Rivalry Challenge

The Rivalry Challenge features nine teams across three age groups competing in both traditional field lacrosse and the emerging sixes format:

Participating Nations and Teams

  • USA: U15, U17, and U19 boys' and girls' youth national teams
  • Canada East: U15, U17, and U19 boys' and girls' teams
  • Canada West: U15, U17, and U19 boys' and girls' teams

 The inclusion of two Canadian regional teams (East and West) reflects Lacrosse Canada's development structure and allows players from geographically diverse regions to compete at the highest developmental level.

Tournament Format | Competition Structure

The Rivalry Challenge employed a unique four-day format that transitioned between two lacrosse disciplines:

 Days 1-2: Full-Field Lacrosse

  • Traditional 11-on-11 field lacrosse format
  • Games played at USA Lacrosse headquarters and St. Paul's Schools
  • Teams competed against each national team counterpart and in cross-border matchups

 Days 3-4: Sixes Format

  • New 6-on-6 Olympic-style format
  • Games divided across three separate facilities (Tierney Field at USA Lacrosse, St. Paul's Boys School, St. Paul's Girls School)

Sixes Format Specifications

 The sixes format represents a revolutionary evolution in competitive lacrosse, designed specifically for Olympic inclusion:

 Key Rules and Structure:

  • Teams: 6 players on field (1 goalie + 5 field players using short-sticks)
  • Roster Size: 12 players per team
  • Shot Clock: 30 seconds (the fastest in lacrosse, down from 52 seconds in PLL and 80 seconds in NCAA men's)
  • Quarters: Four 10-minute quarters with 3-minute intermissions after quarters 1 and 3, and 5-minute halftime
  • Face-Offs: Only at the beginning of each quarter
  • Goal Restarts: Quick restarts by goalies after goals (no faceoffs after scores)
  • Field: Modified hybrid field

 The sixes format emphasizes high-paced tempo and continuous action, with shot backup rules differing from traditional field lacrosse: missed shots out of bounds go to defense regardless of proximity, whereas in full field lacrosse, the closest player gains possession.

Game Scheduling and Scope

 The tournament encompassed 83 total games over four days:

  • Full-field games (Days 1-2): 20 games at USA Lacrosse headquarters (Thursday evening included opening ceremonies at 3 p.m.)
  • Sixes games (Days 3-4): 37 games spread across three sites
  • Intrasquad exhibitions: Included USA U17 vs U19 and girls' U17 vs U19 matchups
 Rivalry Challenge Information