In order to compete in the IMG Nationals, teams must earn a bid through competition at any IMG Regional Qualifier held throughout the United States in Summer and early Fall 2018.
IMG Nationals also awards a limited number of At-Large bids. These bids are offered at the sole discretion of the IMG Nationals Tournament Director, although priority is given to all bids earned at the IMG Regional Qualifiers. To inquire about at-large bids, please contact Mitch Andress at mitchell.andress@img.com or 941-752-2510 for more information and eligibility.
IMG Academy will host the 2019 IMG Nationals November 16-17 (Saturday - Sunday)
*Friday, November 15 will serve as team registration day as well as open practice time between 1:00 - 6:00 PM/ET.
IMG Academy
5650 Bollettieri Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34210
IMG Nationals participating teams will be placed into one of the following divisions:
No player may be rostered on or compete on more than one team during the tournament.
Although the tournament is organized to compete under the 2019 NFHS rulebook, US Lacrosse Age Guidelines will be used for the U13 and U15 divisions. Due to timing of the event, the following date guidelines are in place to enable U13 and U15 teams that qualify during the summer months the opportunity to compete. We do not check birth certificates to verify age eligibility but instead rely on the Honor Code which respects the traditions and integrity of our sport.
Eligibility rules for participation in the IMG Nationals are intended to reinforce the honor, spirit and traditions of the sport of lacrosse; provide a safe, competitive environment for players; and offer an enjoyable fan experience for spectators.
We apply and adhere to the competitive principles of US Lacrosse, the governing body for the sport in the United States. We seek to synchronize our Rules & Guidelines with US Lacrosse wherever and whenever possible. However, we reserve the right to set, establish and promulgate rules and requirements which ensure the most fair, equitable, and safe competitive environment possible.
General eligibility rules include:
No more than 25 players may be on a team roster.
Once rosters have been submitted and a player has been assigned to a particular team, that player may only participate on that team at the IMG Nationals.
A player(s) may be disqualified for any of the following violations:
All fields will be regulation size. Any modification(s) to regular field size will be determined in advance of the tournament event and communicated as appropriate to participants.
The following sequence will be followed until the tie breaker is determined:
Protests of any kind are not permitted or considered. The IMG Nationals Tournament Director's decisions are final and binding.
Player safety and good sportsmanship are paramount objectives and priorities of the IMG Nationals. Officials have been instructed to aggressively sanction the following infractions:
Fighting, taunting, abusive/foul language and/or other unsportsmanlike conduct by players, coaches, spectators, etc. will not be tolerated at the IMG Nationals. Any player, coach or spectator that is involved in a fight or other types of unsportsmanlike conduct will be immediately ejected from the game and the remainder of the tournament. Please remember that tone, intent, and body language can all contribute to unsportsmanlike conduct. All ejected person(s) will be required to immediately leave the grounds of the IMG Academy campus/facility. If the ejected person refuses to leave the field of play or continues to cause a disturbance that prohibits the game from proceeding, the IMG Nationals Tournament Director reserves the right to contact local law enforcement for assistance.
In the case of a fight during a game, on or off the field, IMG Nationals staff will defer to game officials to determine player and/or spectator involvement and the determination of punitive actions. IMG Nationals staff will only consult tournament officials (game official, scorer’s table staff, or IMG Nationals staff) in making determinations.
Players, coaches, or other team representatives, including spectators, may be ejected from a game, or the tournament, for inappropriate / unsportsmanlike conduct. If a player, coach, or team representative is ejected from a game, that person is also suspended from the team's next scheduled game.
If a goalie is ejected from a game, the game clock will be stopped to allow a replacement goalie time to properly suit up.
If a player, coach, or team representative is ejected for fighting, they will be immediately ejected from the entire tournament and as indicated above.
The IMG Nationals Tournament Committee reserves the right to cancel, shorten, or reschedule tournament games due to inclement weather, poor field conditions, or player/spectator safety concerns and considerations. No refunds will be granted if these actions are necessary. The Tournament Director and his representatives will communicate game changes. Schedule changes will be available at the Main Information Tent.
It is the expectation of the IMG Nationals that all clubs, teams and players competing in the tournament fully comply with the Rules & Guidelines as outlined above.
Any effort to circumvent the spirit and/or intent of the Rules & Guidelines may result in the disqualification of the affected club, team, and/or player(s) from any current or future IMG Nationals and/or regional qualifying event(s).
Special attention will be paid to any infractions / violations of the Eligibiliy for Particpation requirements. The Administrator and/or Coach of each club / team, by registering their respective team(s) for the tournament, certifies that the credentials of each player on the roster complies with age, roster, and other requirements as it relates to player assignments and that each player has electronically signed the waiver for each event. Coaches/Administrators may be asked by Tournament officials to further certify and/or verify player roster assignments and age compliance at any time prior to or during the event. Violations of the Eligibility for Participation requirements will not be tolerated.
Tournament fees will not be refunded to any club / team /player disqualified from the event.
The IMG Nationals Tournament Committee reserves the right render any interpretation, make any decision, or take any action it deems is in the best interests of the tournament, and its participating players and teams.