What is the NILL?
Is this box lacrosse?
As mentioned above, the NILL is not box lacrosse. The NILL does not use box lacrosse rules and does not use boards as the field boundary. Rules are modified from field lacrosse to account for the smaller field dimensions. The league will use 6' x 6' field lacrosse goals. Since most of the players participating in the NILL will be getting ready for the Spring field lacrosse season, the NILL strives to keep the game as similar as possible to what most of the players will be preparing for. With a smaller turf field, full size goals and a fast pace, lots of goals will be scored and the game will be a blast to play!
O.K., that sounds great, when does the season start?
The NILL will begin play on Sunday December 9, 2012. Games will be played on Sunday afternoon and evening with 3 game dates on Friday night. Game times will be announced when the full schedule is released. The season will be 12 games long with an additional day scheduled for playoffs. Playoffs are scheduled for March 17, 2012. Due to conflicts at Pioneer Park in the DECC, there will be breaks in the schedule when the park is not available for any other activities. Games will not be played every weekend during the season due to these breaks.
Where will the games be played?
Who can play?
The NILL is designed primarily for local high school players. The league is open to player in 9th grade and up. High school graduates who are not presently playing on a collegiate lacrosse team may also participate in the league. There will also be a 5th through 8th grade division.
Why does the NILL allow high school graduates play?
That's a good question. Realistically, allowing a few high school graduates to play increases participation and helps to fill out the rosters so more teams can compete in the first season of the league. The more teams in the league, the more fun it will be. The NILL also believes the experienced adults playing in the league can be mentors and teach the younger players valuable skills while providing an example. With rules to limit checking, size won't be as much of a factor, and players of different sizes can safely play on the same field together. Lacrosse skills will be emphasized. And finally, the NILL provides an opportunity for a few former lacrosse players to pick up a stick again and have some fun playing one of the best sports ever created.
Do I have to be experienced?
Yes, the NILL is not designed to be an instructional league. There are no practices scheduled (teams may practice if they wish, but practices can't be mandatory and they must schedule their own practice times) so inexperienced players wouldn't have much of an opportunity to improve. Very inexperienced players wouldn't have as much fun in a league like this either. Once the Spring lacrosse season starts, new players will have the opportunity to learn the game and practice their skills on a nearly daily basis in scheduled team practices with their respective school teams.
What equipment to I need to participate?
All players must be fully equipped with helmet, shoulder pads, arm/elbow pads, gloves, protective cup and mouth guard at the minimum. Goalies must have helmet, throat guard, chest protector, gloves, protective cup and mouth guard. Players that show up for games without all of the required equipment will not be allowed to participate.
What does my registration fee cover?
By far the most costly league expenditure is turf time. Your registration fee covers turf time, your league jersey/pinnie, game balls, and goalie equipment that can be lent out to teams. The NILL strived to keep league costs low. Our registration fee is only enough to cover our expenses. If you look at other indoor league fees across the country, our fee is significantly lower, and in many cases less than half of what most indoor leagues charge.
Do I have to live in Duluth to participate?
Absolutely not! The NILL encourages all experienced Northern Minnesota lacrosse players to participate. The NILL is all about fostering the development and improvement of lacrosse throughout Northern Minnesota.
What are the rules like?
The rules for NILL play are very similar to field lacrosse rules. There are modifications to account for the smaller turf field and also to encourage the safest play possible so all of our Northern Minnesota players can transition into their Spring seasons healthy and ready to go. To see all of the rules please visit our Rules page. It's very important that all players carefully read the NILL rules of play.
Some of the key differences in the Rules are:
- 7 players are allowed on the playing surface including 2 attack, 2 midfielders, 2 defense and 1 goalie for each team.
- There are no faceoffs after a goal is scored. This will encourage a very fast paced game, lots of scoring and maximum time played during a running time game.
- A modified offside rule will be used in the NILL. Two attack, two defenders and the defending goalie must stay behind the midline at all times during gameplay.
- There will be NO BODY CHECKING with the intent to put another player on the ground. There will be no “take out checks” period. “Take out checks” as described in this paragraph will result in a Major Penalty. Be sure you read this rule carefully and completely understand it. Ensuring player safety in the NILL is paramount.
- All one-handed slashes will be considered slashing and a personal foul, whether contact is made or not.
No. Teams may be self-coached by the players. Each team will need a designated Team Manager that will be responsible for all league correspondence. Each team will also be required to have one adult bench manager for every game.
What if I get into a fight?
As stated clearly in the rules, FIGHTING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT ANY POINT. ANY PLAYER WHO FIGHTS WILL BE EXPELLED FROM THE LEAGUE. Fighting is a Major Penalty.
How many games are there in a season?
How long are the games?
Again, from the rules, the duration of each game will be 48 minutes, running time. Two 24 minute halves with a 3 minute halftime. Teams will switch ends at the end of the half. Foregoing faceoffs after every score will speed the game up significantly and allow for more gametime to offset the running time for each game.
What if I don't have a team to play on?
No problem, you then become a Free Agent. Free Agents are registered players that are not on a current teams roster. Free Agents will be placed on existing teams as space permits. If we have enough Free Agents, a team or teams will be formed with the Free Agents available.
Do I have to register to play?
Yes, you have to fill out a registration form to play. Every player must also have submitted a signed Player Waiver and Liability Release before participating. Payment of the league fee is also required prior to participating. You can go to our Registration page to complete an online registration and make a secure online payment as well. Forms can also be printed off and mailed in along with a check.
What if we're short a player or two one week, can we pick up a player for a game or two?
Yes, league rules allow for that. However, teams may only be allowed to use fill-in players periodically. These players must register with the league, sign a league waiver and pay a per game fee. They also cannot participate regularly. If these players begin participating on a regular basis, they must then pay the full league fee and be added to a regular team roster as a permanent player. Team Managers must notify the NILL Commissioner if they plan on using a fill-in player prior to gameplay each week and provide the players name and basic information like age, grade, etc. Fill-in players must be prepared to register, sign the league waiver and pay the per game fee. Fill-in players may not play during the league playoffs.
Fill-in players can be added to a team roster, how does that work?
If a team would like to add fill-in players or additional players to their roster permanently, this must be done by the 4th game of the season. Up to three (3) additional players may be added by this time. Players added to the roster must complete a registration form, player waiver and pay the league fee. Players added to a roster by the 4th game of the season may participate in league playoffs. Fill-in players may continue to be used periodically after the 4th game of the season, but these players cannot be added to a team roster and cannot play in the playoffs. These fill-in players will continue to be subject to the fill-in rule described above.
Will there be referees?
Yes, there will be at least one referee on the field at all times. Referees may or may not be fully sanctioned lacrosse referees but will have training on NILL rule modifications and otherwise adhere to all NFHS rules regarding play on the field. All calls by the referee are final. There is no arguing calls.
Do we get game pinnies/jerseys?
Yes, each registered NILL player will receive a pinnie/jersey that must be worn during all NILL games. The pinnie/jersey will be yours to keep and will have a number on it that will be assigned to you for the season. You must bring your pinnie each week and wear it. Pinnies/jerseys will be handed out to players before the first game of the season. Home team will be dark, visiting team will be light.
What if I have more questions not covered here?
Contact the league commissioner, and he'll be happy to help you. Go to our Contacts page for contact information.
