There are 25 Major Fouls listed in Rule 10. Major fouls are those fouls that are intended to protect player safety. These fouls go through occasional adjustments in the rules book in order to keep the game safe.
For example, in 2025 a Rough or Dangerous Check now includes checking an opponent’s hand. The rule change clarifies a player’s hand is part of her body and should be protected.
Given the space available it is not possible to discuss every Major Foul. Comments will be made on several Major Fouls, however.
One of the tools of Umpires is the Held Whistle or “Advantage.” The Held Whistle is used in the field area to show recognition of a foul – minor or major – but to allow play to continue so as not to disadvantage the team that was fouled.
The Held Whistle is a good, but limited, tool. Often players do not see the signal for a Held Whistle, and do not recognize the need to modify their play.
Five Major Fouls require a card and may not be “advantaged” – Check to the Head, Dangerous Contact, Dangerous Follow Through, Dangerous Propelling, and Slash. Shooting Space does not require a card but does require an immediate whistle.
Crosse in the Sphere may look extremely dangerous to spectators and coaches, but it may be “advantaged” so as not to give a disadvantage to the team with the ball.
Dangerous Contact is ANY ACTION that thrusts or shoves any defenseless player. This action could include constant jabs to the kidneys, spleen, or hanging ribs. Dangerous Contact need not be blind side contact or take the player to the ground.
Dangerous Shot is not necessarily any shot that hits the goalkeeper. In judging a Dangerous Shot the Umpires take into consideration several criteria – distance, speed, level of play, location of the contact, and if the Goalkeeper moves into the shot. The higher the skill and experience level, the less likely a Dangerous Shot will be called. Dangerous Shot is not a mandatory card.
Dangerous Propelling or Follow Through usually occur on a shot on goal but may be simply a wild pass in the field. The issue here is control. Dangerous Propelling is ball, and Dangerous Follow Through is stick. The two calls are often confused, and they have the same signal.
Shooting Space is an immediate whistle. Shooting Space is called when the defender is between the shooter and the goal in what is called the “ice cream cone” – a triangle-shaped area with the ball at the apex and the two “legs” of the triangle touching the Goal Circle at its widest points. A defender is not in Shooting Space when she is within a stick’s length of any attacking player. The shooter has the responsibility to shoot safely even when the defender is in shooting space.
A Slash is a mandatory card. It is a reckless or dangerous swing of the crosse at an opponent’s body. The criteria is simply one of control. There is some misunderstanding that the criteria for a Slash is that the stick contacts the ground or that the swing is one-handed. While these actions may inform the decision to call Slash, they are not a part of the criteria.
Three Seconds is called on defenders in the eight-meter arc who are not within a stick’s length of an attacking player. A stick’s length is the length of a stick, not a stick and an arm, and not pointing a finger at an attacking player. Three Seconds may be called once the ball crosses the Restraining Line.
The penalty administration for Three Seconds is based on the location of the ball at the time of the infraction. If the ball is inside the eight-meter arc, the free position is given at the nearest hash mark. If the ball is outside the eight-meter arc and above the GLE, the free position is awarded at the nearest point on the 12-meter fan. If the ball is below the GLE, the free position is given at the nearest dot.
The Offsides Fouls in Rule 8 are designed to create a seven-on-seven game (not counting the Goalkeeper) around the goal and enhance player safety. A team may be limited to less than seven players below the Restraining Line due to penalties resulting in cards.
The Trail Umpire is responsible for counting players and calling Offsides. It should be noted that in rapid transitional play or play where possession changes quickly, the Trail Umpire does not have Offsides as a priority. The immediate safety of players is of first importance. Offsides may be called after another foul is called.
In a stop-clock game the Umpire should call time-out before administering the Offside Foul penalty.
When the attacking team is offsides, the defender closest to the ball will be awarded the free position no closer than eight meters from the Goal. If the ball is below the Goal Line Extended and in the CSA the penalty is administered at the closest dot. The attack player with the ball goes four meters behind the player taking the free position. The attacking player closest to the Restraining Line will be sent back across the Restraining Line (remember, one goes behind and another goes back). Play is restarted with a whistle.
When the defending team is offsides, the Umpire may hold the Offsides call with an open hand held above the head to allow the attack to complete a scoring play. If the ball is outside the CSA when the call is made, the attack is awarded a free position at the spot of the ball, the defender closest goes behind, and another defender goes back.
If the ball is in the CSA and above the GLE when the call is made, the attacking team is awarded a free position at the center of the 12-meter fan, the defender closest to the ball goes behind, and another defender goes back. If the ball is the CSA and below the GLE when the call is made, the attacking team is awarded a free position at the closest dot, the defender closest to the ball goes behind, and another defender goes back.
