Chumash was created by Rock-it Pocket founder Flip Naumburg in the early 1990's. Essentially, it's 3 on 3 lacrosse played on a special goal with no goaltender. We've been using it as a teaching tool for local youth leagues and at our Colorado State University Men's Lacrosse Ram Camp for years with a great amount of success.

It's perfect for teaching youngsters the fundamentals of movement and catching and throwing in a game situation without exposing them to a huge, intimidating field. Chumash goals are also good for running simple drills if you are short on goaltenders. Use your imagination!

Rock-it Pocket sells Chumash nets and directions to build your own goal in our online store. Feel free to copy and paste this rule book into a word document, or call 1 (800) 374.7468 for an official book.

NEW!! SEE THE ADDENDUM FOR "NUMASH" >>

SECTION 1. Chumash is a lacrosse game played by two teams of 3 players each. Each team may have two substitutes. There is one goal in the center of the field. The purpose of each team is to score on its respective side of the goal. Long sticks are illegal unless agreed upon by both sides.

A.R. 1 We have found the game to be fun for two on two as well as one on one.

SECTION 2. The Chumash field is 50 yds. long and 30 yds. Wide.  The 6' high, 12" wide goal is centered in the crease, and the net shall be centered or sandwiched in the frame to accommodate shots from both sides. 20 yds. from the goal line and 5 yds. from the boundary on each end there shall be a dotted restraining or "take back" line.

A.R. 2 Field specifications are a guideline only, and the game can be played just as well with modifications based on capabilities. For example, it is a lot of fun to play Chumash on the beach with two poles buried about 1 foot apart in the sand, and a crease that is obliterated periodically by incoming waves.

A.R. 3 The fatter the goal poles, the better.

The net shall be centered or sandwiched in the frame of the goal to accommodate shots from both sides. Each team has a side of the goal to shoot at.  There shall be a restraining or "take back" line 20 yds. from the goal line and 5 yds. inside each end line There is no "safe" zone behind the "take back" line.  A player can be legally pushed out of bounds anywhere on the field.

A.R. 4 Chumash is designed to be as self-regulating as possible to enhance the joy of playing, and to make it easy to play a real game of lacrosse anytime, anywhere. You don't have to have a referee, but you do need to exhibit sportsmanship and fair play. If a call is in question, use a system of alternating possessions. The game was created to be fun and to teach skills, to involve parents and encourage them in teaching their children sportsmanship. It is the kind of game we can use to invite the world to play lacrosse with us. Anybody can play.

SECTION 3. The game shall be controlled by one official

SECTION 4. A game will consist of two ten-minute halves. There are no timeouts if there is a running clock.

A.R. 5 Or you could just play all afternoon.

There are two creases in the game of Chumash.  The first is a regular lacrosse goal crease with a nine-foot radius.  The goal is centered inside this circle.  There is no goalie and it is illegal to "guard" the goal in Chumash. No one can go in the smaller crease unless the ball is down in there.  Then, the player may only pick up the ball and leave immediately.  Failure to do so will result in a technical foul and loss of possession.

The second crease uses the same arc.  The top of the arc is 10-12 yards from the goal line.  Players may move through this larger crease with or without the ball.  They may not stop nor may they shoot from inside the larger or smaller crease.  Players can "dive", but they may not land in the smaller crease ever.  If they do it is no goal and possession is awarded to the other team.

A.R. 1 A player may catch a pass inside the larger crease, then step out of it, turn and shoot.

SECTION 6. There is no off-side rule in Chumash Lacrosse.

SECTION 7. When the ball is on the ground in the crease, players from both teams are allowed to be inside the designated crease area.

A.R. 9 After possession is gained, the ball must be immediately carried or passed out of the crease. Failure to do so is a technical foul and loss of the ball.

A.R. 10 When the ball is in possession of team A, a player from Team B is allowed to be in the crease only if they are continually moving through it.  A defensive player (team B) may not take a position to defend the goal while in the crease. A defensive crease violation will result in a man down situation for Team B, as per NCAA rule on a technical foul with possession.

SECTION 8. Most play of the game falls under the guidelines of the NCAA (boys) or USWLA (girls) rule book.

A.R. 12 There are no rules governing time for ball advancement, etc.

A.R. 13 5 yard (1 meter for girls) rule strictly enforced on in bounds play interference, etc.

A.R. 14 The integrity with which you play brings honor to the game.

SECTION 9. Personal fouls are illegal body checking, slashing, tripping, and cross-checking as per NCAA rules.

A.R. 15 Exception: There is no "brush" call. Any touch of the head or face is an automatic personal foul.

A.R. 16 On a personal foul the ball is awarded at the restraining line. The offended team doesn't have to clear the ball.

SECTION 10. Technical fouls are interference, illegal screen, holding, warding off, pushing, withholding the ball, crease violations, and other technical infractions outlined in the NCAA rule book.

A.R. 17 On a Technical foul, the ball is awarded at the goal line extended, and just inside the sideline. The ball must then be cleared to the restraining line.

SECTION 11. On personal fouls, the offender must go to the sideline until there are 2 shots taken, or until his team gains possession of the ball, or there is a goal scored by the team with the advantage.

SECTION 12. On technical fouls, the offending player must leave the field for 1 shot, or until his team gains possession of the ball, or there is a goal scored by the team with the advantage.

SECTION 13. Leave the field thinking how much fun it was to play and not how you won or lost.

NUMASH CHANGES

SECTION 5. Initial possession of the ball to start the game or half shall be determined by a face-off.  If a face-off is used, whatever team wins the draw must take the ball back to its take back line. After goals there is simply a change of possession at the respective take back line.

Whether you roll the ball out or face-off, the team that gains first possession must take the ball back to their own restraining line. If a team fails to do this it is a technical foul and the ball is awarded to the other team.  Determine each team's "take back" line before starting play.

On shots that go out of bounds the ball is awarded to whomever is closest to the ball when it goes out of bounds. This is unlike regular Chumash. The team that took the shot does not have to take the ball back to the take back line if they are closest to the ball when it goes out of bounds.

A.R. 18 When there is a clear change of possession the team with the ball must pass or carry it back to the restraining line in the front of their goal, much like 3 on 3 basketball. If a team fails to do this it is a technical foul and the ball is awarded to the other team.

THE SMALLER CREASE
There are two creases in the game of Chumash.  The first is a regular lacrosse goal crease with a nine-foot radius.  The goal is centered inside this circle.  There is no goalie and it is illegal to "guard" the goal in Chumash. No one can go in the smaller crease.

A shot that hits the net taken from outside the small crease counts one point. No one is allowed to step into the small crease.

THE BIG CREASE
The second crease uses the same arc.  The top of the arc is 10-12 yards from the goal line.  Players may move through this larger crease with or without the ball.  They may not go in nor may they shoot from inside the smaller crease.  Players can "dive", but they may not land in the smaller crease ever.  If they do it is no goal and possession is awarded to the other team.

During play a shot from outside the large crease counts for TWO points.

Rock-it Pocket has nets and directions for goals similar to the ones shown above. Call the Rock-it Pocket staff at (800) 374.7468 for questions and other info.