Fall 2026 · v 3.5
Updated October 2026

Welcome to Max Lax! This guidebook covers everything players, parents, coaches, and fans need to know for the season. Looking for a specific rule? Use Find It Fast or Rules at a Glance to compare overtime, pass requirements, game length, and more across every age group.

The Purpose of Max Lax

McFly Lacrosse, the operating entity behind Max Lax, is dedicated to strengthening the lacrosse community in Central Indiana. Now in its 10th year, Max Lax offers a unique off-season opportunity for players to play field lacrosse during the colder months. This initiative brings together a significant portion of our local lacrosse community under one roof each week, including players from 1st grade through seniors in high school, adult players, coaches, officials, parents, and fans. We aim to foster opportunities for everyone to form new connections and take pride in nurturing the growth of lacrosse in Indiana, a journey you are a part of.

Our objectives for all players include:

1. Cultivating a heightened enthusiasm for lacrosse
2. Gaining increased on-field confidence through experience
3. Developing an appreciation for well-matched competition
4. Strengthening bonds with teammates (both new and familiar) on and off the field
5. Surprising oneself by performing a new or creative lacrosse skill instinctively

Adult Expectations (Parents, Fans, Coaches)

No Field Access: Parents and fans are not allowed on the Event Center fields, only players and coaches. You may help your son or daughter get his or her equipment on in the nets between fields, but then we ask that you take a seat in the stands. Your son or daughter will exit back through those same nets and you can meet them there.

Sportsmanship/Conduct: We encourage everyone to display good sportsmanship while in the stands and on the sidelines. Please cheer solely for your child’s team, and refrain from criticizing anyone, including the officials. All participants registered for Max Lax, including parents and guardians, have agreed to our shared code of conduct with USA Lacrosse, which will be enforced if necessary.

Parent Suggestion: On your way to the game, ask your son or daughter to set a goal for themselves. Use that as a personal success metric during the game.

Player Expectations

Player Field Access: Players are only allowed on the field when playing, entering, or exiting. No spectating player is allowed onto the field or the sidelines of another team’s game.

Clean Up After Yourself: No food or drink (other than water) is permitted onto the turf fields at Grand Park. Please be respectful of the facility and the game of lacrosse by cleaning up all trash.

Lost & Found: McFly Lacrosse passes along all non-lacrosse equipment to Grand Park to be added to their Lost & Found. Check in with us for missing lacrosse equipment.

Spectator Expectations

Spectators of Max Lax, including unsupervised children, are not permitted on the closed turf fields, nor are they permitted to climb on any of the Grand Park-owned equipment stored between the nets. Anyone in this area will be instructed to find a seat in the stands above. Only players and parents safely walking to their field (protected by nets) are allowed in this area. We ask that you please help us manage this growing problem and keep Max Lax in good standing with Grand Park so we can continue to operate without having to hire more staff to police this issue.

Find It Fast

Fall 2026 Season Schedule

The Fall 2026 season runs seven weeks at the Grand Park Events Center in Westfield, IN, with Week 7 serving as Tournament Night. Your team’s exact game times and fields are always in LeagueApps.

Weekly Field Layout

Here is where each program typically plays each week. Times are when your team takes the field. EC2 and EC3 are the Event Centers shown on the Grand Park Map.

This is the typical weekly layout. Your team’s exact start time and field are always in LeagueApps.

Season Calendar

Thanksgiving week moves to Monday (Friday programs) and Tuesday (Thursday programs). Tournament Night game times and matchups will be announced in LeagueApps.

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Jerseys: Navy (Home) & White (Away)

Every Max Lax registration includes a reversible Powell Lacrosse jersey. The Home Team (as indicated in LeagueApps) always wears the navy side. The Away Team always wears the white side. Please bring your jersey every week.

NAVY = HOME

WHITE = AWAY

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Download LeagueApps Play

LeagueApps Play is the mobile app to view the schedule, RSVP each week, communicate with coaches, teammates, and more. It’s available on both iOS and Android.