If the defense commits a major foul within the CSA while offsides, the penalty for the major foul is administered.
Starting and restarting play by a draw or a free position is covered in Rule 5. The whistle is used to stop and start play with the exception of a self-start. With a whistle or self-start the player with the ball may run, shoot, or pass. The exception is a restart of a boundary violation.
The draw starts play at the beginning of each quarter and over-time period as well as after each goal. The crosses are placed parallel to the ground and in the plane of the center line. The open side of the head faces the goalkeeper of each center player, with the players crosse heads coming together on the closed side of the head. The ball is placed between the widest part of both stick heads. Once this positioning is accomplished the Umpire says, “Ready.” At this point and until the whistle is blown, both players performing the draw must remain motionless except for their heads.
Occasionally, Umpires will be asked why left-handed players must draw “backwards.” This question makes an incorrect assumption. For the draw both sticks are in the same position – with the right side of the head towards the ground. The players may choose on what side of the center line to stand.
The right side of the head is determined by a player holding the crosse in the left hand with the open side of the head facing the player. With her right hand the player grasps the railing of the head on the right-hand side. It is this side that is the right side of the stick. Having a “right side” of the crosse goes back to the history of lacrosse equipment where the head of the crosse formed a hook with the open end that was closed with a string or other material.
When there is a violation of the rules, a foul is called, and a free position is awarded. No free positions should be taken closer than four meters from a boundary line. No free position for the attack is taken closer than eight meters from the goal.
The location of the free position is determined by many factors and can be complicated. Basically, all fouls committed in the field and outside the CSAs result in a free position within four meters of the point of the foul. Defensive players who are awarded a free position in their defensive CSA simply have a free position at the point of the foul. Umpires will place free positions for all other fouls based on several criteria that would require more space than is available here. Many Umpires are open to discussing (not arguing) his or her thought process for locating the free position after the game.
Players may self-start for free positions in the field. Starting with the 2024 season players who are awarded the free position need not come to a stop or pause. The player with the ball may choose not to self-start or delay her self-start until opposing players have given the appropriate distance from the ball.
Umpires will instruct opponents to give ground until the self-start is executed, at which point defenders may engage. It is considered a Delay of Game for a defender not to give ground in order to attain the four yards away until the person with the ball initiates the start. In 2025 it is a Point of Emphasis to use the Delay of Game carding progression for defenders who will not attempt to give the four yards away (or behind) distance.
A self-start is NOT an option when ...
The clock is stopped;
An offside violation is called;
There is a defensive foul in the CSA;
There is an alternating possession;
There is an inadvertent whistle;
There is a three-second violation;
Or there is a goal scored.
Alternating possessions would seem to be an easy set-up, but the administration of APs can become complicated based on locations. In a situation where there are off-setting fouls that should be an AP, but one foul will result in a card, the carded foul is administered.
Rule 4 is a catch-all for loosely connected issues – game duration and timing, substitutions, and scoring.
Game Duration and Timing
In 2024 High School Girls Lacrosse games went to a quarter system. That means that varsity contests will consist of 4x12 minute quarters with 2-minute breaks between the first and second, and third and fourth quarters. Halftime is ten minutes unless the coaches agree otherwise. Varsity games in Kentucky follow the NFHS rules. Middle School, Freshman, and Junior Varsity games are of different duration depending on the level and area.
Game timing may be either “stop-clock” or “running-clock.” The clock never stops in a running-clock game. Usually running clock is used for tournaments or JV or Freshman games in high school. An official may still stop the clock as needed for something like an injury if the game is on a set schedule. Off-season tournaments will often adjust game durations and rules for stopping the clock.
In a stop-clock game the clock stops for cards, a crosse inspection, offsides, inadvertent whistle, alternate possession, of a foul in the last minutes of each quarter (new for 2025).
In a high school game using the stop clock, when the difference in the score is ten or more goals the “mercy rule” comes into play. The clock should only be stopped for time-outs under the “Mercy Rule.”
A game is considered completed if it is called for bad weather or other considerations after 75% of the game is completed – the end of the third quarter. Games may be suspended and continued from the point of suspension if less than three quarters are completed.
Time-Out
Each team gets two time-outs to use during the game. In over-time each team gets only one time-out. A time-out is two minutes long and may be requested by any player on the field or the head coach.
Overtime
Overtime is sudden victory. During overtime, the clock stops on time-outs and fouls within the Critical Scoring Area. Each overtime period is 2x3 minutes with teams expeditiously changing ends with no coaching after the first 3 minutes. Play is restarted with a draw. The 2x3 minute period is repeated until there is a winner.
