Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/11/25 – From Press Release
2025 NFHS GIRLS’ LACROSSE RULE CHANGES
4-1-2— Establishes that the clock will stop on the official’s whistle after each goal and when a foul is called in the critical scoring area during the last minute of each quarter.
5-2 PENALTIES 1 & 2 — Moves the free position from the center line to the spot of the ball when one player draws illegally and maintains that a re-draw will occur at the center line when both players draw illegally.
9-1 PENALTIES for Violation of 9-1a, b and e-r; 4a, b; 13 Definition of Terms — Eliminates the indirect free position for a minor foul by a defense player occurring in the 12-meter fan and allows the player who is fouled to shoot from a free position on the 12-meter fan.
10-1p, 13 Definition of Terms — Establishes player body and crosse positioning for a legal pick.
10-1q(1) — Expands the definition of a major foul for Illegal Stick Contact to include contact with the opponent’s crosse when a player’s crosse is held in a horizontal position.
10-1u(2) — Expands the definition of a Rough/Dangerous Check to include checking an opponent’s hand.
2025 MAJOR EDITORIAL CHANGES
3-6-1— Requires the home team to have direct electronic communication with the scorer if the scorer is not seated at the scorer’s table.
8–1 NOTE (NEW), 12-8 TEAM CARD PENALTIES — Clarifies that a team playing short due to a suspension or ejection of a player(s) shall play short below the restraining line in both its offensive and defensive ends of the field for the entire penalty time.
10-1 PENALTIES 13 (NEW) — Adds language to clarify that the same penalty administration for cards issued for misconduct applies to yellow and red cards for a major foul.
2025 EDITORIAL CHANGES
2-2-4; 2-5-2e; 2-7-5a, b; 2-7-7 NOTE; 2-9-4; 3-5-3g (NEW); 3-6-1; 4-3-3b, c; 4-7- 1; 4-7-5a; 5-3; 5-4-4; 8-1-1 NOTE (NEW); 9-1m(6) (NEW); 10-1 PENALTIES 6; 12 NOTES 1 & 2 (NEW); 12-9 TEAM CARD PENALTIES NOTE: Situations and Rulings immediately follow the corresponding rule/section. New or revised Situations and
COMMENTS ON THE 2025 RULES CHANGES
4-1-2 — Stopping the clock on the official’s whistle after each goal and when there is a foul called in the critical scoring area during the last minute of each quarter provides consistency in clock management and eliminates the potential for time to expire before a free position can be administered.
5-2 PENALTIES 1 & 2 — Moving the free position from the center line to the spot of the ball when one player draws illegally improves the flow of the game by eliminating the need to bring the ball back to the center for a re-draw. A re-draw will still occur at the center line when both players draw illegally.
9-1 PENALTIES for Violation of 9-1a, b and e-r; 4a, b; 13 Definition of Terms — Eliminating the indirect free position for a minor foul by a defense player occurring in the 12-meter fan and allowing the player who is fouled to shoot from a free position on the 12-meter fan simplifies the penalty application for minor fouls in the critical scoring area while maintaining a balance of offense and defense.
10-1p, 13 Definition of Terms — Establishing player body and crosse positioning for a legal pick clarifies for players, coaches and officials the positioning a player must have when setting a safe and legal pick.
10-1q(1) — Expanding the definition of a major foul for Illegal Stick Contact to include contact with the opponent’s crosse when a player’s crosse is held in a horizontal position clarifies that it is illegal for a player to make contact with an opponent’s crosse in addition to the body when the player’s crosse is in a horizontal position.
10-1u(2) — Expanding the definition of a Rough/Dangerous Check to include checking an opponent’s hand clarifies a player’s hand is part of their body and should be protected against rough and dangerous checking.
