Parent's Guide to Lacrosse Canada U11 Box Lacrosse 2026

U11 games have three 15-minute periods with running time and 2 minutes between periods. The last 2 minutes of the 3rd period are stopped time.

Source: Lacrosse Canada Age & Stage Appropriate Modifications 2.0 (2026): https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf

Contact is limited at U11:

• On the ball: checking is allowed.
• Off the ball: arms-extended shadowing only (pushing to direct and contain).
• No off-ball forceful cross checks.

The rules for U15 are different (they add an equal pressure concept), so these limits apply to U11 and U13.

Source: Lacrosse Canada Age & Stage Appropriate Modifications 2.0 (2026): https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf

• Shot clock and time to get over half: 30 seconds (Age & Stage Modifications 2.0).
• Penalties: as per the World Lacrosse Rule Book, including 10 seconds to get over half. Lacrosse Canada's 2026 modifications for U11 to U13 also list "10 seconds over half while shorthanded".
• Faceoffs: Lacrosse Canada's 2026 modifications say there are no faceoffs after goals; faceoffs occur only at the start of each period to maximize playing time. (The Age & Stage table lists faceoffs as "aligned with WL Rule Book".)
• Dotted line: a teaching tool, not a defensive boundary or restricted zone.

Sources: https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf and https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-LC-Modifications-2.0-2.pdf

• Goalie equipment: aligned with Lacrosse Canada guidelines based on height and CAT code. The goalie's stick may be any length but no more than 38.1 cm (15") wide, measured inside the frame, and nothing may be attached to the outside of it.
• Hitting the goalie: automatic whistle for hitting the goalie's mask or throat guard.
• Goalie penalties: a player from the floor serves the penalty.
• Crease: there is no crease cylinder. Crease dives are not permitted. A loose ball in the crease is live for both attackers and defenders, but attackers cannot direct a loose ball into the goal from inside the crease (the NLL batted rule). A defender can pull the ball back into the crease.

Sources: Age & Stage Appropriate Modifications 2.0 (https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf) and 2026 LC Modifications 2.0 (https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/2026-LC-Modifications-2.0-2.pdf)

• Scores: recorded and displayed.
• Timeouts: 1 per game, 45 seconds long. They do not carry over to overtime. The team calls it from the floor, or a coach calls it from the bench, when the team has possession of the ball.
• Overtime: sudden victory, in alignment with the period length.
• Jerseys: the home team chooses its jersey but has the home bench.

Source: Lacrosse Canada Age & Stage Appropriate Modifications 2.0 (2026): https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf

At U11 the bench staff is 4 coaches and 1 trainer. All coaches must have Community Development Trained status. Trainers must meet the requirements in the Lacrosse Canada Regulations document.

Source: Lacrosse Canada Age & Stage Appropriate Modifications 2.0 (2026): https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Age-Stage-Appropriate-Modifications.pdf

The Lacrosse Canada Concussion Policy covers coaches, athletes, volunteers, officials and other members.

• A concussion is a clinical diagnosis that can only be made by a physician.
• At all events, competitions and practices, participants must use their best efforts to stay aware of incidents that may cause a concussion and to recognize the symptoms. Symptoms may appear immediately or within hours or days, and may be different for everyone.
• Coaches, trainers, officials and even parents should be familiar with the Concussion Management Guidelines, which explain how to recognize signs of a concussion, the initial actions, return to play and reporting.
• Every possible concussion incident must be reported to Lacrosse Canada.

Policy: https://lacrosse.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/LC_Concussion_Policy.pdf

Under the Lacrosse Canada Concussion Policy:

• A participant with a suspected concussion, even if not knocked unconscious, is not permitted to return to play until they have consulted a physician.
• Before returning, they must also follow the Return to Play section of the Lacrosse Canada Concussion Management Guidelines.
• Once a physician gives medical clearance, the coach, administrator or supervisor must forward a copy of the clearance letter to Lacrosse Canada.
• Lacrosse Canada must be told of the incident (Head Injury Report form), the result of the medical consultation, and the return to play (physician's letter).
• Not following the policy may lead to disciplinary action under Lacrosse Canada's Safety Policies.

Lacrosse Canada publishes the Head Injury Report form, a Child SCAT6 and assessment and clearance letters at https://lacrosse.ca/development/athletes/concussions/