Substitutions
Each team has an unlimited number of substitutions, which may be made during play, after goals, or during a stoppage of play.
Scoring
There are all sorts of definitions as to what constitutes a legal shot on goal resulting in a score. Simply stated, a goal is scored when the ball is shot or propelled legally from the stick and completely crosses the goal line.
One of the aspects for spectators watching a High School game is the “Shooting Space” call. Shooting space is a safety consideration; therefore, in NFHS/USAL rules, officials are required to IMMEDIATELY blow the whistle to stop play and penalize shooting space.
This call cancels any goal that was scored. Spectators should remember that the shooter is required to shoot safely, which does not mean just barely missing the defender. In some instances, off-setting fouls (Shooting Space and Dangerous Propelling) may be called. By rule Dangerous Propelling requires a card and is the penalty that is enforced.
The exception could be a flagrant shooting space call that results in a card on the defender as well. In this case both cards are enforced, and an alternate possession is awarded.
Shoes - Get something comfortable for you to run/jog 10K for every assignment. The requirement is BLACK. That is interpreted to mean if you are standing with your feet flat on the ground, your shoes appear to be 2/3s black.
Shirts - with our move to the KHSAA we are required to use the 2" black/white shirts with the KHSAA logo (see attached). At a minimum you should have one short sleeve 2" KHSAA shirt. (Please note, at https://www.ump-attire.com/ these shirts are to be found under KHSAA football. At this time I cannot find a "female style" shirt; however, it helps to have that shirt pocket!
Everything else is BLACK!!!!
No yoga pants unless worn as an undergarment.
Shorts or skirts/skorts should be professional length - it is strongly suggest that the bottom of your shorts/skirts/skorts should come to the tips of your fingers when your hands are straight down at your side.
January is a good time to get your equipment and uniform together. I suggest golf pants/shorts, tennis skirts/skorts, and rain/cold weather gear from Kohls.
Game personnel includes, teams, coaches, administrators, captains, officials, scorers, and timers. A full team consists of twelve players, one of which may be a goalkeeper. For a player to be “in goal” while the opposing team possesses the ball, that player must be a fully dressed and equipped goalkeeper.
The head coach is responsible for the conduct of all persons connected with the team. On request of the officials, the head coach will effectively control the conduct of his or her team’s spectators. The head coach attends the coaches/captains meeting before the game and verifies that her or his team’s uniforms and equipment are in accordance with the rules.
BY RULE ONLY THE HEAD COACH OR FIELD CAPTAIN(S) MAY COMMUNICATE WITH THE OFFICIALS DURING THE GAME.
Captains by rule are the only players on the field who may speak to an official and request a clarification of a call. Most officials will allow any player on the field to ask a quick question that will only require a brief answer.
Each game shall have a game administrator/manager, who by default is the host head coach if no other person is assigned. The game administrator makes certain that the game is properly staffed and assists the officials with spectator control.
The Umpires
No one comes to a game to watch the officials (Umpires). An Umpire’s goal is to become invisible and to let the players determine the outcome of the game.
In the area served by the Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board a spectator may on rare occasions see one Umpire at a middle school game. Usually at the middle school level two Umpires are assigned. Most high school games will have two-person crews. At high-level and many high school post-season games you will see a three-person crew. A fourth “Table” Umpire is sometimes added to the crew to control the penalty area and benches.
Two Umpires per game is the norm, so let us concentrate on that arrangement. With two Umpires in a game Girls Lacrosse has a very high player-to-Umpire ratio – twelve to one. This situation is made easier with the Restraining Lines that make the game around each goal a seven-on-eight game.
Each Umpire functions as both the “Lead” and the “Trail” at different times. An Umpire is the “Lead” when the ball is moving toward the goal to his or her right; and “Trail” when the ball is moving toward the goal to his or her left. Another way to divide “Lead” responsibilities is as shown in the image below.
The “Lead Umpire” focuses “on-ball.” The “Lead” is always working to be able to see between the ball carrier and the player guarding her. The “Lead” mentally draws a line between the ball carrier and the defender and tries to position himself or herself at a perpendicular angle to that line. We call this the tangent.
Next, the “Lead” will divide his or her Critical Scoring Area into quadrants that come together at the goal. An Umpire will seek to be in the quadrant adjacent to where the ball is while also maintaining the tangent.
Most coaches, players, and spectators do not understand what the “Trail Umpire” is watching. If the “Lead Umpire” is watching on-ball, the “Trail Umpire” is watching everything else.
The “Trail Umpire” is particularly watchful of Three-Seconds and Shooting Space. He or she is watching for off-sides by counting “forward” in order not to lose awareness of play in the CSA.