LeagueApps Play App Guide

Grand Park Layout

Grand Park Events Center is where all games will be. There are three Event Centers from left to right when you walk in.

• Home Teams will always be on the right (East).
• Away Teams will always be on the left (West).
• Your “locker room”: Before your games, please carefully walk (being mindful of the game in progress) to meet your team in the A, B, C, or D corner of the turf, which acts as your team’s “locker room” before and after your scheduled game time.
• If you put on your equipment before getting to your “locker room” (or in the nets between Event Centers), please move to your locker room once fully dressed with equipment on.
• X & Y locker rooms are only used for 8U Boys, 10U Boys, 8U Girls, 10U Girls, and 12U Girls.
• Stands: EC1 Stands can see fields EC1 and EC2. EC2 Stands can see fields EC2 and EC3.

Short-Sided Field Layout

This season, we host 10U Boys, 10U Girls, and 12U Girls, who all play on smaller fields (known as “short-sided” fields). To accommodate, one Event Center will be divided into three fields with nets separating the fields. Here is an example of that layout:

This season, Boys 10U, Girls 10U, Girls 12U, and 8U Girls play on the EC3 short-sided fields. See the Weekly Field Layout for which field your team is on.

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Rules at a Glance

A quick comparison across age groups. Current (2026) USA Lacrosse and NFHS rules apply unless a Max Lax modification is listed. See Full Rules by Age Group for every detail.

Game Format

• 8U Boys & Girls: Coach-led skills, then a 4v4 scrimmage (all middies, no offsides, no goalies, no score kept)
• 10U Girls: 7v7 (1 G, 2 D, 2 M, 2 A)
• 12U Girls: 8v8 (1 G, 2 D, 3 M, 2 A)
• 10U Boys: 7v7 (1 G, 2 D, 2 M, 2 A)
• 12U Boys, 14U Boys, 14U Girls, High School: 10v10 (1 G, 3 D, 3 M, 3 A)
• Adult Men: 10v10 pickup style, sticks-in by position

Game Length

• 8U: 30-40 min skills and drills, then a 15-30 min scrimmage
• 10U Girls: 30-min practice + one 24-min running clock game
• 12U Girls, 10U Boys, 12U Boys, 14U Boys, 14U Girls, High School: 15-min coach-led warm-up, then two 20-min running clock halves + 4-min halftime
• Adult Men: Two 25-min running clock halves + 5-min halftime

Pass Requirements

• 10U Girls: One pass attempt is required before shooting on goal.
• 12U Girls: No pass required unless a foul is called after a scored goal. Optional three-pass rule: if coaches agree before the game, a goal scored after three consecutive passes in the offensive half (no drops or lost possession) counts as 3 points.
  • Draws & restarts: No pass required after a regular draw. The free position at center (mercy rule) is DIRECT with no pass required. Out-of-bounds restarts are DIRECT.
• 10U Boys: A pass is required only after faceoff possession is awarded (including when possession is awarded for leaving early from behind GLE). A free clear at midfield (mercy rule) does not require a pass attempt.
• 12U Boys, 14U Boys, 14U Girls, High School, Adult Men: No Max Lax pass requirement. USA Lacrosse / NFHS rules apply.

Overtime

• All ages with games (10U and up, Adult Men): Sudden death in a modified 4v4 format (1 G, 1 D, 1 M, 1 A) with offsides (max 2 on offense, max 3 on defense; one player must stay back or up). No substitutions except for injury. Penalties during overtime will be enforced.
• 8U: No overtime (no score kept).

Mercy Rule

• Girls (10U, 12U, 14U, High School): At a goal differential of 5 or more, the trailing team gets a direct free position at the center line instead of a draw. Draws resume at 4 or fewer.
• Boys (10U – High School) & Adult Men: At a goal differential of 5, the trailing team gets a free clear at midfield instead of a face-off. Face-offs resume at 4 or fewer.

