Dick's Sporting Goods posted on YouTube some helpful instructional videos for Girls Lacrosse. The videos are intended to help coaches teach the game and to help players learn the game.
The videos also will help Girls Lacrosse umpires to see certain aspects of the game at the field level - where umpires see the game.
There are some tweaks that could improve the videos for umpires, so take them only as a quick basis for seeing the game as an umpire. Not all videos are up-to-date.
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.
Baiting or taunting to embarrass, ridicule, or demean
Non-playing team member leaving bench area
Coach leaving coaching area
Illegal re-entry
Repeated or persistent major fouls
Coaching outside the coaching area
Non-playing team member leaving the bench area
Improper use of electronic equipment
Any behavior in the officials’ opinion that is misconduct
The guidance given by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association regarding expectations for the behavior of fans, spectators, and assistant coaches is an excellent standard. This guidance follows the National Federation of High School's rules for Girls Lacrosse and other sports. It is the standard that should be followed in Kentucky High Schools.
Every Girls Lacrosse Umpire who works preseason, regular season, and postseason High School games is required to view the KHSAA online presentation that includes information on sportsmanship. Umpires, coaches, and Directors of Athletics must read the rule regarding MISCONDUCT (Rule #12) in the NFHS Girls Lacrosse Rules Book.
The Kentucky Lacrosse Umpires Board must start the process toward demanding appropriate behavior from spectators, players, coaches, and bench personnel. This process will start with Umpires insisting on and enforcing appropriate and respectful behavior in accordance with the NFHS rules from ASSISTANT COACHES. Spectators will often mimic the behavior of head and assistant coaches. Strict enforcement of the rules for assistant coaches will have a ripple effect on spectators. Here are some constructive instructions for Umpires:
Do not accept any questions or comments from assistant coaches. If you cannot ignore the questions or comments, then card the head coach.
If an assistant coach misbehaves, yellow card the head coach. For the second infraction by an assistant coach, red card the head coach. By NFHS rule the only way to remove the misbehaving assistant is to red card the head coach, then both are removed from the game.
If spectators are misbehaving, stop the game, and have the game manager deal with the problem. If the problem persists, have the spectator removed. You may pause the game or stop the game completely if spectators become unruly.
The NFHS rules for Girls Lacrosse hold the head coach responsible for her or his spectators' behavior. If the problem still persists, card the head coach.
AFTER THE GAME, the only card that carries any consequences is a red card. If there is any misconduct from spectators, players, or coaches after the game, RED CARD THE PLAYER OR THE HEAD COACH.
Accept no personal comments about your judgement, abilities, or appearance from any source before, during, and after the game.
Umpires follow the KHSAA in having ZERO TOLERANCE FOR RACIAL, OBSCENE, OR DEMEANING LANGUAGE directed toward any game participant - official, player, or coach. If you observe words and identify an individual on the field using inappropriate language, the person should at a minimum receive a yellow card. Such language from the bench need only be heard and a card issued against the head coach.
Officials should not use racial, obscene, or demeaning language.
OFFICIALS SHOULD NOT TOUCH A PLAYER.
Officials must show appropriate respect to players, spectators, coaches, and their partners on specific games or on games of any sport they are watching. Conversations between officials are not to be shared with ANYONE with the exception of investigations by the rule’s interpreter of complaints about specific games or conduct.
Mature adults know what respectful behavior is. Spectators are expected to be a part of creating a healthy, safe, and respectful environment for everyone at the game.
Umpires are more likely to ignore poor behavior and words directed at them; and are more active in stopping behavior and words that are directed at players, coaches, and other game personnel.
Umpires realize that most of the complaints about a call come from a lack of knowledge of the rules. Any obscene, racial, or derogatory comment or action or anything that encourages dangerous play is considered misconduct by a spectator.
There is an appropriate protocol in the rules for managing spectator misconduct. Spectator misconduct can result in the removal of the spectator or the carding of the head coach. Head coaches are held responsible for the behavior of their spectators.
The Umpires’ responsibilities and authority does not end with the whistle. Rather, it ends when the Umpire leaves the site. Abuse of the Umpire after the game can result in a red card on the head coach, which would remove the head coach and spectator from the following game.
The state of Kentucky and most other states provide legal protection for sports officials. In Kentucky, assault on a sports official in the performance of his/her duties is a Class A Misdemeanor. If four or more persons are involved in the assault or it is a repeat offender, then it is considered a Class D Felony (KRS 518.090). A Class A Misdemeanor carries a maximum of twelve months imprisonment (KRS 532.090) and a maximum of $500.00 fine (KRS 534.040).
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.
There are eighteen minor fouls listed in Rule 9. All of these fouls cannot be covered in this section. You should think of a minor foul as a procedural and/or a ball handling foul.
Two Minor Fouls are most often called – Covering and Empty Stick Check. ILLEGAL Covering occurs when a ground ball is covered in order to prevent an opponent within playing distance from playing the ball. The ball may be legally covered when there is not an opponent with playing distance. Goalkeepers may be called for illegally covering the ball by reaching outside the Goal Circle.
An Empty Stick Check occurs when a player checks or hits a stick that is not in contact with the ball in order to prevent or impede the opponent from gaining possession of the ball. Minor Fouls are penalized at the spot of the foul with the offending player going four meters away.
Penalties for Minor Fouls committed by the defending team within the CSA above the GLE are administered on the 12m fan. In this instance a lane, which is the width of the goal circle, is cleared and players must go 4m away – including the player who committed the foul. Play is restarted with a whistle.
New for 2025 is the elimination of the Indirect Free Position for Minor Fouls on the defense inside the CSA. This change means that the person who is awarded the free position may shoot.
Delay of Game fouls have a specific carding progression – Green, Green/Yellow, Yellow. The Green Card by itself is administered as a Minor Foul. The second delay is a Green/Yellow card and is administered as a Major Foul and card with the exception that the card does not add to the player or team card count. The third delay and following is a Yellow Card as is administered as such.
Delay of Game is a Point of Emphasis for 2025. Players who do not attempt to give the required distance for a penalty (4m away or behind) or players who do not give the required distance (2m) in a boundary violation are to receive a Delay of Game card.
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.
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.
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.