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2024 NFHS BOYS LACROSSE RULES CHANGES

National Federation of

State High School Associations (NFHS)

RULE 1- THE GAME, FIELD AND EQUIPMENT

2024 Changes to:

Rule Change

ART. 2 . . . Goalkeepers Crosse

The measurements of the goalkeepers crosse shall be: Length 40-72 inches, head 10-12 inches wide,

maximum 16 ½ inches long. Additionally, there are no restrictions on stringing, (other than a hanging

length no longer than 2 inches) and no restrictions on pocket depth.

Removed the above language from 1-6-1

Renumbered remaining articles

Rationale:

This change separates the stick to be used by the goalkeeper from all other sticks used. This proposal simplifies the reading of rule and eliminates confusion of legality of pocket, stringing etc. unique to the goalkeeper.

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RULE 1-6-2 (NEW)

RULE 1-9-1 A, C, E, H4

Rule Change

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• Updated the mandatory equipment to be worn as the manufacturer intended.
• Expanded the way the chin strap is to be worn
• Simplified protective gloves
• Clarified arm pads
• Clarified jersey numbers shall be a single solid color that clearly contrasts with the body color of the jersey (January 2027)
• Rationale: Clarifies the equipment used

RULE 2 – GAME PERSONNEL

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2024 Changes to:

RULE 2-2

Rule Change

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• Changed to allow for multiple captains

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• Rationale: Cleans up language to match the current practice

RULE 2-7-2 AND 2-7-2I

Rule Change

• ART. 2… The assigned chief bench official also shall be empowered to count crosses when requested and call the following:
• i) Count crosses when requested. Too many long crosses on the field.
• Rationale: Counting crosses is included as item 'i' in list of things the CBO is empowered to call so is redundant prior to the list. Also, should not need to be requested for CBO to make this call as none of the other CBO calls are restricted.

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2-8-1

Rule Change

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• Removed timing duties from the CBO

RULE 3 – PLAY OF THE GAME

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2024 Changes to:

3-3

Rule Change

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• 3 . . . During the final two minutes of regulation play, stalling rules will be in effect for a team that is ahead by four goals or less. Get it in/keep it in procedures will apply (see 4-31) . The team that is ahead by four goals or less will be warned to "keep it in" once the ball has been brought into the respective goal area.

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• Rationale: Clarifying language which currently does not include ‘get

it in' language.

RULE 4 – PLAY OF THE GAME

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2024 Changes to:

RULE 4-3-3I AND J

• ART. 3i . . . Upon the whistle starting play, players shall not initiate a body check against their opponent; a body check against a crouched player is an illegal body check.
• ART. 3. . . A violation will be called if a player picks up and carries the ball on the back of the stick. It is legal to clamp the ball with the back of the stick, but it must be moved, raked or directed immediately within one step. Immediately is defined as within one step.
• Rationale: Clarifies what an attempt is during a face-off. Further defines what a player can and cannot do for body checks and when they can start movement.

Rule Change

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RULE 4-6-3C AND 4-3-2

Rule Change

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• Updated and simplified alternate possession

• Rationale: Alternate possession should be used sparingly and in situations where there has been an error made by officials or a situation that is out of the official’s control (i.e. player injury, inadvertent equipment issues, etc during a loose ball situation). These changes will simplify the rulebook for officials, players, and coaches

RULE 4-9-2 AND 4-9-3

Rule Change

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• Removed A goal will be allowed if the shot is released prior to the end of the period from 4-9-2 and added it to 4-9-3

• Rationale: More appropriate to incorporate language into ART 3 than ART 2(p)

RULE 4-22-1 PENALTY

Rule Change

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• Changed from a delay of game to an illegal procedure for delayed restarts

• Rationale: Foul is more appropriate as an illegal procedure.

RULE 4-24-11 (NEW)

Rule Change

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• ART. 11. . . If a player has the helmet come off during play, play shall be suspended immediately, and the player shall leave the field until after the next dead ball following the resumption of play.

Rationale:

The instances of players wearing their helmets improperly is rising rapidly. With risk minimization a major focal point of the rule book, helmets must be worn appropriately as the manufacturer intended with all straps securely attached.

RULE 5 – PERSONAL AND EJECTION FOULS

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2024 Changes to:

RULE 5-4-2 (NEW)

Rule Change

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• ART. 1. . . A player shall not initiate contact to an opponent’s head or neck with a cross- check, or with any part of the body (head, elbow, shoulder, etc). Any follow-through that contacts the head or neck shall also be considered a violation of this rule.
• ART. 2 . . . A player who makes indirect contact to an opponent’s head and/or neck when the initial force of the contact is to the body of the opponent then slides up to the head and/or

neck area.

• PENALTY: A one-minute non-releasable foul. An excessively violent violation may result in a

longer non-releasable penalty or an ejection.

• ART. 4. . . A player shall not initiate a body check legally that slides up into or follows

through to an opponent’s head or neck.

• Renumber remaining articles.

Rationale: The committee is seeing a reluctance to call a two-minute non-releasable penalty for incidental contact to the head/neck area. This change gives officials the ability to assess a penalty that would be more appropriate and encourage officials to make the call when contact occurs.

5-6

Rule Change

• A player may not use equipment that does not conform to specifications. The fingers/palms of a player's hands must be completely covered by the player's gloves and the gloves may not be altered in a way that compromises the protective features of the gloves. Use of illegal equipment or failure to properly wear mandatory equipment will be penalized as a non-releasable foul.

EXCEPTION: Mouthpiece violation. (6.5.2x)

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Rationale: Specific language on gloves does not belong in a general rule dealing with illegal equipment.

RULE 6 – TECHNICAL FOULS

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2024 Changes to:

6-1-1 PENALTY B

Rule Change

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• ART. 1b . . . b If the ball is loose If the team fouled does not have possession of the ball (either the ball is loose or the offending team is in possession) and there is no flag down award the ball to the team that was fouled.

• Rationale: Adds more accurate detail.

6-6-4 (NEW)

Rule Change

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• ART. 4. . . First team violation of Rule 4-18-4: No defensive player, other than the properly equipped goalkeeper, can enter the player's own crease with the perceived intent on blocking a shot or acting as a goalkeeper.

Rationale: This is listed as a conduct foul under Rule 4-18-4, but it is not listed under an actual Conduct

Foul rule.

2023 Boys Lacrosse Points of Emphasis

2023 POINTS OF EMPHASIS

Points of Emphasis

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1. Crosse Prohibitions
2. Eyeshade
3. Properly Worn Mandatory Equipment
4. Checks Involving the Head/Neck

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