Timeouts

• All ages with games: One 60-second timeout per team per game. Cannot be used in the final 5 minutes.

Goalies & the “Bezos” Goalie Blocker

Officials & Field Size

• 10U Girls, 12U Girls, 10U Boys: 1 official, short-sided field (~60 x 30 yds)
• 12U Boys, 14U Boys, 14U Girls, High School: 2 officials, Max Lax field (~75 x 50 yds)
• Adult Men: 1 official, Max Lax field (~75 x 50 yds)

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Full Rules: All Ages

(1) No Jewelry While Playing: No jewelry is allowed while playing in Max Lax. Anyone in violation will be penalized by officials. Taping over jewelry is not permitted. This is a USA Lacrosse ruling. Ear piercings are unlikely to close in one game, so they need to be removed for the game. All participants agreed to the following as part of the participation waiver:

“6.a. I am not permitted to wear jewelry of any kind while participating in the Activity, and Max Lax may suspend or terminate my participation in the Activity if I wear any jewelry while participating in the Activity.”

(3) Clock Management: Game clocks will be set to a total of 44:00 minutes. The first half concludes when the clock hits 24:00 minutes. The second half will commence when the clock reaches 20:00 minutes, and the game ends when the clock shows 00:00. If one team is ready to play at the start of the game (or at half-time) and must wait over 20 seconds for the opposing team to line up, the official can skip the face-off/draw and award possession to the waiting team.

Each age group will have slightly different game procedures and Max Lax deviations of USA Lacrosse rules as noted below. Otherwise, current (2026) USA Lacrosse and NFHS rules will be used in all games.

8U Boys & Girls

• Teams: All players are assigned to a team with a designated group color and the side of the pinnie they should wear each week (navy or white side).
• Session: 30-40 minute coach-led skills and drills work followed by a 15-30 minute scrimmage.
  • No score will be kept
  • Game Format: 4v4 (All Middies with No Offsides and No Goalies)
  • Fast Restarts After Goals (No Faceoffs)
• Otherwise, USA Lacrosse 2026 rules will be used: Boys Rules · Girls Rules

10U Girls & 12U Girls

• Weekly Session:
  • 10U: (1) 30-minute practice & (1) 24-minute game each week with time kept by the official
  • 12U: 15-minute, coach-led skills and drills work (Balls & Cones Provided)
• Game Format:
  • 10U Girls: 7v7 (1 Goalie, 2 Defense, 2 Middie, 2 Attack)
  • 12U Girls: 8v8 (1 Goalie, 2 Defense, 3 Middie, 2 Attack)
• Officials: (1) Licensed Official Will Be Provided
• Field Size: ~60 yds x ~30 yds
• Jerseys: The Home Team (as indicated in LeagueApps) wears the navy side. The Away Team wears the white side.
• Game Duration:
  • 10U Girls: One 24-minute running clock game
  • 12U Girls: Two 20-minute running clock halves + 4-minute halftime
• Draws: After a goal is scored, officials will keep a 20-second count in their heads, and if one team is lined up to draw and the other is not, they will award possession to the team lined up as if it were a free position at the center. No pass is required after a regular draw.
• Offsides (10U): The 7v7 Max Lax format for 10U girls requires that 3 players (typically two field players and 1 goalie) remain on the defensive half of the field and 2 players remain on the offensive half of the field; otherwise, the offending team will be offside. This rule will be monitored, but not whistled and enforced by the official unless considered egregious, as determined by the official. Alternatively, the official and/or coach may encouragingly remind players to stay onside.
• Offsides (12U): A team is offside if it has more than 5 players on the offensive half of the field or more than 6 players on the defensive half of the field.
• Mercy Rule: Awarded once the goal differential reaches 5 or more. At four or fewer goals, draws will occur after goals. The girls’ free position at the center line is DIRECT, and a pass attempt is NOT required.
• Overtime: All overtimes will be sudden death in a modified 4v4 format (1G, 1D, 1M, 1A) with offsides (max 2 on offense and max 3 on defense; one player must stay back or up) and no substitutions except for injury. Penalties during overtime will be enforced.
• Timeouts: Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game, which cannot be used in the final 5 minutes of the game.
• Out of Bounds: Bringing the ball in from out-of-bounds is a DIRECT position.
• Max Lax Pass Requirements:
  • 10U Girls: One pass attempt is required before being able to shoot on goal.
  • 12U Girls: No pass is required unless a foul is called after a scored goal.
  • 12U Girls Optional Three-Pass Rule (coaches decide together before the game): If a team completes three consecutive passes in the offensive half of the field and then scores a goal without dropping the ball or losing possession, the scored goal is worth 3 points on the scoreboard (instead of 1).
• Otherwise, USA Lacrosse 2026 rules will be used: Girls Rules