The “Trail Umpire” is aware of the ball, but not watching play around the ball. He or she may, however, pick up on-ball play if there is a particular need based on the location of the ball.
The Scorer and Timer
The Official Scorer will be from the home team and may sit at the table between the benches at the center line. If the Scorer does not sit at the table between the benches, but in a scorer’s box separated from the field, there must be radio contact between the Scorer and the person at the table between the benches. The Scorer records warnings, cards, suspensions, and ejections; and assists in timing the carded penalties.
The Official Scorer communicates frequently with the table-side Umpire. The Scorer notifies the Umpire immediately when a second yellow card is given to the same player and when a team receives its fourth card.
The Official Scorer also controls the Alternate Possession indicator. After the coin toss the Scorer will be informed by the Umpires which team has the first Alternate Possession and makes certain that the indicator is changed when appropriate.
If the Scorer is not seated at field level, the home team is responsible for ensuring that the scorer’s table has someone present, and that this person has communication to the scorer and timer.
The Official Timer will be from the home team and will sit at the table between the benches at the center line. The Timer will review clock functions and timing considerations and signals with the Umpires prior to the game.
The rules now allow a coach to request a time-out through the Timer. If you work as the Timer, make certain you understand and are comfortable with doing so. If not, the coaches will need to be told.
Before the game begins the Timer and the Umpires will decide who will time a time out – an Umpire or the Timer at the table. It is not unusual, especially at the high school level and below, for the officials to handle the times out.
The Timer may sound the horn to indicate a time out request by the team in possession of the ball. The head coach or any player on the field may request a time out.
The Timer should be aware of how substitutions are made and advise the Umpires if there are any issues regarding substitutions. Substitutes must always enter the game through the Substitution Area, whether during play, during a time out, or after a goal. A player who is substituting “on the fly” must be an “imminent substitute” and remain in the team substitution area until the player she is replacing has entered the team substitution area. Substitutes may enter the game during a team time out after a goal provided there is no delay of game. During a time out to issue a card, during an injury time out or a dead ball possession time out, no substitutes will be allowed. No substitutions are allowed during the time for switching of ends in overtime play.
The Official Timer will inform coaches and players when penalty time is completed. Either Table Official should notify the Umpires of an early re-entry on a penalty, by sounding a horn at the first stoppage of play.
Rule 2 addresses game equipment and uniforms for players. In Girls Lacrosse, the ball must be either yellow, lime green, or bright orange and have the appropriate markings. It may seem a bit pharisaic, but the game may not be played without a legal ball.
The crosses used in Girls Lacrosse are either a field crosse or a goalkeeper crosse. There are certain specifications for each type of crosse. Field crosses must measure in length between 35.5 and 43,25 inches. The strings of the head or net must allow for a portion of the ball to be seen above the railings of the head.
The goalkeeper crosse must measure between 35.5 and 52 inches. The head of the goalkeeper’s cross is larger and looser than the head of the field crosse. A goalkeeper crosse may not be used to score a goal or perform a draw.
Officials inspect crosses before every game. The procedures for inspecting crosses are made in order for there to be uniformity throughout the sport. A crosse may fail an inspection prior to the game or during play. A crosse that cannot be fixed before the beginning of the game must remain at the table during the first half of the game and then re-inspected at halftime.
Coaches may request limited inspections of an opponents’ crosses during dead balls during play. An illegal crosse may not score a goal.
Players, including goalkeepers, must wear eye protection and tooth/mouth protection that is approved by rule. Field players have the option of wearing helmets and gloves.
Goalkeepers must wear an unadorned helmet with a face mask and chinstrap, a separate throat protector, padded gloves, mouthguard, chest protector, and thigh protection with integrated padding (new in 2024). All equipment must be approved by rule and legally worn. Goalkeepers at the high school level are not required to wear shin protection, but they are required at the Middle School (Youth) level.
Proper uniforms assist in the conduct of the game in quickly identifying teams and individuals. Coaches should be aware of the appropriate and legal equipment and uniforms. Head coaches verify to officials before the game that their respective teams are legally and properly equipped according to rule.
The Critical Scoring Area (CSA) has already been mentioned in relation to the field. The CSA is defined as the area inside the 12m fan and extending to the end line.
The CSA includes the area defined by the 12m fan as well as the area defined by an imaginary line drawn from where the 12m fan intersects the Goal Line Extended to the End Line.
Sometimes the entire CSA needs to be considered for play, and sometimes there is a need to differentiate between play above and play below the GLE but in the CSA. Here are the two areas of the CSA – above and below:
There are two dots located in the CSA below the GLE that are used for penalty administration. These dots are five yards below the GLE from the 8m mark on the GLE.
