BOTC - US Lacrosse Community Forum Forums LACROSSE LIBRARY RULES & REGULATIONS US Lacrosse Announces 2014 Girls' Rule Changes

US Lacrosse has announced the final rule revisions for the 2014 girls' high school and youth lacrosse rules. Both sets of rules are endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) and written by the US Lacrosse Women's Game Rules Subcommittee and approved by its Women's Game Committee. The youth rules are a product of modifications to the high school rules.

"US Lacrosse and its women's game rules subcommittee continue to focus on player safety and game integrity to promote the responsible growth of the sport," said Melissa Coyne, US Lacrosse women's game director.

"Over the last four years, the women's game has seen a decrease in overall injuries to players and we attribute some of that to successful rule interventions. As the game continues to evolve and grow, we will continue to evaluate the rules by which the game is played and make adjustments as necessary to ensure a positive experience is had by everyone on and off the field."

The points of emphasis for the 2013-2014 season are strict enforcement of rules governing illegal: body contact, obstruction of free space to goal, repetitive fouls, and stick contact and cross checking.

Major rule changes for the 2013-2014 season at all levels of play include decreasing the number of players from each team on the draw circle from five to three; increasing penalty time for a red card from two minutes to four; and disallowing additional facial protection to be worn other than ASTM International-approved goggles and mouth guard. ASTM International-approved goggles have been the standard since the rule was created in 2004.

The major rule change that affects only the youth level is that under-11 and U13 coaches must now remain within their own coaching area. This area is on the bench/table side of the field extending from their side of the substitution area to their end line, and even with the scorer's table extended (at least 4m from the sideline) and does not include the area directly behind the scorer's table.

The 2014 high school girls' rules and 2014 US Lacrosse girls' youth rules are in effect for fall 2013 competition.

US Lacrosse - Women's Rules - Changes for Girls 2014 HS/Club

Some of the most noteworthy changes are the following:

[1] Draw - Only three players from each team may be around the circle for the draw.

[2] Ejection - The penalty for a red card shall be four minutes.

All of the others are fairly procedural in nature.

I would add the "Illegal use of the Crosse" as also something that will take many players time to adapt to because many defenders are taught to hold their stick in a horizontal manner when defending as compared to how the rule is written and currently enforced. There should not be cross-checking in girls lacrosse and if properly enforced then you will see a fewer number of black and blues' on girls arms.