FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABOUT THE EVENT

How old is the Fall Brawl?

The Fall Brawl began in 2002 and celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2021. The 2025 event marks year 24 of this Northern Virginia lacrosse tradition.

Why was the Fall Brawl created?

Back in 2002, off-season tournaments were rare. The Fall Brawl was designed to:

Avoid conflicts with fall sports
Bring players together after their fall seasons
Provide a low-pressure, fun environment
Allow rec and school-based players to reconnect before spring

As club recruiting events grew and became more intense, the Fall Brawl stayed true to its roots: fun, community-focused, and zero recruiting pressure.

What is the mission of the Fall Brawl?

Simple: FUN and COMMUNITY.
It’s one of the few chances each year when all of Northern Virginia (and guests) come together to celebrate lacrosse with a festival feel, good sportsmanship, and a family atmosphere.

DIVISIONS & FORMAT

What format does the Fall Brawl use?

7v7 for all divisions except 8U, which plays Sixes (5 + goalie).

Why 7v7?

7v7 maximizes action and participation:

More touches for every player
Faster games and continuous play
Smaller rosters
Ideal for teams balancing fall playoff seasons and winter sport commitments
No offsides

What are the roster size requirements?

Each team must have:

Minimum: 12 players
Maximum: 18 players

What special rules should we know?

Across all boys divisions:

Ball out of bounds goes to opposing team. No Shot backup.
Fast-break penalties: 2 defenders + 2 attack stay back; one player gets a 5-yard head start at midfield
8U Sixes uses modified Sixes rules

A full rules PDF is available

Why are only rec and high school–based teams allowed?

Because this event supports:

Community rec programs
School-based middle & high school teams
Spring-season teammates reconnecting

There are plenty of club events. The Fall Brawl is intentionally not one of them.

LOCATION & VENUE

Why did the Fall Brawl move to Oakton High School?

After several years at the VA Revolution Sportsplex, Oakton High School offered:

A school-based environment
Partnership with a booster club
Better parking and traffic flow
Room for a true festival atmosphere
A normal daytime schedule for all divisions

Where has the Fall Brawl been held over the years?

Years	Location
2002–2006	Lanier MS (Fairfax City)
2007–2019	Robinson Secondary School
2020–2023	VA Revolution Sportsplex
2024–present	Oakton High School

EVENT SCHEDULE & OPERATIONS

When does the Fall Brawl take place?

The event spans two weekends:

Girls – Saturdays
Boys – Sundays

Youth divisions = Weekend 1
High school divisions = Weekend 2

When are schedules released?

Schedules are posted on the Wednesday before your event, typically at 9:00 PM, on:

www.laxnova.com → Fall Brawl → Schedules

Printable PDFs are posted—no printed copies are provided on-site.

REGISTRATION & ROSTERS

When does player registration close?

Online player registration closes Thursday at midnight the week of the youth event.
After that, players must register on-site.

What is the goalie requirement?

Every team must have a goalie to start each game.
No goalie = forfeit.

What if our roster has fewer than 12 players?

Teams under 12 may be combined so all players can participate.

PARKING & ARRIVAL

Is parking available at Oakton High School?

Yes, but it’s a high-volume, festival-style event. Please:

Arrive early
Follow parking staff directions
Review the parking map before arriving
Pack patience and kindness

Will a parking map be provided?

Yes. It will be:

Emailed
Posted online
Included on the Schedules page

CONCESSIONS & FACILITIES

Is food available on-site?

Yes — the Oakton Athletic Boosters run a full concession operation featuring:

Breakfast
Lunch
Drinks
Snacks
Grill items (depending on the day)

All proceeds support Oakton athletics.

Are restrooms available?

Yes — a combination of:

School facilities
Outdoor restrooms
Portable units near field clusters

TEAM CAMPS

Can teams set up camps or tents?

Absolutely — team camps are part of the tradition.

Rules:

Must be placed in designated areas
Cannot block walkways
Please keep areas clean

Is there a Best Team Camp Award?

Yes — each event day features one winning team camp judged on:

Creativity
Spirit
Organization
Cleanliness
Fun

A banner and prize are awarded.

OFFICIALS & MEDICAL

Who officiates the Fall Brawl?

All officials are certified from locals LOAs.

Are athletic trainers on-site?

Yes — multiple certified athletic trainers are on-site every day to support player safety.

SPECTATORS & SIDELINE GUIDELINES

Where can spectators sit?

Spectators must remain on designated sidelines only.
End lines and team benches are restricted.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are permitted on FCPS property.

Can we bring outside food?

Yes — but please clean up your area.

MISCELLANEOUS

Is this a recruiting event?

No. There are no college coaches and no recruiting.
The Fall Brawl is a fun, community-focused event.