2026 RULES OF PLAY – DMV INVITATIONAL

**All Players must complete the online player waiver prior to participation. Mouth guards (of any color/design) must be worn at all times along with appropriate equipment.

All Aloha Tournament events are smoke free, pet free and alcohol-free events. No grills, generators, noisemakers, or air horns are allowed. 

RULES: NFHS/USA Lacrosse/Modified NCAA rules with the following modifications and/or points of emphasis.

• All rules will be in accordance with Current NCAA standards unless otherwise noted. The tournament will consist of pool play games and playoffs.
• Over and Back rules in effect. After offensive team touches ball in offensive zone, ball cannot cross midline.

SHOT CLOCK:

• Shot clock length: The shot clock is set to 80 seconds on change of possession.
• Shot clock Resetting:
• The shot clock resets to 60 seconds when a team regains possession of the ball after a shot on goal is saved or hits the goal frame. It also resets after a foul by the defending team. The shot clock will include a 20-second clearing count, during which players must advance the ball across the midfield line with the over-and-back provision in effect. If the team in possession of the ball is not in its offensive half of the field when the visible shot clock reaches 60 seconds, it is a violation.

• Clearing Counts of 20 seconds to cross midline. After 20 seconds of possession, the ball cannot cross back into your defensive half.
• Penalties are stop-start starting on the whistle (30 or 60 Sec). Penalty time stops during injuries, time-outs, between quarters and halves, and while another penalty is being assessed. 
• No deputy goalie allowed – no unprotected player is allowed in the goal circle at any time.
• Substitutions will be on the fly only, except on a time serving penalty.  In that case the teams will have a quick substitution to get EMO or EMD on the field. The Substitution Box will be 10 yards in accordance with the 2026 NCAA rules.
• Quick Start: If an opposing player is within five yards of the player that has been awarded the ball, and the official blows the whistle to restart play, the opposing player is not allowed to defend the ball until he reaches a distance of five yards from the opponent. A violation will be a flag down (slow whistle) for delay of game.
• No Crease Dives
• There will be no stick checks or requests by the opposing coaches. Sticks must meet either NCAA or NFHS standards.

GAME TIME: Playing time will consist of 4 twenty-minute running time quarters with a 1-minute break between quarters.  Games will begin promptly. Games are running time, unless the Tournament Director communicates otherwise.

• One (1) 45 second timeout will be permitted in every game. The clock will stop for the timeout, and it may be called at any time during the game. Timeouts must be called on your offensive end in accordance with NCAA rules.
• Pool Play Overtime – There is no overtime in pool play. Each team will receive 1 point.
• Playoff & Championship Overtime – Playoff and Championship games will consist of unlimited 3-minute periods until a goal is scored. Each team will be awarded one time out and the clock will stop.

FACEOFF RULES: No Motogrip, no Knee Down. Faceoff sticks require tape of a different color than your shaft

EJECTIONS: Any player, fan or coach ejected from a game will be prohibited from competing in/coaching/watching his/her team’s next game. If a player/coach/fan is ejected for a second time he/she will be disqualified from the tournament. No noise makers will be allowed at any field (horns, whistles, sirens, cowbells, etc.) Offenders will be asked to leave the field.

• Any player, fan or coach ejected from a game will be prohibited from competing in/coaching/watching his/her team’s next game. If a player/coach/fan is ejected for a second time he/she will be disqualified from the tournament.
• Fighting is an automatic ejection from the game and will be determined by the officiating crew of that game.

OFFICIAL SCORES: Official Scores will be kept by the field coordinator. Post game the field coordinator will certify the official score with both coaches and officials. Once scores are certified and reported they may not be challenged. If a dispute arises, please call a tournament director to the field.  If a coach has concerns about the final score of a game, the coach should immediately bring the concern to the attention of the field coordinator and game referees prior to that score being reported to the tournament directors. Once reported, scores may not be challenged. Tournament Directors will only communicate with club directors and head coaches. 

