Coach's Guide to Ontario Lacrosse Association Minor Box U9-U22 2026

The OLA lists six steps:

1. Get your NCCP number. If you coach another sport or another discipline of lacrosse you can use your existing NCCP number.
2. Register for a coaching clinic. New coaches create a new login (this portal is separate from your club portal). Coaches must be 16 years of age at the time of the clinic.
3. Complete concussion training. Completing the Making Head Way module is mandatory for all bench personnel.
4. Register with your club each playing season. The deadline is June 1 for Minor Box and Women's Field, April 15 for Men's Field and October 1 for Sixes.
5. Complete a Criminal Record Check. Bench personnel over 18 must complete their screening requirements under the OLA Screening Policy.
6. Maintain your certification. Coaches must earn professional development points to keep their NCCP certification active and in good standing.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/become-coach

Under OLA Regulation 7.2 (2026):

• Every team needs one properly certified head coach and one properly certified trainer, both registered.
• Minor Box: not more than three assistant coaches (five total bench personnel).
• A team may not begin a game without one head coach and one trainer. If one team's trainer is unavailable, the opposing trainer may agree to serve both teams on an emergency basis. Where an event has a professionally designated first aid service for all teams, the team trainer requirement is waived.
• Equipment managers, floor assistants and similar staff may not occupy the bench area but may be positioned nearby, no closer than 4 metres to the bench.
• All bench personnel must be listed on the official game record.
• Penalty for ineligible bench personnel (OR 7.1): a team fine of up to $2,000.00 and a head coach suspension of up to four games.
• Only one certified trainer is allowed on the bench at a time.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/OLA-Regulations-2026.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Regulations and Screening Policy:

• Deadline: Minor Box bench personnel and box players must be registered and OLA approved by June 1. No registrations are accepted after the final date. Clubs must allow 7 business days for approval of bench cards submitted with full documentation.
• Documents for all coaches, trainers, managers and any adult in direct contact with minors: verification of a valid Criminal Record Check.
• Coaches: an NCCP Locker transcript showing full name, NCCP number, courses taken including Making Headway, and the dates.
• Trainers: an NCCP Locker transcript showing the OLA-approved trainer's course and any other trainer courses, including Making Headway.
• Screening: bench personnel aged 18 or older as of January 1 of the calendar year must complete a Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector). It must be dated within the previous six months of submission, in the current or previous calendar year, and be submitted before participating. After approval, screening status is maintained through annual Offence Declarations while continuously registered with the OLA each year.
• Participation: no one may take part in physical activity until online registration is complete and club and OLA approved.

Sources: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/OLA-Regulations-2026.pdf and https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/Screening-Policy.pdf

Under Rowan's Law (Ontario government guidance), when the sport organization advises that it applies, coaches, team trainers and officials (as well as athletes under 26 and parents of athletes under 18) must:

• review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources;
• review the sport organization's Concussion Code of Conduct; and
• confirm both reviews every year with the sport organization.

If you are involved in more than one sport you review a resource once a year, but must still confirm it, and review the code of conduct, with each sport organization.

When a concussion is suspected: recognize the signs and remove the athlete from the activity (even if they say they are fine), have them checked by a physician or nurse practitioner, and support a gradual return to school and sport.

OLA requirement on top of this: completing the Making Head Way module is mandatory for all bench personnel.

Sources: https://www.ontario.ca/page/rowans-law-concussion-awareness-resources and https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/become-coach

The OLA documents reviewed do not set a minimum number of minutes per player. They say:

• Fair Play Policy: coaches must provide all athletes with fair opportunities for participation, learning and growth, and ensure equal and fair treatment of all athletes regardless of ability level.
• Offense/Defense (O/D) is not permitted at U9, U11 or U13 (permitted from U15). The OLA Offense Defense Policy (last amended December 6, 2025) applies to U13 and below and requires athletes to take part in both offensive and defensive situations during regular shifts.
• What counts as O/D: while teams are at even strength, a player or group leaves the bench and deliberately returns without participating in both the offensive and defensive zones during the same shift. Officials may look at indicators such as substituting in direct response to changes of possession, using separate "Out/Front" and "In/Back" bench gates, or players staying at one end of the floor at full strength.
• Penalty, with no warning: first offence in a game, a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct to the Head Coach. Second offence in the same game, a gross misconduct for making a travesty of the game to the Head Coach.

