GAME OVERVIEW
Two teams of three players each play the game. Each team may have up to 2 additional players 
(5 total) as substitutes - you will want substitutes. Players are not allowed to use long or goalie 
sticks.

Short sticks must be legal length for division (40-42”, 38” minimum for Juniors).

A single goal will be set up in the middle of the field. The objective is for each team to score on 
its respective side of the goal. Goals are unprotected, with no goalie, keeping the speed and 
intensity of the game very high.

THE GOAL
The single, two-sided goal in the middle of the field is 6 feet high by 1 foot wide. A goal is 
scored when the ball hits the net or when the ball hits two posts before bouncing away from the 
goal.

TIME (Samammish shootout 10 minute halves, 30 second TOs)
A 3v3 LAX game consists of two 10-minute running time halves. After a 3 minute halftime 
break, the two teams change sides for the 2nd half. Each team is allowed one 30 second time-out 
per game (the game clock will remain running during the timeout). Timeouts are not permitted 
with 3 minutes or less remaining in each half.

SUBSTITUTIONS
Substitutions can be made during the course of the game. The outgoing and incoming players 
must touch sticks while at least one of the two players is off the field; outgoing player must 
immediately exit playing area. Substitutions can happen anywhere around the perimeter of the 
field, provided it is not interfering with games at adjacent fields. Substitution violations will 
result in a Technical foul.

REQUIRED EQUIPMENT
Boys: Stick, Mouthguard, Helmet, and Pads (shoulder, rib, and forearm as desired)
Girls: Same as boys for the Lightning Lax Chumash Tournament

THE FIELD
The 3v3 LAX field is 50 yards long by 30 yards wide, with the single goal anchored in the 
middle of the field. There are TAKE BACK lines that are 20 yards from the goal line in each 
direction and extend the width of the field.

There is an elliptical RESTRICTED AREA that extends 10 yards in both directions from the 
goal line.

At the goal line, the RESTRICTED AREA is 10 feet wide. The RESTRICTED AREA reduces
gradually in width as it moves further from the goal.

GETTING STARTED
A coin toss will determine which team gets possession of the ball to start the game. The team 
that wins possession will put the ball in play from behind their TAKE BACK line. The other 
team gets first alternate possession, normally possession after half.

PLAYING THE GAME
Each team can use the entire field and there are no offsides. However, a goal can only be scored 
from a team’s designated side of the field. A shot that is made into the goal by a team from the 
opponent’s side of the field is not a score and will result in a change of possession.

When there is a clear change of possession, the team with the ball must pass or carry the ball 
behind the TAKE BACK line on their side of the field before they can begin attacking the goal. 
If a team fails to pass or carry the ball beyond the TAKE BACK before they begin attacking the 
goal, the ball will be awarded to the other team. The TAKE BACK line does not establish a 
“safe” zone.

After a goal, the ball is put in play from beyond the TAKE BACK line.

If the ball goes out of bounds, either from a shot or pass, the ball is awarded to the opposite team 
of who last touched the ball.

Chumash is designed to be as self-regulating as possible to enhance the joy of playing, and to 
make it easy to play a real game of lacrosse anytime, anywhere. You don't have to have a referee, 
but you do need to exhibit sportsmanship and fair play. If a call is in question, use a system of 
alternating possessions. The game was created to be fun and to teach skills and sportsmanship. It 
is the kind of game we can use to invite the world to play lacrosse with us. Anybody can play.

THE SMALLER CREASE
There are two creases, the first is a regular lacrosse goal crease with a nine-foot radius. The goal 
is centered inside this circle. There is no goalie and it is illegal to "guard" the goal in Chumash. 

No one can go in the smaller crease unless the ball is down in there. Then, the player may only 
pick up the ball, must not attack the goal, and must leave the crease by the most direct route. 
Failure to do so will result in a technical foul and loss of possession.

THE LARGER CREASE
The second crease uses the same arc. The top of the arc is 10-12 yards from the goal line. Players 
may move through this larger crease with or without the ball. They may not stop nor may they 
shoot from inside the larger or smaller crease. Players can "dive", but they may not land in the 
smaller crease ever.

If they do it is no goal and possession is awarded to the other team.

A player may catch a pass inside the larger crease, then step out of it, turn and shoot. Crease lines 
are a part of the crease.

CREASE AREAS PRIVILEGES
When the ball is on the ground in the CREASE AREAS, players from both teams are allowed to 
be in this area to gain possession of the ball. When there is a clear change of possession the team 
with the ball must pass or carry it back to the TAKE BACK line in front of their goal, much like 
3 on 3 basketball. If a team fails to do this the ball is awarded to the other team (see below).

Players from the team that does not have possession of the ball (“defensive players”) are allowed 
to be in the CREASE AREAS but only if they are continually moving through it. A defensive 
player cannot take a position to defend the goal while in the CREASE AREAS. A CREASE 
AREAS violation by a defensive player will result in a technical foul (see below).

Players from the team in possession of the ball (“offensive players”) may not stop in or shoot 
from inside the CREASE AREAS Per the above, any player may enter either crease area when 
the ball is on the ground and the players are attempting to gain control. A CREASE AREAS 
violation by an offensive player (e.g., stopping in or shooting from outer crease, stepping in inner 
crease) will result in a change of possession.

OTHER GAME PROCEDURES
There are no rules governing time for ball advancement, etc.

5 yard rule strictly enforced on inbounds play, interference, etc.

The integrity with which you play brings honor to the game.

LOSS-OF-POSSESSION FOULS
A change of possession will occur on illegal screens, warding off, withholding the ball, and 
offensive CREASE AREA violations.

TECHNICAL FOULS
Technical fouls are interference, holding, pushing, and defensive CREASE AREA violations.. A
technical foul will result in a “man down” situation and the offending player will go to the 
sidelines and remain there until one of the following events have occurred:
a) The opposing team has taken one shot.
b) The offending player’s team gains possession of the ball.
c) The opposing team scores a goal.

PERSONAL FOULS
Personal fouls are illegal body checking, slashing, tripping, and cross-checking, based on age-
division appropriate interpretations. Any touch or “Brush” of an opponent’s head or face with a 
stick or arm is also an automatic Personal foul. A personal foul will result in a “man down” 
situation and the offending player will go to the sidelines and remain there until one of the 
following events have occurred:
d) The opposing team has taken two shots.
e) The offending player’s team gains possession of the ball.
f) The opposing team scores a goal.

SAMMAMISH SHOOT-OUT TOURNAMENT RULES
• Lightning, junior & senior: One-handed checks are slashes by definition, and a personal foul
will be called.
• All pool games on all fields will start and end at the same time.
• Tie games are allowed in pool play
• Playoff games must have a winner

 

• Successive 3 minute sudden-death periods until there is a winner
• 30 second break between OT periods. No TOs
• Alternating possession; first OT possession determined by coin flip.