2025 POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Use of the Green Card/Delay of Game PIAA Officials—Have you ever used this card? It’s a game management tool! Proper use of the green card by officials is important to discourage and penalize fouls that interrupt the flow of the game. Officials should be aware and knowledgeable of all delay-of- game behavior and use the green card procedure whenever the rule is violated. Ignoring the violation or repeatedly resetting the play perpetuates delay-of-game behavior and negatively impacts the flow of the game. Effective green card management will enforce fair play and minimize repeated violations. The following are common examples of delay-of-game violations that should be penalized with a green card:
• Defenders failing to promptly move 4 meters away from a free position;
• Offenders continuing to run down the field after committing a foul in the midfield rather than taking action to move 4 meters away or behind the ball carrier;
• Players failing to promptly clear the penalty zone; and
• Teams failing to promptly return to the field after the time-out or time between quarters has expired. Proper Delay of Game Procedures PIAA Officials—When possible, be preventive with a warning prior to carding.
• Time-out is called to administer a delay-of-game card.
• First violation – a green card shall be issued against the offending team. A change of possession takes place if applicable for the minor foul.
• Second violation – a green/yellow card shall be issued against the offending player and award the appropriate penalty for a major foul. The offending player must leave the field and enter the penalty area for two minutes of elapsed playing time. The team will play short below the restraining line in both its offensive and defensive ends of the field for the entire penalty time. This card is not included in the team or player’s card count.
• Third/subsequent violation – will result in a yellow card for misconduct and will be included in the team and player’s card count. Page 3 2025 Girls’ Lacrosse Preseason Bulletin
PIAA POINT OF EMPHASIS – SPORTSMANSHIP – INSENSITIVE REMARKS
• PIAA Officials must be aware of racially insensitive remarks between players during contests.
• If heard by a PIAA official, remarks must be addressed immediately and firmly.
• Ejections should be strongly considered when faced with this type of infraction.
• If an official fails to hear the remark but it is reported to them by a player, the official must approach the potentially offending team’s head coach and report to that head coach what they were told.
• PIAA adopts the 2025 NFHS Girls’ Lacrosse Rules Book.
• Modify Rule 4-6 Overtime Procedures – when the score is tied at the end of regular playing time during Regular Season Contests, the winner will be decided on a “sudden victory” overtime of no more than six minutes in length with the Teams changing ends after 3 minutes, with no delay for coaching. The clock only stops on officials’ time outs or fouls in the critical scoring area. If the six-minute “sudden victory” overtime expires without a goal, the game remains a tie; and modify Rule 12 to be consistent with the
PIAA By-Laws relating to consequences arising from disqualification from a Contest for unsportsmanlike conduct.
2025 PIAA ADOPTIONS and MODIFICATIONS
Any Coach and/or adult Team Personnel removed, ejected or disqualified from a Contest who refuses to leave the competition area (out of sight and sound) as directed by the Contest Official will result in a forfeiture of the Contest. This policy has been adopted by the PIAA Board of Directors in an effort to address poor acting adults who refuse to abide by the applicable rules book and to show support of PIAA officials. Officials who encounter situations that involve this policy must report the occurrence to the PIAA Officials Department the next business day.
PIAA 2025 GIRLS LACROSSE SCHEDULE
First Practice Date ………………………………………………………………………………………….. Monday, March 3
First Inter-School/Scrimmage Date ………………………………………………………………. …Saturday, March 8
First Regular Season Play Date ………………………………………………………………………… Friday, March 14
Last Regular Season Contest Date and District Championship Deadline ………………………………………………………………………. Saturday, May 31
PIAA Girls’ Lacrosse Championships: First Round …………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Tuesday, June 3 Quarterfinals ………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Saturday, June 7 Semi-Finals …………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Tuesday, June 10 PIAA Girls’ Lacrosse Championship Finals Panzer Stadium PSU, State College, PA ……………………………………………………….
Saturday, June 14 AA Championship Game …………………………………………………………………………………….10 am
AAA Championship Game ………………………………………………………………………………….. Noon
