Rules of the Game

The rules of the game are designed to do two things – promote fair play and keep players safe.

USA Lacrosse is committed to constantly reviewing and updating the rules of the game to ensure that those goals are always satisfied. We write and publish a stand-alone youth rule book for ages 14U and below, and in collaboration with the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), we work together on the rules for boys' high school lacrosse.   

USA Lacrosse is at the forefront of striving to make the sport as safe as possible for all participants while ensuring a fair and competitive playing experience. Two primary ways USA Lacrosse does this is through its Center for Sports Science & Safety and through its involvement in the rules making process.

Led by medical experts with a passion for the sport, the Center for Sports Science & Safety was created in 2016 and is devoted to research, education, collaboration, policy development, and best practices guidelines that benefit the safety and wellness of lacrosse players, with a particular focus on youth players.

USA Lacrosse staff and volunteers also work together to write the rules for various levels of the game while working collaboratively with external organizations such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) on rule development and player safety efforts.

-https://www.usalacrosse.com/rules-and-safety