National Federation of State High School Associations

Copyright© 2023 National Federation of State High School Associations. All Rights Reserved.

This copyrighted power point is presented by the NFHS. This material shall only be reproduced or distributed by member state associations for teaching and training purposes.

2024 NFHS GIRLS LACROSSE RULES POWERPOINT

Rules Changes Editorial Changes Points of Emphasis

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF

STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS (NFHS)

• NFHS (located in Indianapolis, IN – Est. 1920):
• National leader and advocate for high school athletics and performing arts programs.
• Serves 51 state associations, 19,500 high schools and 12 million student participants.
• Writes playing rules for 17 high school sports for boys and girls.
• Offers online education courses for high school coaches, officials, parents, students and others.
• Ensures that students have opportunity to enjoy healthy participation, achievement and good sportsmanship in education-based athletics.

www.nfhs.org

NFHS RULES REVIEW COMMITTEE

• The NFHS Rules Review Committee is chaired by the chief operating officer and composed of all rules editors. After each committee concludes its deliberations and has adopted its recommended changes for the subsequent year, such revisions will be evaluated by the Rules Review Committee.

www.nfhs.org

NFHS RULES COMMITTEE

Chris Robinson Charlottesville, VA Chair-2025

Mary Lou Thimas Kingston, MA Section 1 -2023

Feffie Barnhill Wilmington, DE Section 2 -2025

www.nfhs.org

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF

STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS

• The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level.
• Publishes 4 million pieces of materials annually.

www.nfhs.org

NEW NFHS AllAccess – WEBSITE

• AllAccess is the New NFHS Digital Publications Platform that includes:
• Rules Publications
• High School Today Magazine
• Policy Debate Quarterlies
• Other NFHS Digital Publications
• Website organized for associations and individuals to assign books and manage purchases
• Visit www.allaccess.nfhs.org

www.nfhs.org

NEW NFHS AllAccess – MOBILE APP

Access Via Website or Mobile App:

• View available publications for sale
• View publications assigned to you
• Download books for offline viewing
• Read publications as an e-book
• Book features include:
• Table of contents
• Highlighting text
• Creating ‘sticky notes’ on pages
• Searching for terms
• Mark-up pen feature
• Viewing highlights and notes on data page
• Available on App Store and Google Play

www.nfhs.org

2024 NFHS GIRLS LACROSSE

Rules Changes

CROSSE INSPECTION – STICK CHECKS 2-4-5

Rule Change

• Stick checks may be requested during any stoppage of the game clock, including immediately following goals in regulation and overtime periods.
• Stick check requests must be made before the official’s hand is in contact with both centers’ sticks for the draw.

Rationale: Provides clarity to when the cutoff is for a stick check without interrupting the draw process.

www.nfhs.org

GOALKEEPER EQUIPMENT 2-6-1

Rule Change

• The goalkeeper must wear shorts or pants manufactured with integrated protective padding.

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Rationale: Clarifies the requirements of thigh padding for the protection of goalkeepers.

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PERSONAL EQUIPMENT – TOOTH AND MOUTH PROTECTORS 2-7-1

Rule Change

• Tooth and mouth protector rules were reorganized to align with other NFHS sports requiring the use of tooth and mouth protectors.
• Restrictions related to color and graphics were eliminated.
• It is still a requirement that field players wear mouth protectors without protruding tabs.

Rationale: Creates consistency and follows NFHS Sports Medicine Advisory Committee’s recommendation for tooth and mouth protector guidelines.

www.nfhs.org

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT – COMPRESSION SHIRTS 2-7-4 NOTE, 2-9-5

Rule Change

• Field players may wear compression shirts that meet the NOCSAE ND200 lacrosse standard at the time of manufacture.
• Compression shirts that meet the NOCSAE ND200 lacrosse standard are not required to meet the color restrictions of visible undergarments.

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Rationale: Allows field players to wear protective padding intended to prevent commotio cordis.

