About

Code of Conduct

The Circuit’s goal is to help every player within our National programs reach his full potential both on and off the field. As leaders of the Circuit, we will work hard to lead by example and serve as positive role models for the players. The players will be given a very clear picture of what it takes to be part of an AAA National Lacrosse program, and we have high expectations and standards that we expect every coach, parent and player to uphold. As a Coach or Player participating in the Circuit, I hereby agree that I:

• Will hold myself, my coaching staff and players to the highest possible standard. Set clear and high expectations for all players and parents representing our National Team;
• Will act in a sportsmanlike manner consistent with the spirit of fair play and responsible conduct;
• Will, at all times, show respect for all coaches, officials, and staff members. Coaches, staff, officials and volunteers will treat all athletes fairly and with respect;
• Will adhere to all event safety policies;
• Am eligible to compete under the rules;
• Will refrain from conduct detracting from my ability or that of my teammates to attain peak performance;
• Will respect members of my team, other teams, spectators and officials, and engage in no form of discriminatory behavior or verbal, physical or sexual harassment or abuse;
• Will follow my team’s rules, including by way of example;
• Agree to be filmed and photographed by the official photographer(s), videographers(s) and network(s) of The Circuit during on-field activities, and authorize event organizers and NXT to use my name, picture, likeness, voice and biographical information before, during and after the period of my participation in these activities to promote the activity in which I participate or to promote the success of the team on which I compete;
• Am aware and understand the role and influence of a coach as an educator, imparting knowledge of skill as well as proper personal, academic, and social behavior;
• Will display control at all times under any circumstance;
• Will not contact a player who is currently in the player pool of another Circuit program for purposes of recruiting the player to join a different program, and if I am contacted by a player currently in the player pool of another program expressing interest in joining my program, I will give notice to the director of the player’s current program.

Guidelines & National Team Definition

The Circuit is where 5th-8th grade AAA National Teams compete culminating in the Circuit Finals on Memorial day weekend.

The Circuit defines four levels of competition:

AAA- National teams 

AA- Elite club teams 

A- Club teams

B- Newer club teams & recreation programs 

 Club Director Goals:  We aim to raise the bar in terms of national team standardization, consistent competition, diversity in coaching staffs, player diversity, sportsmanship and elite game experience. 

The Circuit directors define a AAA National Team as:

1. A program run by a lacrosse club operator running regional clubs in several different geographic markets, and combining top players from those regional clubs into AAA National Teams via a formal evaluation process and agrees to abide by The Circuit’s Player and Coach Code of Conduct; or
2. A program in which several otherwise unrelated regional club programs join together to combine top players from the regional clubs into AAA National Teams via a formal evaluation process and agrees to abide by The Circuit’s Player and Coach Code of Conduct; or 
3.  A program composed of elite players spanning a minimum of two non- adjacent regions, in which no more than 60% of any player pool or roster comes from one regional club, and has a formal evaluation process and agrees to abide by The Circuit’s Player and Coach Code of Conduct; or
4. Any other program that demonstrates an ability to field AAA National Teams in a different structure so long as discussed with current members for feedback and has a formal evaluation process and agrees to abide by The Circuit’s Player and Coach Code of Conduct. 

• Players eligible to compete on The Circuit in 2023-24 must have birthdays as follows:
  • 8th grade – born on or after May 31, 2009 
  • 7th grade – born on or after May 31, 2010 (Exemptions must be born in 2010)
  • 6th grade – born on or after May 31, 2011 (Exemptions must be born in 2011)
  • 5th grade- born on or after May 31, 2012 (Exemptions must be born in 2012)
• We have an automated birth verification system in place called Player Authenticate.  All players must be authenticated to be eligible. During the 2022-23 Circuit (“Season One”) all teams were allotted three waivers/exemptions per grad year.  Rosters have been and will be verified prior to each event.  Teams caught playing with ineligible players beyond the permitted waivers/exemptions will forfeit those games and may be subject to other future penalties.
• In the 2023-2024 Circuit (“season two”) all 2028 players who competed during season one will be grandfathered into the Circuit and we will continue with three waivers/exemptions at the 2028 age group.  The 2029 are group will have two waivers/exemptions, the 2030’s one waiver/exemption and the 2031s no waivers/exemptions.  The goal is by 2026 to be 100% age based and authenticated.  
• Each National Team competing on the circuit must field rosters at each of the four age levels annually and no more than 60% of a roster can represent one market club.  Clubs may only enter one team at each age group in Circuit events. 
• Each National Team must roster a minimum of 18 players and maximum of 30 age-eligible players per age group per season.
• A player must attend at least one of the October or December circuit events to be eligible to participate should his National Team qualify for the Circuit Final Weekend on Memorial day weekend.  
• Once a player has played in an event with a National Team
  • Player Release Rule- If a player wishes to switch national teams, he must secure a release from his current National Team in order to join the roster of another National Team.  Releases should not be unreasonably withheld.  An email will go to all directors to have an opportunity to refute or weigh in.  This rule is intended to keep teams from poaching other clubs players and maintain consistent rosters. 
  • Season-to-Season Rule- A maximum of three player per grad year who have competed in the Circuit for a National Program are eligible to switch to another National Program the following season.  This rule is put in place to maintain consistent rosters.