Sources: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/Minor-Box-Offense-Defense-Policy.pdf , https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/Fair-Play-Policy-adg7.pdf and https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Modified Rules: Minor Box Lacrosse:

• Shot clock: 30 seconds from U11 to U22 (not applicable at U9).
• 10-second rule: each team has 10 seconds to advance the ball over the centre line during any possession (not applicable at U9).
• Back-over: once in the offensive half, the team cannot carry, direct or cause the ball back into its defensive half during any possession (not applicable at U9).

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Modified Rules: Minor Box Lacrosse (all divisions U9 to U22):

• Defensive off-ball contact: "equal pressure" placement is enforced. Once equal pressure is met, a defender can push to direct an opponent and re-establish defensive positioning. Defenders are not permitted to crosscheck an attacker off ball once defensive positioning is established. Off-ball pushing must be directed at the elbow.
• Loose ball play: players pursuing a loose ball may apply equal pressure against an opponent. Any unequal pressure applied during a loose ball that provides an advantage over the opponent may be considered a loose ball push to award possession, or be penalized under the appropriate infraction.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Modified Rules: Minor Box Lacrosse (U9 to U22):

• Periods: 3 x 15 minutes with a 2 minute break.
• Stop time: the last 2 minutes of the 3rd period at U9 and U11; the last 5 minutes of the 3rd period at U13, U15, U17 and U22.
• Timeouts: 1 per team per game, 45 seconds long, may be called from the floor or the bench.
• Overtime: 2 minute break, then a 5-on-5 sudden victory 15 minute period. Teams do not change ends. The game continues until the first goal is scored.
• Expulsions: assessed for any five penalties incurred by a player.
• Coincidental penalties: no modification to the length of major penalties when assessed coincidentally with a minor penalty under five minutes to play in the 3rd period.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Modified Rules: Minor Box Lacrosse:

• Goaltender penalties: served by any player at U9; at U11 and above, served by the team's designated "In-Home" player.
• Shot at goaltender's face-mask or throat-guard: an automatic whistle at U9. At U11 and above, play on with a reset at the official's discretion to ensure safety; possession is awarded inside the crease if the official stops play under this rule.
• Crease possession: a loose ball in the crease can be played by an attacking player outside the crease. A loose ball inside the crease may not be "batted" into the goal by an attacker. A loose ball outside the crease can be pulled back into the crease by a defender who is inside the crease.
• Crease diving: not permitted. An attacker who dives, jumps, launches or otherwise enters the crease and contacts the goalie may be assessed 5 + GM or MP. An attacker who does so and, after hitting the ground first, makes contact with the goalie may be assessed 5.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf

From the 2026 OLA Modified Rules: Minor Box Lacrosse:

• Team size: 5 to 18 runners, 1 to 2 goaltenders, 1 head coach, 1 certified trainer and up to 3 assistant coaches.
• Net: 4 ft x 4 ft for U9 to U15; 4 ft x 4 ft 6 in for U17 and U22.
• Player's stick: 34" to 42" for U9, U11 and U13; 40" to 42" for U15, U17 and U22. Wooden sticks are permitted for all players and goaltenders, with stick size aligned to World Lacrosse rules except where noted.
• Goaltender sticks: up to 15" wide, measured inside frame to inside frame at the widest point. In U13 and below the goaltender's stick can measure 34" to 72".
• Goaltender equipment: a team may request an equipment examination for conformity or "add-on" modifications. If illegal, a major penalty is assessed and the equipment must be fixed.
• Lost equipment: if a player in possession of the ball loses their helmet, chinstrap or glove, play is stopped immediately. If no penalty caused it, possession goes to the non-offending team. No player can play without the required equipment.

Source: https://www.ontariolacrosse.com/s/2026-Minor-Box-Rule-Modifications.pdf