News

Federation/NCAA Rule Differences
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Boys lacrosse in New York State is governed by the National Federation of State High School Association Boys Lacrosse Rules. Most college teams are governed by the NCAA Rules. Although the rules are very similar, there are differences.

This chart demonstrates the differences in 2005 between the Federation Rules which are used by NYS High Schools and the NCAA Rules which are used by colleges.

RULE
NFHS (HS-NYS)
NCAA (College)
Field Dimensions May vary from 53.3 to
60 yards

Must be 110 x 60
yards

Illegal Field No Penalty

Penalty
Goals Round ground pipes
may be used
Round ground pipes
are a violation

Glove Color Common color is not
required
Common color is
required

Football Equipment Football shoulder pads
and helmets are not
allowed
Football helmet with
lacrosse face mask
is allowed

Game Time 12-minute quarters 15- minute quarters
Goalkeeper Penalties Allowed a one-minute
warm-up
No warm-up is
allowed

"Mercy Rule" When score differential
reaches 10 goals or
more in second half

No rule
Time Outs 2 per half anywhere on
the field
Anywhere dead ball
2 per half in attack
area
Anywhere dead ball

Endline Time Outs Restart outside box Restart at spot on
endline

Mouthpieces May be a clear color Must be yellow or
other highly visable
color

Chief Bench Official Can call time-outs
during live ball play
No CBO
Illegal Equipment Playingw without a
mouthpiece is one-
minute non-releasable
foul

Technical foul
Bad Weather Ref may call time-out

No mention
Face Offs sticks Sticks not touching
ball

sticks not touching
center line
EMO Period ends with
ball in flight
Team possession if
ball is caught

Loose ball
Coaches' Rule ?Question During dead ball With 4 mins left
in half-time

Alternate Possession Coin toss winner

Coin toss winner
has choice

Re-entry on EMO
face off
May enter if wing is
left open

No entry until
possession
Goal Scorer adjusts
stick
No goal is adjusted
before hading to Ref

Only if stick is
illegal
Clearing 10 seconds to move
ball over defensive box
line.

20 seconds to move
ball over midline
Offsides call Award ball with both
feet over midline

Turnover where
whistled