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UNIFORMS – IDENTIFYING NAMES 2-9-4e

Rule Change

• Only school-related or player- identifying names will be allowed above the number on the team jersey beginning in 2027
• School related names include:
• Schools name
• Nickname
• Logo
• Mascot

Rationale: Creates consistency in uniform rules among NFHS sport rules.

www.nfhs.org

DURATION OF PLAY – QUARTERS 4-1-1

Rule Change

www.nfhs.org

• The maximum regulation playing time is now 48 minutes divided into four 12-minute quarters.
• Teams are given two minutes between quarters.
• Halftime will remain 10 minutes, but may be less than 10 minutes if agreed upon by the coaches prior to the start of the game.
• Players must change ends between quarters.

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Rationale: Allows coaches to provide instruction more frequently.

OFFICIAL TIME-OUTS 4-2-2 EXCEPTION

Rule Change

• When the 10-goal rule is in effect, no official time-out should be called for an offside foul, an inadvertent whistle, or alternate possession in addition to a redraw, or when there is a foul in the critical scoring area during the last two minutes of each half.

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Rationale: Allows the clock to run in these situations when the 10-goal rule is in effect.

www.nfhs.org

OFFICIAL TIME-OUTS 4-2-3

Rule Change

• Coaches may provide instruction to their players during an injury time- out.

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Rationale: Allows coaches to address their players during an injury time-out and eliminates the need for officials to monitor coach/player interactions for potential coaching during this time.

www.nfhs.org

Rule Change

RESTARTING PLAY - SELF START 5-4-1

• Following a whistle blown for a foul outside of the critical scoring area, the player who is awarded the free position no longer needs to come to a stop and settled stance and may continue the course of play without waiting for an additional whistle.

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Rationale: Improves the flow of play and reduces a potential advantage created when the defense has time to setup while the attack player must stop for the free position.

www.nfhs.org

RESTARTING PLAY - FALSE START 5-4-5 & 10-1j

Rule Change

• When a player self-starts outside of the critical scoring area when self-start is not an option officials will now reset play.
• It is no longer a false start penalty.

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Rationale: Eliminates assessment of a major foul for self-starting outside the critical scoring area when it is not an option.

www.nfhs.org

MAJOR FOULS - THREE SECONDS PENALTIES 10-1y

Rule Change

• A free position is awarded at the closest dot for a three-second violation when the spot of the ball is outside the critical scoring area and below the goal line extended.

Rationale: Adds clarity and consistency to the rules for three- second violations.

X

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2024 NFHS GIRLS LACROSSE

Editorial Changes

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UNIFIED BOYS/GIRLS FIELD DIAGRAM DIAGRAM 4

Editorial Change

• Shortened the length of the penalty/sub area from 20 yards to 10 yards (5 yards on each side of the field) to match the current distance on both the Girls and Boys field diagrams.

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UNIFORMS 2-9-3

Editorial Change

• Clarified that the uniform number must clearly contrast with the body of the jersey regardless of trim.

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OTHER EDITORIAL CHANGES

Restraining Line - The restraining line, a solid line 30 yards upfield from each goal line, shall extend the width of the field on a standard field and 25 yards upfield from each goal line on a unified boys/girls field. Electronic equipment may be used…and/or other

individuals connected with the team. However, such electronic equipment shall not be used to communicate with the 12 on-field players or any other coach not who are present on the team sideline or coaches’ area.

Editorial Change

www.nfhs.org

1-1-4b

2-8-1

OTHER EDITORIAL CHANGES

Editorial Change

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2-9-4d

NFHS-affiliated schools - An American flag,...

4-4-1, 4-4-2

A game is considered legal and complete if 80 75 percent of playing time has elapsed.

5-4-2

The offender is not required to go 4 meters behind the player taking the free position.

7-3-1 PENALTIES 3b b. The goalie or the deputy may self-start.

10-1 PENALTIES 12b …will result in a free position awarded to the defense no closer than 8 meters to the goal circle.

