Girls Lacrosse Comments on the Rules - 2027

2-2-4 — Additional stringing requirements for pocket construction clarifies that the pocket must be attached directly to the head through stringing holes, eliminates non-integral stringing that can create an advantage, creates parameters for runners to eliminate gamesmanship, and provides guidance to address elastic filaments that allow the pocket shape to change dynamically during play.

2-2-5b — Crosses must be made commercially available to the general public in addition to their required placement on the USA Lacrosse website. Accessibility by all athletes eliminates inequity in access.

2-4-4b, c; 2-2-5d, e — During all crosse inspections, officials must ensure the ball moves freely within all parts of the head and pocket. This includes touching the sidewalls on both the front and upper one-third of the back side of the pocket.

2-9-4 — Beginning in 2031, teams will be required to wear white jerseys when playing at home. Eliminating the allowance of any light color removes ambiguity and creates consistency with other NFHS rule codes.

3-8, 4-9 (NEW) — State associations may choose to adopt a 90-second possession clock to reduce stalling and increase pace of play. The 90-second clock shall be visible, and the operator shall be provided by the home team and seated at the scorer’s/timer’s table. A shot on goal must leave the shooter’s crosse before the expiration of time.

4-2-3 — When a player is suspected of injury and the official initiates a time-out, the player must only leave the field if an appropriate health-care professional or coach enters the field to attend to the player. This eliminates the need for an uninjured player to leave the field when an injury time-out is called unless they receive attention from an appropriate health-care provider or coach.

4-8-1, 4-8-2, 4-8-3 (NEW), 4-8 PENALTIES 5 (NEW) — Guidance has been added aligning with criteria outlined in the NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book clarifying when a goal shall count following the release of a shot before the horn ending the quarter or overtime period. Additionally, the penalty administration for illegal equipment discovery immediately following a goal has been added.

9-1l — The switching of crosses with another player on the field during play will result in a minor foul. This change clarifies when and where players may switch crosses during play and continues to allow players to switch crosses on the field after a goal and during time-outs.

9-1a, b, e-g and i-s PENALTIES — Any player from the offended team on the field may take the free position when a minor foul occurs, increasing pace of play. For major fouls, the offended player must take the free position.

10-1m — The word “tagging” was removed from the definition of holding to eliminate an undefined action.