BALTIMORE – The US Lacrosse Women’s Division Board of Governors has approved the following recommendations from the US Lacrosse Women’s Division Rules Committee for new women’s lacrosse rules.
Rule 2 – Equipment and Uniforms
Section 8 – Beginning with the 2009 season the mouthpiece shall be of any readily visible color other than clear or white. This currently applies to only NFHS affiliated schools.
Section 12 – Added that the goalie may also wear pants/shorts that are gray in color.
Rule 3 – Game Personnel
Section 11 – Added as one of the duties of the official scorer that they must notify the umpire when a fourth card is given to the same team.
Rule 4 – Time Factors and Scoring
Section 1 – When the 10-goal rule is in effect no time out will be called for a redraw. [Other sections in the book will also be re-worded to reflect this change.]
Rule 5 – Play of the Game
Section 11 – If the goalkeeper who is still in her goal circle is the closest to the ball when it crosses the boundary, she will be awarded the ball and can remain in her circle to restart play. This will now be consistent with what happens when the goalie is closest when a shot goes out of bounds.
Section 15 – This section was changed to allow the shooter to follow through with her stick over the goal circle on a shot and to allow the player directly defending the shooter to also have her stick over the goal circle. This change will NOT be in effect for Youth level play and a specific foul for being in the goal circle (body or stick) has been added to the Youth Rules.
Rule 6 – Fouls
Section 1.g – Added another example to illustrate illegal use of the crosse – lowering the head of the crosse below the shoulder AND initiating crosse to body contact.
Section 2.f – Reworded the body ball foul – player may not allow any part of her body to deliberately impede, accelerate or change the direction of the ball. We will no longer focus on "distinct advantage".
Rule 7 – Penalty Administration
Section 29-31 – In an effort to clarify the section on cards a number of changes have been made to the wording in these sections. Two yellow cards to any player will signify that she is to be removed from participation in that game, and the reference to a red card has been removed. A red card will now be indicative of a flagrant foul or misconduct that calls for immediate removal from the game. Changes will also be made in Rule 8 – Definition of Terms to reflect this rewording.
Rule 9 – Manufacturer’s Specifications
Section 26 (new) – Added specific wording to prohibit the use of additional materials covering any of the pocket strings (i.e., tubing, beads, etc.)
Section 27 – Added a note following this section to give some examples of things that might prohibit free ball movement in the pocket.
Stick Testing Procedures – The rules will continue to allow the submission of pre-production models to the lab for testing but only a preliminary approval will be given for this type of stick. Final approval and listing on the web site will only result when a final production model has been submitted and passed all testing.
• 2007 Rule Interpretations and Clarifications
• 2007 Rule Change Synopsis
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