10U Boys

• Warm-up: 15-minute, coach-led skills and drills work (Balls & Cones Provided)
• Game Format: 7v7 (1 Goalie, 2 Defense, 2 Middie, 2 Attack)
• Officials: (1) Licensed Official Will Be Provided
• Field Size: ~60 yds x ~30 yds
• Jerseys: The Home Team (as indicated in LeagueApps) wears the navy side. The Away Team wears the white side.
• Game Duration: Two 20-minute running clock halves + 4-minute halftime
• Substitutions: No “on the fly” substitutions unless agreed to by BOTH coaches. Otherwise, substitutions can happen during any dead-ball whistle.
• Untimed Possession: If a flag is down as time expires in the second half of the game, and the offended team is losing by one goal (or is tied), the offended team will be awarded one untimed, man-up possession. This untimed possession continues until the offended team scores, loses possession to the offending team, or the ball goes out of bounds (no matter the reason). At that time, the game is over.
• Face-Offs: After a goal is scored, officials will keep a 20-second count in their heads, and if one team is lined up to face-off and the other is not, they will award possession to the team lined up as if it were a free clear.
  • In 10U Boys, it’s required to wait behind GLE until the official calls possession. A warning will likely be issued on the first offense. If it happens again, the ball will be awarded to the other team at midfield as if they just won the faceoff, and therefore, a pass is required.
• Mercy Rule Free Clears: Awarded once the goal differential reaches 5. At four or fewer, face-offs will occur after goals. The boys’ free clear starting at midfield does not require a pass attempt.
• Overtime: All overtimes will be sudden death in a modified 4v4 format (1G, 1D, 1M, 1A) with offsides (max 2 on offense and max 3 on defense; one player must stay back or up) and no substitutions except for injury. Penalties during overtime will be enforced.
• Timeouts: Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game, which cannot be used in the final 5 minutes of the game.
• Alternating Possession: Awarded to the losing team, or at the official’s discretion if tied.
• Max Lax Pass Requirement: Pass required only after faceoff possession is awarded.
• Fouling Out: Any player with 3 personal fouls (or 5 minutes of penalty time) has fouled out and is ineligible to play the remainder of the game.
• Otherwise, USA Lacrosse 2026 rules will be used: Boys Rules