2024 NFHS GIRLS LACROSSE

Points of Emphasis

www.nfhs.org

Points of Emphasis

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STICK TO BODY CONTACT

• Legal and safe use of the crosse is essential for minimizing risk.
• Coaches play an important role in teaching proper and legal stick skills.
• Legal defensive stick positioning is a stick held vertically with the head of the stick above the 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock position.
• Illegal stick-to-body contact occurs when a defender contacts an opponent’s body with a stick held in a horizontal position, regardless of who initiated contact.
• Players must not initiate illegal stick-to-body contact by using the stick to hit, push or displace an opponent.
• Officials must recognize, call and penalize illegal stick-to-body contact as required by the rules. Failure to enforce the rules may result in unsafe play and increase the potential for injuries.
• Proper coaching, appropriate play, and diligent officiating regarding legal use of the stick will together minimize risk and maintain the integrity of the game.

Points of Emphasis

www.nfhs.org

DANGEROUS PLAY IN THE 8-METER ARC

• There is high potential for dangerous play and injuries within the 8-meter arc. This can be due to:
• The proximity of players,
• The speed of players moving through the 8-meter arc,
• Aggressive actions by attack players and defenders, and/or
• Shots being taken.
• Players can play safely in this area by:
• Maintaining control of their stick and body,
• Avoiding illegal stick-to-body contact,
• Shooting safely, and
• Not pushing opponents.
• Officials must be in the proper position to effectively officiate play in the 8-meter arc.
• Lead officials must focus on the ball carrier and their defender.
• Trail officials must be aware of play while focusing off-ball then follow the action – shooter and defender immediately after a shot.

DANGEROUS PLAY IN THE 8-METER ARC

Points of Emphasis

www.nfhs.org

• Officials must always be watchful for dangerous follow-throughs, dangerous propelling, and dangerous shots that heighten the risk of injury of defenders and goalkeepers.
• Controlled and safe play in the 8-meter arc coupled with effective officiating can significantly decrease injuries while maintaining the pace of play and the integrity of the game.

National Federation of State High School Associations

Copyright© 2023 National Federation of State High School Associations. All Rights Reserved.

This copyrighted power point is presented by the NFHS. This material shall only be reproduced or distributed by member state associations for teaching and training purposes. Distribution to the public is prohibited without the express written consent from the NFHS. Please contact Davis Whitfield, COO at dwhitfield@nfhs.org with requests.

NFHS OFFICIALS EDUCATION

OFFICIALS EDUCATION

CONTENT REMAINS FREE OF CHARGE

TEACHING AIDS

RULES CHANGES

DIAGRAMS

VIDEO LIBRARY

OFFICIALS COURSES

100% FREE to your state as a NFHS-Member Benefit.

Year Two Accomplishments

16

States Registering Officials

194,810

Contests Assigned

$29M

Payments Sent to Officials

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Future Developments:

• Auto Assign
• Mobil Assign
• Customized Game and Travel Fees
• Mass Update Capabilities
• Integrated Playoff Financial Reporting

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Improvements:

• Invoicing
• Updated Financial Reporting
• Playoff and Tournament Bracketing
• Eligibility Tracking Notifications
• NFHS Learn Integration

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Coming Fall 2023:

• NFHS Exam Center
• New Team App
• New Form Builder

National Federation of State High School Associations

Copyright© 2023 National Federation of State High School Associations. All Rights Reserved.

This copyrighted power point is presented by the NFHS. This material shall only be reproduced or distributed by member state associations for teaching and training purposes. Distribution to the public is prohibited without the express written consent from the NFHS. Please contact Davis Whitfield, COO at dwhitfield@nfhs.org with requests.

NFHS LEARNING CENTER

www.nfhs.org

NFHS NETWORK

NFHS NETWORK

• By 2025, every high school sporting event in America will be streamed live.
• The NFHS Network will be THE DESTINATION for fans to view these broadcasts.
• 27 Different Sports and Activities

www.NFHSnetwork.com

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Over 1 million events this year…

THANK YOU

National Federation of State High School Associations

PO Box 690 | Indianapolis, IN 46206 Phone: 317-972-6900 | Fax: 317.822.5700

www.nfhs.org | www.nfhslearn.com | www.nfhsnetwork.com

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