NEW YORK – The Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) is asking its member nations to experiment with a new discipline and related set of playing rules for the sport of lacrosse.

The new discipline and draft playing rules (denoted below) have been developed by the FIL Blue Skies Working Group, which is responsible for examining innovative ways to best position the sport of lacrosse for continued growth in the 21st century, including the long-term ambition of returning lacrosse to the Olympic Games.

Among the most notable variations in the trial rules (men and women) are a 6-on-6 format, a smaller field (70 x 36 meters), shorter games (four 8-minute periods of running clock), a 45-second shot clock, smaller roster sizes (10 per team), no backup rule for shots (possession changes based on team that touches the ball last) and draws only at the beginning of each period and overtime (with 5 seconds after each goal for the goalie to put the ball in play.)

“The development of new, complementary disciplines of lacrosse is integral to the achievement of the FIL's strategic plan,” said Steve Stenersen, vice president of the FIL and chair of the Blue Skies Working Group, in a press release issued Wednesday.

The Blue Skies Working Group commenced work on a new discipline of the sport in September, consulting with players, coaches and officials and hosting a series of meetings and conference calls. Some U.S. national team exhibitions at the Team USA Fall Classic in October and the IWLCA Presidents Cup in November were played under FIL trial rules. In January, the FIL Board of Directors endorsed the direction of the Blue Skies Working Group and recommended that FIL members be asked to experiment with the new discipline and playing rules.

Earlier this month, FIL members received the draft playing rules and have been asked to trial the new discipline, and provide feedback, during the next two months. The Blue Skies Working Group intends to present a final proposal for approval at the FIL General Assembly Aug. 12-13 in Peterborough, Ontario. 

“Our Blue Skies Working Group has had the unique opportunity to reimagine the sport based on the goals of fueling continued international growth, increasing spectator appeal and maximizing media exposure,” Stenersen said in the press release. “The rule drafts will continue to be refined based on feedback from our member nations, and we look forward to presenting final recommendations at the General Assembly in August.”

Key Considerations
(alphabetical order)

• Competition equity

• Degree of gender consistency

• Game duration

• Linear and digital media appeal

• Pace of play

• Player appeal

• Rule simplicity

• Spectator appeal

• Sport growth

• Sport integrity

• Team size

• Tournament duration

Overarching Principles

Men’s Discipline

• Eliminate violent collision

• Maintain current protective equipment

• Eliminate long sticks

• Maintain other current stick specifications

• Goalie stick specifications identical between disciplines

Women’s Discipline

• Maintain current restrictions on body contact and stick checking

• Maintain current protective equipment and require eyewear for field players

• Maintain current stick specifications

• Goalie stick specifications identical between disciplines

Summary of Trial Rule Recommendations

• Field size – 70 meters x 36 meters

• Field markings – perimeter markings, goal circles/creases, goal line, midline, draw circle, substitution and player boxes

• Goals – maintain current specifications

• Game structure – four 8-minute periods: running clock; 5-minute halftime and 2 minutes between quarters

• Time clock stops for a timeout, end of a quarter, injury, or during a dead ball within the last two minutes of the fourth quarter

• Shot clock – 45 seconds; resets on every possession change

• Game and shot clocks stop for a timeout, injury, or during a dead ball within the last two minutes of the fourth quarter; resets following the end of a quarter

• Two 30-second timeouts for each team per half

• Squad size – 10; 6 + 4 subs (allow up to two alternates in the case of competition-ending injury TBD)

• On-field players – 6 on 6; goalie and five field players on the field at one time

• On field staff – two coaches and one medical

• Substitutions – on the fly

• Offside – both teams must hold back two players behind the midline

• Over-and-back – prohibited

• Ball out-of-bounds – when the ball goes out of bounds for any reason, including a shot, it is awarded to the team that did not touch it last

• Goals – if a player is fouled in the act of shooting, the goal will count

• After a goal – goalies have 5-seconds to put the ball in play be either passing it or running it out of the goal circle

• All defending players can run through the crease but cannot act as a goalie

• Draws – at start of each period and OT

• OT – sudden victory

• Officiating – 2 officials per game

• Penalties – major/minor/technical fouls and related mechanics as close as possible between disciplines

• Pre- and post-game officiating mechanics identical across disciplines