Draw Meeting (November)

🎯 Top 10 Things You Need to Know Right Now

1. New Elite Region Launches

Want top-tier competition? We've created an Elite Region for teams willing to travel anywhere in NOLL territory. Not geography-based. Opt in or out year-to-year. You can be Elite for some age groups and geographic for others.

Old regions: Northeast, Central, Northwest, South
New regions: Elite, East, South, West

2. Video Your 7/8 Games

Strongly recommended. High contestation rate at this age means video evidence is critical for resolving disputes and appeals. Protect your players and coaches.

3. Ejections = Serious Consequences

We're adopting OHSAA rules:

• Any ejection = 2-game suspension
• Fighting = 4-game suspension
• Applies to players AND coaches
• Appeals rarely succeed

4. New All-Star Requirements

Mandatory Zoom meeting for all Program Directors before nomination forms are released. Miss this and you may not be able to nominate. Date TBA (approximately two weeks before All-Star weekend).

5. Tournament Moved

NOLL Classic is now the last weekend in May (May 30-31) - NOT Memorial Day weekend anymore. Update your calendars now.

6. Score Reporting is Critical

Too many teams not reporting. This affects tournament seeding and standings fairness.

• Home team responsible
• Away team can submit if home doesn't within 7 days
• Report weekly, not end-of-season

7. Saturday Games After 5pm Only

Officials cannot work before 5:00 PM on Saturdays. If you're scheduling makeup games, they must be Saturday evening or Sunday.

8. Cooling-Off Period for Complaints

Wait 24-48 hours before filing officiating complaints. Emotions high = bad decisions. Use the official complaint form only.

9. B Games Now Optional

Not every A game has to have a corresponding (forced) B game if you do not actually have a B roster (though it's still preferred). But if you do have a proper A and B roster, they must be registered in the division (i.e., either both Elite or both geographic).

10. Background Checks Mandatory

All coaches must complete background checks before the season. No exceptions. Last year's incident proved why this matters.

🗓️ Critical Dates (Don't Miss These)

🆕 What's Actually New for 2025

Elite Region

The biggest change. Open to any team seeking higher competition. Not required. Completely optional. Can mix and match by age group.

Regional Restructure

Four regions condensed to three geographic regions (less travel for most) plus Elite.

All-Star Mandatory Meeting

New requirement to ensure clarity and reduce confusion. PDs must attend.

Tournament Weekend

Moved off Memorial Day to avoid graduation conflicts.

Ejection Policy Formalized

OHSAA rules now in bylaws. Clear consequences.

A/B Scheduling Flexibility

Back-to-back now preferred but not required. More flexibility for programs.

Officials Respect Initiative

24-48 hour cooling-off period. Video documentation. Mutual education video coming.

✅ What Stays the Same

The Basics

• 8 games per team regular season
• Weekly schedule: Youth (Mon), MS (Wed), Bantam (Fri), HS (Tue/Thu)
• Game rules: 3/4 use US Lacrosse, 5/6 and 7/8 use NFHS
• Tournament format: Single-elimination + festival play, 3 games guaranteed

Team Structure

• A and B teams must be in same region
• Programs should try to field A and B teams at each age level
• Single teams scheduled for round robins when possible

Program Director Role

• One designated contact per program
• Responsible for score reporting, communication, sportsmanship
• Accountable for coaches, parents, and players

🚨 Common Questions Answered

Q: Do we have to join Elite?
No. Completely optional. Most teams will stay in geographic regions.

Q: Can we be Elite for one age group and not others?
Yes. Pick and choose by age level.

Q: What if we were in the old Central Region?
Choose Elite, East, South, or West. We'll help you decide.

Q: Do we have to schedule A and B teams together?
Preferred but not required if you do not have an actual B squad.

Q: What if officials make bad calls?
Wait 24-48 hours, then file official complaint with video if possible. Respect the shortage - we need officials.

Q: Can a coach appeal an ejection?
Rarely successful. Only major discrepancies with video evidence will be reviewed.

Q: Who reports scores?
Home team. If they don't within 7 days, away team should submit.

Q: When does the season start?
Games begin in March. Exact schedule released Feb 18.

📥 What You Need to Do Now

By December 5

• Commit to NOLL 2026
• Declare your Program Director
• Update all contact information

By January 15

• Report team counts by age group
• Declare your region (Elite, East, South, or West)
• Begin player registration

Before Season Starts

• Complete background checks (all coaches)
• Review rules when distributed
• Educate parents on sportsmanship expectations
• Plan to video 7/8 games

Throughout Season

• Report scores weekly (home team)
• Maintain current contact info
• Follow schedule change procedures
• Respect officials

Game Lengths

• 3/4: Four 10-minute quarters
• 5/6: Four 12-minute quarters (running clock)
• 7/8: Four 12-minute quarters (running clock)

Rules by Age

• 3/4: US Lacrosse (no long-poles for boys)
• 5/6: NFHS
• 7/8: NFHS

All-Star Nominations

• Elite teams: 2 players (1 offense, 1 defense)
• Geographic teams: 1 player (any position)
• Goalies/FOGOs: Voted on by opposing coaches

🤝 Get Involved

We Need Volunteers!

• Girls Program Chair (Board position)
• Compliance Chair (Board position)
• Communications Chair (Eric Wahl retiring)
• Committee members for tournaments, All-Stars, scheduling, rules

Have time? Have skills? Want to grow the game?
Contact any board member. Your community needs you.

💬 Key Messages for Your Program

Share these talking points with your coaches and parents:

1. Respect officials - We have a shortage. Treat them well or lose them.


2. Video 7/8 games - Protects everyone when disputes arise.


3. Wait before complaining - 24-48 hour cooling-off period required.


4. Background checks required - No exceptions for coaches.


5. Report scores weekly - Don't wait until end of season.


6. Mark your calendar - May 30-31 for tournament/All-Stars.


7. Update contact info - Emergency communications depend on it.


8. Sportsmanship first - Program directors accountable for conduct.


9. Know the rules - Detailed rulebooks coming soon.


10. Ejections are serious - 2-game minimum suspension. Coaches too.

🎯 Bottom Line

NOLL is growing and improving. The Elite Region gives competitive teams what they want. The geographic restructure gives travel-conscious teams what they need. Stronger officiating policies protect the game. Clear processes reduce confusion.

Your job: Get registered, declare your region, educate your people, respect the officials, report your scores, and show up ready to play great lacrosse.

Our job: Provide the structure, support, and opportunities for Northern Ohio lacrosse to thrive.

Updated: December 14, 2025 | Questions? Contact the board via the website