NCAA – NFHS
Rule Differences
Equipment
Crosse head max width
• 6 ½”
Tape
• No tape on head if used • 6” contrasting on shaft if
for faceoff
used for faceoff
• No tape on head.
Shooting Strings
• Limited to 2” hanging
• 4” from top (2016)
Gloves
• 6”
• Limited to 2” hanging
• 4” from top
• All players must have
same color
Eye Shade
• One solid stroke. No
words.
• No mention
Jewelry
• Prohibited unless
religious or medical and
taped.
• Permitted unless
deemed dangerous
Tinted Eye Shield
• Not permitted.
• Allowed only for
documented medical
condition
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Penalties
USC
• 2nd NR USC =
Expulsion & 3 minutes
• 2nd USC = Usual penalty,
no expulsion
Checks to the head or
neck
• Min 2 min NR
• Min 1 min NR
Checking a defenseless
player
• Min 2 min NR
• Could be 1 to 3 min
Unnecessary Roughness
Loose ball personal foul
• Immediate whistle & flag • Immediate whistle & flag
if no flag already down.
FDSW if there is
already a flag down &
both fouls on defense.
End of Flag Down
• Ball leaves attack area
• Ball touches the ground
(not on a shot)
• A shot is completed
• Defense gains
possession
• Play continues until
usual condition for
stopping play or defense
gains possession.
3
Play of Game
Mercy Rule
• Running time if 12 goal • None
lead in 2nd half. Starts on
next whistle.
Faceoff violation
• Restart at Center X
• Restart at spot of ball
• 3rd violation in 1 half is
30 second penalty
Faceoff – pinch & pop
• Ball must come out of
back of crosse cleanly
• Must move ball from
back of crosse within 1
step.
Faceoff mechanics
• Down, Set, Whistle
• 2 officials, put players
down, place ball & say
set, back out & whistle
Goalie return to crease
• Always gets 5 seconds
to return
• None
Number of Players
• Game cannot continue
if less than 7 players
• No mention
4
Play of Game
Restarts
• Everyone must be 5
yards away
• Defense can restart in
box
• Foul by B after ball
crosses endline is not
moved OOB.
• Defense must establish
5 yards at some point
• Defense can restart in
box. Offense must move
ball out of box.
Time Outs
• Permitted
• Player in possession
must be below
restraining line
• No timeout for team
not entitled to
possession if dead ball in
field of play.
Goal Counted
• Must cross goalline
before expiration of
time.
• Must be released before
expiration of time.
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Play of Game
Clearing
• 20 seconds to midfield
• 10 seconds to attack
area
• 30 seconds
Flag Down & pass by
offense enters own goal
• No Goal
• Goal
Challenging the application
of a rule
• Permitted. If appeal is
• No mention. Coach can
denied, coach is charged
speak to officials only
a timeout or technical
during halftime.
Ball crossing midfield
• Get-It-In / Keep-It-In if
intentional once in
attack area.
• Turnover unless
touched by defense or a
shot.
6
Technical Fouls
Illegal Procedure
• Taking a dive or feigning
a slash in order to
deceive an official
Player without equipment
in scrimmage area
• Stop play. Award ball to
team in possession or
AP if loose.
Stalling
• Get-It-In / Keep-It-In
• 30 second shot clock
• Automatic in last 2
• Resets to 10 if offensive
minutes
timeout
• Can be used with a man • Resets to 30 if defensive
down.
timeout or foul
• Put on in increments of
10 on the clock.
• Not used if teams
uneven
• Stop play. Technical foul
if ball is loose or by
defense.
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