In the event of a forfeit, the winning team will be awarded 7 goals in reference to the 7-goal max differential. If a team forfeits a game, they will be ineligible for championship bracket play.

MERCY RULE Teams down by (7) or more goals will get a free clear after each goal. Coaches can agree to waive this rule.

ROSTER RULES: No player may compete, or be rostered, on more than one team during the tournament.

• Placement on a grade-based team (2027, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2035, 2036) is dictated by the highest grade of any player on the team.
• Any violation of the tournament roster rules will result in forfeiture of any games in which the ineligible player participated and may result in disqualification from the tournament.

SCORING: Points will be awarded after each game in the following manner:

3 points for a win

1 point for a tie

0 points for a loss

PLAYOFF SEEDING

1) Head-to-Head

2) Goals Against

3) Goal Differential (max 7 per game +/-)

4) Coin Flip.

In the event of a 3+ team tie, the tiebreaker process starts at step 2. Once a team is selected as winning the 3+ team tiebreaker, the process starts at step 1 once 2 teams are remaining.

PLAYOFF SEEDING ODD DIVISIONS

In divisions with an odd number of teams, one team will compete in a fourth game to ensure that each team participates in three games. In these odd divisions, the fourth game does count, and seeding will be based on point average. For example: if you win 2 games and tie one, your total points will be 7 (3 + 3 + 1), and your point average is 2.33 (7/3). You will be seeded according to that percentage along with the other teams in your division.

*Seeding in an odd team pool in which the teams do not play everyone, pool seeding will be determined by:

1. Point Average
2. Goals Against Average
3. Goal Differential Average
4. Coin flip

SAFETY: In the event of any inclement weather, extreme temperature, visibility issue and/or dangerous field conditions our directors may recommend modifications to game time for safety reasons.

LIGHTNING SAFETY: Three (3) blasts of an air horn indicate LIGHTNING, and all fields must be cleared IMMEDIATELY. 

Players and fans must go to the tournament’s designated safe shelter. Safe shelter is considered any fully enclosed building that involves plumbing and/or electrical wires that act to electrically ground the structure-places that people live or work. If such a shelter cannot be found, take shelter in any vehicle with a hard metal roof and closed windows. 

• No outdoor activities are to be resumed until 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning/thunder or the all-clear email has been received. For every strike observed, the 30-minute timer is reset. Five (5) blasts means the field is now open and play can resume. 
• The tournament director will send schedule updates accordingly based off the amount of time delayed.
•  If a game is in the 1st half when the delay starts, those games will resume starting in the 2nd half. If games are in the 2nd half when the delay starts, those games are final, with the current score being the final score.

HOT WEATHER SAFETY: The Tournament Director with the assistance of the athletic trainers will monitor the weather. Adjustments may include adding water breaks or shortening game times.

ISSUES OR CONCERNS: Tournament Directors will only communicate with Club Directors and/or head coaches serving as deputy club directors on site.

Event Cancellation Insurance

Affordable Protection:

Adding Event Cancellation Team Coverage to your registration is a smart choice for safeguarding against the unexpected. Don’t let the possibility of weather-related cancellations disrupt your team’s plans or financial commitments.

Comprehensive Weather Protection:

This policy covers all unsafe weather-related conditions, ensuring teams are protected from the unexpected, including: Heat, rain, ice, snow, hail, smoke, hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, unplayable venues.

How Does It Work

When you register your team for a tournament you will see an option to add Team Coverage Insurance. This insurance protects your team’s registration fees based on games played versus games guaranteed. If the tournament is forced to fully or partially cancel and your team doesn’t play the number of games guaranteed, your team is reimbursed the unused portion of your registration fee.

Assured Refund Mechanism

Weather is unpredictable, but your team’s financial stability doesn’t have to be. With this insurance, you can rest easy knowing that your registration fees are covered if games are cancelled due to rain, snow, extreme heat or any unsafe playing conditions related to the weather!

