NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Changes Aim to Enhance Pace of Play and Simplify Penalties
The NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee has proposed significant rules changes aimed at improving the pace of play and simplifying the penalty structure. These recommendations, if approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on August 13, would go into effect for the 2025-26 academic year. The proposed changes reflect feedback from officials, players, and coaches, with a focus on addressing concerns about game duration and complexity.
Focus on Pace of Play
A primary focus of the proposed rule changes is to enhance the pace of play in women's lacrosse. Currently, there can be significant downtime between game action.
Eliminating Post-Goal Stick Checks
One of the most impactful changes to improve pace of play is the recommendation to cease checking sticks after goals are scored, effectively ending the "stick drop." Currently, officials check the pocket depth of the stick of each goal scorer to ensure its legality. Ending post-goal stick checks would presumably improve pace of play.
Draw Readiness
Teams would have 30 seconds after a goal is scored to be ready for the ensuing draw at midfield. A team that is not ready will see the other team be awarded possession.
Draw Modifications
Overall, draws would occur only at the start of the game, at the start of overtime, and after goals are scored. The team having possession of the ball at the end of the first, second and third quarters would maintain possession when the next quarter starts. This change is consistent with awarding possession at the start of the next quarter during power plays. The committee decided that there should be a draw to start overtime to provide an equitable chance to gain possession.
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Simplifying the Penalty Structure
The committee also addressed the complexity of the existing penalty structure, aiming to make it more straightforward for players, coaches, and officials.
Expanding One-Minute Releasable Penalties
One-minute releasable penalties in the midfield would be expanded to all over the field, except in the critical scoring area.
Advantage Signal for Penalties
An advantage signal would be used for one-minute releasable penalties, when applicable, which will allow teams the opportunity to play on. The one-minute penalty could be negated if a goal is scored during the advantage or administered at the conclusion of the advantage period.
Running Clock on 8-Meter Free Positions
The clock would run on 8-meter free positions, except for the last minute of each quarter or overtime.
8-Meter Free Position Setup
8-meter free positions would be set up only at the two adjacent hashes on both sides of the center hash.
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Upgrading Dangerous Contact Penalties
Dangerous contact penalties would be upgraded to a non-releasable yellow card.
Flagging Shooting Space Fouls
Shooting space fouls would be flagged in the critical scoring area.
Video Review Enhancements
The committee proposed a change to the way video challenges would be handled next season. If a team has a successful video review challenge in which the original call on the field is overturned, it would maintain its challenge. However, if the call on the field is not overturned, the team making the challenge will lose a timeout. Teams would have to have a timeout to make video review challenges. At the request of teams, the panel approved expanding the categories of plays eligible for video review. Under the new approach, officials no longer will have discretion over whether to initiate reviews, ensuring greater consistency in officiating nationwide.
Addressing Game Duration
Committee members said they received feedback from officials, players and coaches that the penalty structure is complex and needed an overhaul. Addressing the penalty structure and penalty administration is inherently also directly related to consideration of duration of games. At the Division I level in particular, there was concern about games consistently extending well beyond two hours. For media purposes, that window is important, but it is also important for just the enjoyment of the game. Changes in the penalty structure and penalty and game administration could positively impact both.
Collaboration with USA Lacrosse
USA Lacrosse took part in discussions regarding new rules for 2026. USA Lacrosse, NFHS and NCAA rules committees continue to work together and communicate about ways that we can align and support the growth of the game," said Caitlin Kelley, USA Lacrosse senior director, sport experience.
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