Signals 2025

Signals are an important part of a Girls Lacrosse Umpires communication with his or her partner, players, coaches, and spectators.

There are many signals that are available.  For new officials I suggest starting with three basic signals - Direction, Start/Restart Play, Time-out. Once you have these three basics, add three more.  Keep adding.

There are some short-cuts.  Most signals look like what the foul was and/or are consistent with well-known signals from other sports. You will notice that the "Illegal Procedure" signal is the same as in football and is used for about half of the Minor Fouls.

Another important part of Signals is the whistle  New Umpires should get used to blowing the whistle and talking with their whistles.

Finally, be "proud and humble" with your signals. By "Proud" I mean, stand up straight, look up, and make your signals visible. By "Humble" I mean, do not gloat over a signal; but be unemotional.

Here are a series of videos that were originally posted in 2018.

MINOR FOULS

MAJOR FOULS

VIOLATIONS

GAME MANAGEMENT

CREW COMMUNICATION

SELF-TEST: NAME THAT SIGNAL

LAX UMP FUNK

NFHS/USAL Rule 8: Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

Rule 8 Offsides fouls

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.

NFHS/USAL Rule 1 (Part 2): Excerpt from "Girls Lacrosse for Beginners 2025"

The Center Circle

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).