A ball is out of bounds when a player in possession of the ball steps on or over the boundary line and touches the ground; or a loose ball touches the boundary line or ground outside the boundary line.
What determines who gets possession of the ball after a boundary violation is based on several factors. For a loose ball on any boundary line the team that does NOT touch the ball last before it is called out of bounds is awarded the ball. It is the team, not a specific player, who is awarded the ball.
If an opponent legally checks the player with the ball and the ball is called out of bounds, the team of the player who legally checks the ball is awarded the ball.
If a ball goes out of bounds as the result of a shot or deflected shot, the team of the player in bounds whose body or stick is closest to the point where the ball went out of bounds, receives the ball.
Goalkeepers may be the closest player in bounds to where the ball goes out of bounds. Goalkeepers are not required to inbound the ball. The team is awarded the ball.
Boundary violations are self-started by running the ball onto the field. There need not be any stopping or hesitation. THE BALL MAY NOT BE SELF-STARTED WITH A PASS FROM OUT OF BOUNDS.
There may be an instance where the ball is called out-of-bounds, and rebounds inbounds or is dropped by an opponent inbounds. The self-start may commence in bounds and a pass may be used. The self-start should commence a reasonable distance from the boundary line (four meters is a good rule of thumb).
The USA Lacrosse 2025 Women's Officials Training Manual has now been released and available for download in a pdf format.
"The Manual" follows the 2025 NFHS Girls' Lacrosse Rules Book. It is an extensive and in depth analysis of each rule. "The Manual" is the interpretive resource for Girls Lacrosse Umpires.
"The Manual" is required reading for all Girls' Lacrosse Umpires and highly recommended reading for all Girl's Lacrosse coaches.
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.
KHSAA - Kentucky High School Athletic Association - starting this year girls and boys LAX will be governed by the KHSAA and officials will be LICENSED by the KHSAA for HS games
KLUB - Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board - this is the state-wide girls LAX umpires' association
USAL - USA Lacrosse - this is the national governing body for girls and boys LAX. You have the option now of being certified as a Girls LAX Umpire through USAL
NFHS - National Federation of High Schools - this entity produces the annual rules book
RPB 10/11 - The KHSAA has split the state into Regional Policy Boards based on Basketball regions. Our RPB is 10/11, As assignor I report to RPB 10/11.
Girls LAX Regions 7/8 - Girls LAX has 40 teams spread all over the state and organized into 8 regions. Regions 7/8 are administerd by RPB 10/11 and include the teams in Fayette, Jefferson, and Woodford. Though your KHSAA license is good for the entire state, I will be assigning you to games hosted by teams in Girls LAX Regions 7/8
Assignor - I am the assignor for Girls LAX Regions 7/8 (your assignor). I am responsible to RPB 10/11 for recruiting, training, and assigning umpires to HS games in Girls LAX Regions 7/8. I am "acting assignor" until I get a KHSAA contract.
Arbiter - This is the assigning platform that I use to assign you to games and by which ADs (schools) pay you. More about that later.
Joining KHSAA:
I suggest that by mid January you register with the KHSAA as a Girls LAX umpire. This is the starting point for you to work games. I cannot move forward with training or assigning you until you register at KHSAA.org. If you need help I can talk you through the process.
Uniforms and equipment:
I suggest you begin to put your equipment and uniform together in January.
We wear black slacks, shorts, or skirts for females; black socks; black shoes (2/3s black is okay); black hat.
We must wear a black and white striped shirt with 2 inch stripes and the KHSAA logo. I order my gear through Ump Attire and pick up golf slacks, socks, shoes, and cold/wet weather gear at Kohls usually. CALL ME FOR ADVICE!!!!
I am checking to see if we have to have the KHSAA logo on the hat.
You will need a whistle (FOX 40 finger whistle is best), set of cards, yellow flag, watch, and pen.
I go to https://www.ump-attire.com/ but you do not have to do that. They are an online warehouse in Louisville, but I can just drive there are pick it up.
Please call me if you are uncertain about what to order.
I recommend golf slacks or golf shorts or tennis skirts for females. You will need pockets. Shorts and skirts should be professional. I suggest that shorts and skirts should not be any higher than your finger tips when you place your hands down you side. NO SHORT GYM SHORTS OR CUT OFF JEANS OR YOGA PANTS. You may wear stretch/ yoga pants under a skirt (females).
All cold or wet weather gear is black.
AVOID LOGOS if possible. If you have a logo of a HS or college that you will wear on the field, put black duct tape over it.
No sagging. No untucked shirts.
Dates to Remember:
31 January 2025 - complete KHSAA registration
9 February 2025 - Mandatory Rules Interpretation Clinic in Lexington - plan on an all morning event (9-12ish); location TBD
27 February 2025 - Have all equipment and uniforms. Remember it gets cold and hot, dry and humid and wet.
28 February - 2 March 2025 - Mandatory Field Experience - this is the Woodford County Jamboree. Plan on about a 3 hour block. It is not pass/fail.
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.
Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025is designed to be a quick reference for persons who are trying to learn the complex game of Girls Lacrosse. It is the continuation of the series of booklets entitled Girls Lacrosse for Spectators that was updated annually.
This booklet contains a title change and small changes to the format, but it is basically a continuation of the Spectators series. It is for “beginners” because of my perceived need of spectators, coaches, Directors of Athletics, and umpires to learn the game.
This booklet is based on the 2025 NFHS Girls Lacrosse Rules Book, the 2025 NFHS/USAL New Rules Seminars, and the 2025 USAL Officials Training Manual. The booklet is not meant to be exhaustive or comprehensive, but a quick resource and reference before, during, and after games.
The booklet comes in two formats - 6x9 paperback for $5.99 and Kindle eBook for $1.99.
USA Lacrosse will host a series of live rules interpretation webinars over the next few months to help coaches and officials prepare for the 2024-25 season.
The rules interpretation webinars are broken into four categories, covering boys’ and girls’ youth and high school rules. Each session for the specific topic will use the same base information, but will also include a USA Lacrosse staff member and a rules interpreter on the webinar live to help answer any questions.
Each session is free of charge for USA Lacrosse members, but requires advance registration with your USA Lacrosse member number.
Use this link to see the schedule of online clinics and to register: REGISTER HERE