Offense / Defense Policy

At the Canadian Lacrosse level, it was decided that the use of the Offense / Defense coaching tactic is detrimental to the development of minor lacrosse players. 

Definition

Offense / Defense is defined as a tactic whereby, while at even strength, any player, or group of players, leaving the bench and deliberately returning to the bench without the benefit of participation of play in both the offensive and defensive zones during the same shift.

How Offense / Defense Will Be Called

The Offense / Defense rule is to be applied in the Junior Female age division and below.  The rule will be in effect in all sanctioned BCLA games, including zone play, invitation tournaments and Provincial Championships. 

Provincial and Tournament Coach Representatives will be responsible for calling these infractions.

At all Minor Nationals, the Canadian Lacrosse Association's Convener will be responsible for determining if a team is using an Offense / Defense system during the game.  The Convener may establish a committee to assist in determining whether it is being used.

The Convener will advise the offending team coaches at the end of the current period of play. 

Three main indicators to help determine if a team may be using this tactic are:

1. Teams who change players in accordance with changing possession of the ball.
2. Teams using offensive ("Out" or "Front" door) and defense "In" or "Back" door) bench gates to substitute players during play.
3. If a player is only playing at one end of the floor; either in the offensive or defensive end.

Penalty For using Offense / Defense

The following discipline is to be assessed to the Head Coach of any team who is guilty of using Offense / Defense at any point during a game:

1st infraction in a game:

Will result in the removal of the Head Coach for the remainder of the game, or the Coach in charge of the bench if the Head Coach has previously be removed or suspended.  If the violation occurs in the final period of the game, the Head Coach or the Coach in charge of the bench will be suspended for the following game.

2nd infraction during the tournament:

Will result in the expulsion of the Head Coach, or the Coach in charge of the bench if the Head Coach has previously been removed or suspended, for the remainder of the tournament.  The suspended Coach or Coaches and the BCLA will be referred to the Canadian Lacrosse Association Discipline Committee for further review.

If a team does not have properly trained coaches on the Team Registration Form sufficient to complete the event, the team will forfeit all further games.