England Lacrosse can confirm that the latest World Lacrosse rules will be adopted by senior women’s field teams and teams competing in British Universities and College Sport (BUCS) competitions during the upcoming 2025/26 season.
The only exception is Rule 24 regarding the Shot-Clock which we will not be adopting.
To view the full rulebook, click here.
Please note the ‘typo’ for Rule 19.B.12:
For all minor fouls that occur inside the AFA below GLE:
19.B.12.a The Free Position is set at the dot nearer to the spot of the foul.
19.B.12.b The offender will move 4m behind from the player taking the Free Position.
This should read: The offender will move 4m to the side of the player taking the Free Position.
Please find below a summary of the major changes but please do read the full rulebook for all changes:
Rule 1.A.7 Field Markings
Reintroduction of the previous version of the 11m MA lines and markings (in addition to the current 15m line).
Rule 6.A.21
The goalkeeper must wear padded gloves and may wear shoulder/arm pads and shin guards (soccer/football style), compression shorts or football pants (American football) that conform to the body. Compression shorts or football pants may be worn with or without pads designed for the pants as designed by the manufacturer. Hard plastic pieces on goalkeeper gloves are permissible if included by design of the manufacturer.
Thumb protectors, if attached during the manufacturing process, are legal/allowed.
Rule 8.A.4 Removal of pre-game stick checks
Coaches & Team Captains will be responsible for ensuring that their players are properly and legally dressed and equipped according to Rule 3, Rule 6 and APPENDIX H and confirm this to the officials prior to the start of the game.
Rule 6.A.21 Goalkeeper Goal Score Foul Eliminated
○ If a GK throws the ball into the opponent’s goal, no foul, the goal will count.
○ If a GK crosses the attacking end restraining line, it is still a foul.
Rule 16.A Alternate Possession
Remove the throw, implement alternate possession. This is decided at the captains toss. Captains may choose which goal to defend of the first alternate possession.
Rule 16.B Coincidental Fouls
Rule 17 Goal Circle Fouls
Possession in the Circle
17.A.1 goalkeeper/defender has possession of the ball if they have one or both feet grounded in the goal circle & ball is in their stick or the ball is in the goal circle trapped under the goalkeeper’s stick.
17.A.2 when in possession of the ball in the goal circle the goalkeeper cannot be checked (stick can no longer be checked if outside sphere of circle/a defender’s stick can be checked)
17.A.4 the goalkeeper / defender must move the ball out of the goal circle within 5 seconds of gaining possession.
The official will count the 5 seconds out loud while using a visible, hand chopping motion to count each second that the ball remains in the Goal-Circle.
17.A.13 an attack player may play the ball within the goal circle but must not:
Step on or over goal circle line to play the ball on a shot
Step on or over the goal circle line until the whole ball has crossed the line
Initiate contact with defender / goalkeeper
Cause a defender to make contact with the goalkeeper
Interfere with goalkeeper’s stick
Defence
17.A.14 Defence Has the Ball, Defence Through the Crease
○ When the defending team has possession, players on the defending team who do not have possession of the ball may move through or remain in the Goal-Circle in their defensive end of the field. Any defensive player in possession of the ball must abide by Rule 17.A.4.
17.A.17 Attack Has the Ball, Defence Through the Crease
○ Players in their Defending Area may move through their Goal Circle. Defensive Players are permitted to run through any portion of their Goal Circle while defending; however, only the defensive player(s) marking the ball carrier within a Crosse length, may remain in the crease while defending.
Rule 19 Minor Fouls
19.A.8.a “Covering”becomes “Withholding the Ball from Play”
○ A player must not trap a loose ball on the ground with their stick longer than is necessary to control the ball and pick it up in one continuous motion if an opponent is able to make a legal play on the ball. Raking the ball is permitted. A player must not withhold the ball from play with any part of their body when it prevents an opponent from making a legal play on the ball. A player must not withhold the ball from play in any other manner.
■ Exception: If the goalkeeper is grounded in their Goal-Circle they may trap the ball as per Rule 17.A.1.ii.
Rule 19.A.9 Changes to Empty Stick Check
○ A player must not check/tackle an opponent’s empty Crosse while the opponent is trying to gain possession of the ball in the air. This rule only applies when an opponent is attempting to receive a pass.
○ Guidance: Incidental contact between Crosses while playing a ball in the air is not a foul
19.B.2 & 3 Early Entry (centre-circle & midfield area)
Rule 19.A.10 Eliminate all Body Ball fouls
Rule 20.A.20 Three Seconds
20.A.20.a Only one defender may mark the same opponent without the ball in the 11m Fan.
20.A.20.b For a defensive player to be considered “inside” the 11m Fan both feet must be fully in the 11m Fan. Once one foot is on the 11m Fan line or beyond, this defensive player is considered “out” and is no longer eligible for three seconds.