Key Details

• Purchase Date
  • Policies must be purchased a minimum of 14 days before the event start date.
• 100% Coverage
  • The insurance covers the entire non-refundable entry fee.
• Policy Rate
  • The policy rate is 10% for outdoor events.
• Refunds
  • If your team is not accepted into the event the insurance can be refunded!

Add Insurance to a Previously Registered Program

If currently registered for a program and it offers insurance click the ADD INSURANCE button below.

• Login -> Click Details button on the line you want to purchase insurance for and follow steps to purchase.
• If a program doesn’t offer insurance, there will be no mention of insurance after you click Details.

Add Insurance 

3STEP REFUND & CREDIT POLICY

By registering for a 3STEP Program, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
1. No Refunds: All registration fees are non-refundable. Once payment is received, there will be no refunds issued
for any reason, including, but not limited to, Program cancellation, injury, absence, or non-participation.
2. Event Cancellation: If 3STEP cancels a Program due to unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, facility
closure, or other reasons outside our control, 3STEP will make every effort to reschedule. If rescheduling is not
possible, 3STEP may, in its sole discretion, offer full or partial credit which can be used toward participation in a
future 3STEP program.
3. Missed Games/Practices: If an athlete misses any game, practice, or event for any reason, including illness, injury,
or personal conflict, no refund will be issued. However, 3STEP may, in its sole discretion, offer partial credit which
can be used toward participation in a future 3STEP program.
4. Transfers: Registration fees are non-transferable. In other words, once an athlete is registered for a specific
Program, their registration cannot be transferred to another athlete.
5. Special Considerations: While we do not issue refunds, in exceptional cases, such as a serious medical condition
or family emergency, we may consider offering full or partial credit on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be
submitted in writing with appropriate documentation, and such requests are not guaranteed.
6. Program Insurance: We strongly encourage you to consider purchasing insurance for participation in any 3STEP
Program. Insurance can provide protection if an athlete or team is unable to attend a Program due to unforeseen
circumstances such as illness, injury, or emergencies, and may help recoup registration costs. While 3STEP does
not provide cancellation insurance, we have facilitated an opportunity for you to do so through US Sports Club
Insurance (“USSCI”). You can purchase insurance coverage through USSCI during Program registration or by
visiting https://threestep.com/sportsinsurance/.
7. Acknowledgment: By completing the Program registration process, you confirm you have read, understood, and
agreed to the terms of this Policy.

We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing an enjoyable and rewarding experience for each and every
athlete.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please visit this link.

WEATHER POLICY

In the event of adverse weather conditions, the tournament director reserves the right to:

• Reduce the game times in order to catch up with the schedule or cancel games as needed
• Finish games before inclement weather arrives or to preserve field conditions.
• Reschedule games, if possible.
• Convert tournament to a “Festival” format without playoffs or championships to provide the majority of the teams the opportunity to play as many games as possible.
• Every attempt will be made to update cancellations on the Aloha Tournaments website. However, weather conditions can change rapidly, and all teams should be prepared to play as soon as weather clears and fields are playable.

If thunder or lightning is observed at any location, play will be suspended immediately, and players and fans will be required to leave the field. Play will be allowed to resume 30 minutes after the last sound of thunder or sight of lightning is observed.  If a game is in progress:

• The period will end immediately.
• If a game is in the second half of running time period the game will be considered final and the score at that point will be recorded.
• If a game is in the first half of running time when play resumes it will be the start of the second half of the running time period.
• Every attempt will be made to begin subsequent games on time. If the start of the second half of the suspended game delays the onset of the subsequent game the following actions will occur:
• The suspended game will play a 20 minute running time second half.

Subsequent games will begin immediately after the preceding games (teams will warm up on the sideline prior to the game). These games will consist of one 25 minute running time period until games are back on schedule.  Teams will have one 30 second timeout per game not to be used in the last two minutes of the  game (the clock will not stop during these timeouts).

• Once games are back on schedule, they will revert back to 25 minute running time periods.
• We will make every attempt to play every minute of every game, but we will not jeopardize the safety of any player.
• All games canceled due to weather will be considered a 4 – 2 win for both teams.