age guidelines there is no punishment.
- If a player is not registered but belongs on the contested team the player may be ejected and the game may be deemed a 1-0 forfeit, but game play may continue. All decisions will be made by Tournament Director.
- If a player is moved within a club from one team to another both the player and BOTH TEAMS may be subject to ejection or forfeit.
General Responsibility and Conduct
- Athletic trainers are available onsite for emergencies and tournament injuries only. Athletic trainers are not permitted to tape prior injuries.
- Only the head coaches are permitted to address the officials. Coaches are expected to do so in a courteous manner. Please treat all officials, opponents, spectators and tournament staff with the same respect that you would like to be shown.
- This tournament is a hate-free environment. There will be zero tolerance for racist, homophobic, sexist or derogatory language of any kind. This includes on the field, off the field, in the stands, players, coaches and spectators. If this type of language is heard, that person will be asked to leave the tournament immediately.
- Verbal abuse of officials and staff from players, coaches or spectators will not be tolerated. Flagrant violations may result in a team disqualification at the tournament director’s discretion; no refunds will be given to any team that is dismissed.
Weather / Safety Policy
- Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival reserves the right to cancel, shorten, convert format (no playoffs) or reschedule tournament games due to inclement weather, poor field conditions, or player and fan safety concerns. No refunds will be granted if these actions are necessary.
Lightning Policy
- If lightning is observed, the staff will suspend play immediately. Players and fans will be asked to leave the fields. Play will be allowed to resume 30 minutes after the last sight of lightning is observed.
- Games will re-start in real time for whatever is scheduled when they resume.
Refunds
- No team will receive a full refund.
- No refund of any kind for a team that registered and withdraws after the final payment deadline.
- No refunds will be issued if the tournament is cancelled or shortened for any reason, including inclement weather or any other force majeure.
Disputes
- Disputes of any nature are settled by the Tournament Directors and are final.
SCORING & RULES
All participants are expected to read the official Scoring & Rules information prior to arriving onsite.
Pool Play / Consolation Game Format
- 21-minute running halves with a 3 minute running halftime
- No timeouts. No overtime.
- A central horn regulates time for all pool-play & consolation games
- 2024 NFHS rules with the modifications below
- During stopped play for an injury, time will remain running
Playoff Game Format
- 21 minute running halves with a 3 minute running halftime.
- Game time is kept by referees on the field.
- One 1 minute time out is allotted per team in regulation.
- The timeout does NOT roll over to OT. No timeouts allowed in OT.
- Timeout can be called when the team calling the timeout is in possession of the ball, anywhere on the field or any dead ball (NFHS).
- The clock will stop.
- If an injury occurs:
- With 2 minutes and less remaining, the clock will stop with the injury.
- With more 2 minutes or more remaining, up to 1:00 minute will be deducted from the clock to assess the injury before the clock is stopped.
- With 2:01 minutes or more remaining when the game is stopped, a maximum of 1 minute will come off the clock to assess the injury before the clock is stopped.
- In the event of a tie at the end of a playoff game:
- There will be a 1 minute rest period followed by Sudden Victory Overtime. First team to score wins.
- Teams will defend the same goal they defended in the first half.
- Overtime will have a running clock on all whistles.
Rule Specifications
- 2024 NFHS rules in effect for ALL DIVISIONS (except girls 2031/32 division).
- Penalty time and score will be kept at the field table by the field marshal
- Officials may inspect sticks and equipment.
- Officials have the right to eject any player, coach or spectator from the field.
Scoring Policy
- A field marshal is assigned to each field to keep score. Coaches of both teams are to confirm the score at halftime and again at the conclusion of the game. Each coach will sign the scorecard at the conclusion of the game. Once the scorecard is signed by the coach, no disputes can be made. Once confirmed, the field marshal is responsible for reporting scores to the site headquarters.
- All scoring issues / disputes must be addressed on the field during or immediately following the game (before the scorecard is signed). The Tournament Director / Official may be requested by a coach to the field as needed via the field marshal.
FREE AGENCY
Free agency is a $25 non refundable fee.
Player Placement via Free Agency:
- The Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival does not guarantee that players will be placed on a team, however, on average, over 80% of Free Agents are claimed. Most free agents are claimed between 1 and 8 weeks prior to the tournament.
Being Claimed by an attending team:
- The Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival updates the Free Agency list weekly. Coaches / admins of attending teams have access to the Free Agency List and will reach out to parents directly if they are interested in adding your child as a guest player. Teams have the right to request that players pay an additional player fee for their team. It is the responsibility of the team and player to have this direct conversation.
- If a player has agreed to play for a team at the tournament, please contact reid@legendslax.com and confirm placement. We will add the player to the correct roster in League Apps and remove the player from the available Free Agency List so players will not be contacted by other teams.
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
- All players must be registered in League Apps.
- Players can only play for one team at the tournament.
- The team the player is registered to in League Apps is the team the player is eligible to play for.
- If a player is not registered in League Apps and/or playing for multiple teams:
- Players run the risk of being removed from the event.
- Teams run the risk of forfeiting games.
2030 & Younger
- All players competing in the 2030 division & younger must meet both grad year and birthday requirements.
- Players must be enrolled in the correct grade that matches the grad year & they must also meet the birth date cutoff.
- If any player only meets one requirement, they need to play up.
Player Age Restrictions
2025-2029 Division
- These are grad year based. A player must be enrolled in the grad year to compete.
2030 Division
- Players cannot turn 14 prior to March 1, 2025.
2031 Division
- Players cannot turn 13 prior to March 1, 2025.
2032 Division
- Players cannot turn 12 prior to March 1, 2025.
2033 Division
- Players cannot turn 11 prior to March 1, 2025.
2034 Division
- Players cannot turn 10 prior to March 1, 2025.
PAYMENTS & REFUND POLICY
Deposits are $500/team and non-refundable. Once a deposit is received, the team’s spot is reserved until October 1, 2024. Full payment is due by October 1, 2024. If a team is not paid IN FULL by October 1, 2024 teams are at risk of losing the spot to a team on the waitlist and will not be confirmed or scheduled.
Refund and Credit Policy
- Before September 30, 2024:
- Team deposits will be retained by the Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival. The remaining fees paid by the team will be refunded.
- Between October 1 and December 1, 2024:
- Team deposits will be retained by the Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival. The remaining fees paid by the team will be credited for use in following year’s Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival. December 2, 2024 and after:
- Team deposits and all fees paid will be retained by the Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival. No refunds or credits will be issued.
*No refunds will be issued if the tournament is canceled or shortened for any reason, including inclement weather or any other force majeure.
The Game.
Good sportsmanship and honoring the spirit of the game are at the heart of the Sand Storm Lacrosse Festival. We believe that lacrosse is not only about skill and competition, but also about respect, integrity and camaraderie. We expect all attendees demonstrate respect for opponents, officials and the game itself to ensure that everyone can enjoy the tournament in a positive and supportive environment.
