Boys Lacrosse Points of Emphasis - 2025

Eyeshade
The NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee has seen noticeable improvement in the use of properly worn eyeshade. As a reminder, eyeshade (grease or non-glare strips or stickers) shall be a solid stroke and may not include words, numbers, logos or other symbols. It should be emphasized that eyeshade which extends outside the eye socket or below the cheekbone is prohibited. A player found to be in violation of the eyeshade rule (1-10-1h) will be subject to a one-minute non-releasable personal foul for illegal equipment. Officials should look for eyeshade violations and attempt to resolve them before the game begins

Properly Worn Mandatory Equipment
The chinstrap shall be worn on the chin and shall be firmly attached at all the helmet’s manufactured attachment points, securely enough so that the helmet is unable to be removed without detaching the chinstrap from the attachment point(s). Rule 5-6: A player may not use equipment that does not conform to specifications. Use of illegal equipment or failure to properly wear mandatory equipment will be penalized as a non-releasable foul. The new wording emphasizes that the manufacturer intended chin straps to be worn securely on the chin and not under the chin.

Scrimmage Area
The scrimmage area is the area that is roughly within five yards in all directions of the ball or part of active play. The player in possession of the ball is always in the scrimmage area.

New Field Diagram
The NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee saw a need for an updated field diagram. The new diagram clearly defines the Coaches Area as well as the Team Area. The intent of the larger Coaches Area is to provide greater separation between teams, allow for better sightlines for the table staff, and to allow for more exciting transitions from the substitution box. During live ball play, off-field players and substitutes need to remain in the Team Area until their substitution is imminent. Once a substitution is imminent, substituting players will remain in the substitution box and allow the exiting player the right of way. Coaches are reminded to remain on the sidelines during live ball play.

Unintentional vs. Intentional Checks
Involving the Head/Neck When the initial force of the contact is through the body of the opponent and then unintentionally slides up to the head and/or neck area, this will be considered indirect contact to an opponent’s head and/or neck. The result shall be a one-minute non-releasable penalty to the offending player. A player shall not initiate a legal body check that intentionally slides up into or through to an opponent’s neck or head. This would constitute a possible two- or three-minute non-releasable foul at the official’s discretion.