Dear 429lax and Readers,

Thank you very much for covering this information. Again to our readers, you can get an overview on the Youth Rules initiative at the following link:

http://www.uslacrosse.org/youthrules2012

Note that the following information helps guide where the groupings of changes will be focused :

Nearly nine months of work to improve the playing experience in youth boys' lacrosse paid off Friday when the US Lacrosse Men's Game Committee voted unanimously to adopt age-appropriate, national playing rules. The vote sends the initiative to the US Lacrosse Board of Directors' meeting Sept. 10-11, and adoption by the board at that time would implement the rules for the 2012 season.

The youth rules emphasize the proper development of individual stick skills, team play, player safety and sportsmanship, and they will govern play at the U15, U13, U11 and U9 age levels.

More information is included here :

The boys' youth rules include language governing play on the field, such as a reduction in the distance in which legal checks, holds and pushes may occur from 5 yards to 3 yards, and equipment, such as a requirement that goalies wear cups and the elimination of long crosses at the U9 level. Among other highlights include a removal of take-out checks and blind side hits and considerable penalty time for any check involving the head or neck.

Again, we will continue to follow this story.

Sincerely, CageSage