12U Boys, 14U Boys, High School Boys, 14U Girls, High School Girls

• Warm-up: 15-minute, coach-led skills and drills work (Balls & Cones Provided)
• Game Format: 10v10 (1 Goalie, 3 Defense, 3 Middie, 3 Attack)
• Officials: Two (2) Licensed Officials Will Be Provided
• Field Size: Max Lax-Sized Field ~75 yds x 50 yds
• Jerseys: The Home Team (as indicated in LeagueApps) wears the navy side. The Away Team wears the white side.
• Game Duration: Two 20-minute running clock halves + 4-minute halftime
• Counts (Boys): GK 4 + 20s Defensive zone + 10s Offensive zone. There is a proportionally-sized restraining box painted in red near the girls’ 12m shooting arc.
• Over & Back (Boys): Over and back will now be in effect once the box is touched.
• Untimed Possession (Boys): If a flag is down as time expires in the second half of the game, and the offended team is losing by one goal (or is tied), the offended team will be awarded one untimed, man-up possession. This untimed possession continues until the offended team scores, loses possession to the offending team, or the ball goes out of bounds (no matter the reason). At that time, the game is over.
• Face-offs/Draws: After a goal is scored, officials will keep a 20-second count in their heads. If one team is lined up to face off and the other is not, they will award possession to the team lined up, as if it were a free clear.
• Mercy Rule: Awarded once the goal differential reaches 5. At four or fewer, face-offs/draws will occur after goals.
  • Boys: Free clear at midfield.
  • Girls: Free position at the center line is DIRECT, and a pass attempt is NOT required.
• Overtime: All overtimes will be sudden death in a modified 4v4 format (1G, 1D, 1M, 1A) with offsides (max 2 on offense and max 3 on defense; one player must stay back or up) and no substitutions except for injury. Penalties during overtime will be enforced.
• Timeouts: Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game, which cannot be used in the final 5 minutes of the game.
• Alternating Possession: Awarded to the losing team, or at the official’s discretion if tied.
• Fouling Out (Boys): Any player with 3 personal fouls (or 5 minutes of penalty time) has fouled out and is ineligible to play the remainder of the game.
• Otherwise, USA Lacrosse 2026 and NFHS 2026 (for High School) rules will be used: Boys Rules · Girls Rules

Adult Men

• Style: Pickup-Game Style with sticks-in based on the desired position
• Game Format: 10v10 (1 Goalie, 3 Defense, 3 Middie, 3 Attack)
• Officials: One Licensed Official Will Be Provided
• Field Size: Max Lax-Sized Field ~75 yds x 50 yds
• Jerseys: One team wears the navy side. The other team wears the white side.
• Game Duration: Two 25-minute running clock halves + 5-minute halftime
• Counts: GK 4 + 20s Defensive zone + 10s Offensive zone. There is a proportionally-sized restraining box painted in red near the girls’ 12m shooting arc.
• Over & Back: Over and back will now be in effect once the box is touched.
• Untimed Possession: If a flag is down as time expires in the second half of the game, and the offended team is losing by one goal (or is tied), the offended team will be awarded one untimed, man-up possession. This untimed possession continues until the offended team scores, loses possession to the offending team, or the ball goes out of bounds (no matter the reason). At that time, the game is over.
• Face-offs: After a goal is scored, officials will keep a 20-second count in their heads. If one team is lined up to face off and the other is not, they will award possession to the team lined up, as if it were a free clear.
• Mercy Rule Free Clears: Awarded once the goal differential reaches 5. At four or fewer, face-offs will occur after goals.
• Overtime: All overtimes will be sudden death in a modified 4v4 format (1G, 1D, 1M, 1A) with offsides (max 2 on offense and max 3 on defense; one player must stay back or up) and no substitutions except for injury. Penalties during overtime will be enforced.
• Timeouts: Each team gets one 60-second timeout per game, which cannot be used in the final 5 minutes of the game.
• Alternating Possession: Awarded to the losing team, or at the official’s discretion if tied.
• Fouling Out: Any player with 3 personal fouls (or 5 minutes of penalty time) has fouled out and is ineligible to play the remainder of the game.
• Otherwise, USA Lacrosse 2026, 12U (No Body Checking) rules will be used: Boys Rules

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Athletic Trainer On-Site

Lacrosse, like most contact sports, is not without injuries. We have hired a licensed athletic trainer to be at all games to act as a first responder to injuries.

Equipment Requirements

All players must have the full list of required equipment to play in Max Lax this season.

Boys Equipment Girls Equipment

Practice & Drill Suggestions

Youth coaches, you can find practice plans and drill suggestions provided by USA Lacrosse here.

Feedback

We welcome any comments and great ideas you have throughout the season. Please don’t hesitate to leave your feedback for us here.

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Max Lax League Guidebook · Fall 2026 v 3.5 · Updated October 2026