The 8m Arc
Included in the CSA but also an area in itself (sometimes) is the area defined by the 8m Arc. The 8m Arc has five hash marks on it for penalty administration.
Moving out of the 8m Arc, but staying within the CSA, you will notice an area on both sides of each goal that is shaped like a slice of pie. The unofficial term for this is “The Pie.” Within “The Pie” is another hash mark called “The Hanging Hash.”
Penalties may not be administered (set-up) closer that 8m from the goal. Penalties within “The Pie” are set-up on this hanging hash.
The Goal Circle
Finally, there is the goal circle. There are different rules at different levels that control play in and around the goal circle.
The Goal itself is a simple 6x6 foot square. The line on the ground is supposed to be two inches wide, which is the approximate width of the pipes that make up the frame of the goal. The front of the goal pipes should be on the front edge of the goal line. A goal is scored when the entire ball crosses the goal line – either in the air or on the ground. It is possible for a goalkeeper inadvertently to score a goal on herself by carrying the ball across the goal line in her crosse.
Add to the field markings for Soccer, Field Hockey, Football, and Boys Lacrosse and you will understand some of the challenges for players, coaches, and umpires. Indoor facilities can get even more confusing. Everyone on the field seems to be able to function, however, with a lot of understanding and cooperation.
There are several “areas” on the Girls Lacrosse field that shape play and penalty administration. First, there is the Center Circle. The Draw occurs in this area. Once the Draw takes place this area “disappears into the Field.
The Field
Once the Draw is completed, the Field is the next area to be considered. The Field may be understood as all playing areas outside of the two Critical Scoring Areas.
Restraining Lines
The Restraining Lines themselves are not really areas, but in a sense, boundary lines that define an area on the field for the purposes of limiting play in a team’s goal area to seven-on-seven (plus a goalie).
Rule 1 of the National Federation of High Schools Girls Lacrosse Rules Book addresses the playing area and goals.
There is some flexibility in the size of the Girls Lacrosse Field. The maximum playing area is 140 x 70 yards, and the minimum is 110 x 60 yards. The goals should be no less than 90 yards and no more than one hundred yards apart. There must be a minimum of ten yards or a maximum of twenty yards of space behind each goal line to the boundary line. There must be 4m of space between the sideline boundary and the scorer’s table. There should be at least 4m of space between the other sideline and any spectator area.
Typically, a Girls Lacrosse field is played on a high school football field that measures 120 yards x 160 feet. Actually, the National Federation of High Schools rules book for football measures a football field (including the end zones) in feet, so the field is by rule 360 feet x 160 feet. In yards a football field is 120 yards x 53.33 yards.
Why is this important? Well, there is such a thing in Lacrosse as “Unified Field” markings. The Unified Field MUST BE 120 YARDS IN LENGTH. The width may vary between sixty yards and 53.33 yards.
Again, why is this important? The sidelines and endlines for Lacrosse Unified Field markings may also be the same as football. IF DIRECTORS OF ATHLETICS WOULD ONLY USE THE SAME BOUNDARY MARKINGS FOR FOOTBALL, BOYS LACROSSE, AND GIRLS LACROSSE THEY WOULD ELIMINATE TWO EXTRA SETS OF LINES AND A LOT OF CONFUSION!
Also, there is often a significant error when Directors of Athletics attempt to use Unified Field markings at their facility. It is obvious that what many Directors of Athletics do is tell the Boys Lacrosse coach to mark the field; and then tell the Girls Lacrosse coach to unify the field. There is a problem, however.
What happens is that the Boys Lacrosse coach will invariably use the markings for a Boys Lacrosse field – 110 yards long, with the goal line 15 yards from each endline. This places the center line for Boys Lacrosse 40 yards from each goal line and each restraining line 20 yards from the center line and the goal lines.
When the Girls Lacrosse coach goes to put her field markings on to the Boys Lacrosse markings she will find that it is not possible. The Unified Field must be exactly 120 yards long with the Unified goal lines 15 yards from the end lines and the restraining lines 40 yards from the goal lines. This incorrect measuring of the length of the Unified Field leads to three possible errors or difficulties:
The end line markings run through the football end zones and the additional logos that are often placed there and not along the football end lines creating some visibility problems.
The Girls Lacrosse 12m Fans is pushed 5 yards closer to the restraining lines creating a safety problem.
The Girls Lacrosse restraining lines are ten yards closer to the center line creating a safety problem.
You will notice already a mixing of English and metric measurements. That mixture continues throughout the game and is illustrative of the complexity that is in part self-inflicted.