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Publisher’s Note: The National Federation of State High School Associations is the only source of official high school interpretations. They do not set aside nor modify any rule. They are made and published by the NFHS in response to situations presented.
Dr. Karissa L. Niehoff, Publisher, NFHS Publications © 2025

2025 NFHS Boys Lacrosse Rules Book Corrections: (Underlining shows additions; strikethrough shows deletions.)
Rules Book Corrections
Page 3, 2025 Boys Lacrosse Rules Changes: 2-1-1 – Clarified equipment issues with the goalkeeper and warmup periods; 5-5-h 5-4-2 PENALTY;
Page 36, 4.5.3 SITUATION A: . . . In (b), Flag down, immediate slow whistle.;
Page 50, 4.19.5 SITUATION B: . . . , while A1 B1 is still in possession of the ball.

SITUATION 1: Before the game begins, the officials notice several players on Team A wearing their helmet chin straps loosely under the chin or above the chin on the mouth area. The official reminds Team A’s captain and head coach to inform their teammates/players to properly tighten their chin straps and wear them on the chin. RULING: Correct procedure. COMMENT: Officials should use preventive officiating and remind team captains and coaches about their responsibility to ensure players and substitutes are properly equipped. (1-9-1a, 2-2, 2-3-1)

SITUATION 2: All players begin the game legally equipped. During play, the official notices A1’s helmet chin strap being worn above the chin on the mouth area. The official instructs A1 to leave the field and fix the chin strap so that it is secured on the chin. A1 leaves the field, corrects the equipment and returns to play. Later in the game, the official notices A1’s chin strap covering the mouth again. RULING: A1 serves a one-minute non-releasable penalty for use of illegal equipment. COMMENT: It is not required for officials to give players the opportunity to correct illegal equipment as the pregame equipment certification by the head coach shall act as the team warning. If equipment becomes illegal during play, officials may use discretion to allow an equipment issue to be corrected by removing the player from the field until the equipment is legal. If it becomes repetitive, a one-minute non-releasable penalty shall be assessed. (1-9-1a, 1-11, 5-6)

SITUATION 3: Within the scrimmage area, A1’s (a) glove becomes dislodged and falls off the player’s hand, or (b) helmet falls off the player’s head. RULING: In (a), play shall be suspended immediately by an official’s time-out and the player shall fix the equipment. In (b), play shall be suspended immediately by an official’s time-out and the player shall leave the field until after the next dead ball following the resumption of play. COMMENT: In both (a) and (b), if Team A is in possession or entitled to possession, Team A will be awarded possession on the restart. If the ball is loose outside the crease, the ball will be awarded using the alternative-possession rule. If the ball is inside the crease, award the ball to the defensive team. The helmet is the only piece of mandatory equipment that requires a player to leave the field. (1-9-1e, 4-24- 7, 4-24-11)