England Lacrosse has taken the decision to implement changes to the permitted specifications for sticks used for women’s lacrosse following rule changes put forward by the sport’s world governing body, World Lacrosse.
From 1 January 2020, England Lacrosse will be allowing the use of all sticks that meet the updated Manufacturer Specifications (Rules 3.5/6 and Appendix G) in all England Lacrosse organised competitions (i.e National Schools, National Club Championships etc).
After reviewing the rule changes announced at the World Lacrosse General Assembly in August, England Lacrosse has also put together a timeline for consultation and communication of changes to the current playing rules.
Alongside changes to stick dimensions, the new set of stick specifications also allow for the use of mesh pockets. This follows the decision made by World Lacrosse to change the specifications a stick head must meet to be deemed legal for play at World Lacrosse events.
The rule change will bring global equality of women’s lacrosse stick specifications, making it simpler and easier for players to purchase equipment, and bringing the latest technology and innovations in stick design and manufacturing to England.
As an equipment rule, England Lacrosse has chosen to adopt the change for use in EL domestic competitions as of 1 January. Schools and regional associations may choose to adopt the rule change at any time as per their own procedures.
Further explanation regarding manufacturer stick specifications is available on pages 18 – 29 and Appendix 1 of the General Assembly Women's Rule Changes document.
Additionally, changes to a number of playing rules to the international game were agreed by World Lacrosse . These include:
- Removal of 15m arc and changes to the 11m fan
- Introduction of free movement
- Allowance to self start outside the 11m advantage flag area. This includes when the ball goes out of bounds at the side and end lines – the player must stand 2m inside the boundary before the self start
- Defensive player/s may move through the goal circle
- Advantage flag area includes the playing area behind the goal that runs 12m deep and 11m to each side of the centre of the goal line (due to removal of 15m arc)
England Lacrosse will consult with the domestic game to decide which, if any, of these rules to implement in 2020/21. The consultation process is detailed below. We encourage individuals to provide feedback via the online surveys to be released in the coming weeks and face to face consultations to ensure the decision is based on substantial feedback from across the game.
Consultation process
Nov-Dec 2019 – Online survey (1) open for initial feedback
Jan-Feb 2020 – Face to face consultations with regional associations
Jan-March 2020 – Online survey (2) open for final wave of feedback
April 2020 – All feedback analysed and final decisions agreed by National Lacrosse Committee
May 2020 – Communication of decisions to game
Further details regarding the changes can be seen in the World Lacrosse Press Release.