Men’s rule changes: 2025-2027
The England Lacrosse National Lacrosse Committee (NLC) has released the revised Men’s Field Lacrosse Rules for the 2025/26 season.
These updates explain the differences between the England Lacrosse (EL) rules and the World Lacrosse (WL) rules.
Full announcement from England Lacrosse
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Rule 34.11 – Fouls during a centre face-off
Players no longer have to return to their original positions after a foul at a centre face-off.
This reduces delays and simplifies restarts.
Rule 37.2 – Free play restart
Free play (except when the ball goes out on the endline) cannot restart within 20 yards (18 m) of the opponent’s goal.
However, restarts within 20 yards (18 m) of a team’s own goal are now allowed — goalkeepers no longer need to move laterally away to restart play.
Rule 38.3 – Shot on goal
A shot on goal is defined as a player intentionally throwing the ball at goal from in front of and above the Goal Line Extended (GLE).
Kicked balls may still result in goals.
However, if a kicked ball goes out of bounds, it is not classed as a shot for possession purposes.
Rule 49.3 – Goalkeeper count
The goalkeeper now has 5 seconds (increased from 4) to clear the ball from the crease.
The count continues even if the ball becomes loose inside the crease.
Rule 49.5 – Return of ball to the goal crease area
Once the ball leaves the crease, the defending team cannot return it there until it has been possessed by an opponent.
If the ball is deflected back into the crease by an opponent, this is not a foul.
The goalkeeper can no longer throw the ball back into the rear of the goal once it has left the crease.
Rule 66 – Warding
A new, clearly defined warding rule has been added:
A player may protect their stick with their hand, arm, or body when an opponent attempts to check it.
However, they must not use these parts to hold, push, or control the opponent’s stick or body.
This brings clarity to a rule that was previously only implied under “Holding”.
Rule 67 – Minor conduct foul
A new minor foul for unsporting behaviour, signalled by the referee as an outstretched arm to the side with a closed fist.
Officials may apply either a minor conduct foul or an unsportsmanlike conduct major foul, depending on the severity.
Updated terminology
Technical fouls are now called minor fouls.
The referee’s signal for these fouls remains unchanged.
Personal fouls are now called major fouls.
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Rule 29.2 – Stopping the clock after a goal or penalty
Not adopted domestically.
In England, the clock will continue to stop only:
in the final 30 seconds of Q1–Q3, and
the final 2 minutes of Q4 (as per current rules).
Rule 43 – Shot clock
The World Lacrosse shot clock will not be used in domestic English play.
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Rule 1 - Dimensions
Playing area: 91.4 m–100 m (100–109 yds) long × 50 m–60 m (55–66 yds) wide.
Rule 5 - The goal areas
Goal area line: 22 m (24.1 yds) from each goal line.
Rule 10.1 - Bench area
Rule 11.1 - Coached walk
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These are mostly clarifications/rewordings of existing rules and did not require a vote from NGBs at the General Assembly.
Penalty release during a face-off
Players who have completed their penalty time may legally enter the field before or during a face-off.
If a player from the bench wishes to occupy a vacant wing area, they may attempt to reach it before the face-off whistle.
Minor (Technical) fouls
Rule 51 clarifies that minor fouls are less serious infractions.
Officials may allow play to continue if enforcing the foul would unfairly benefit the offending team or disadvantage the other team.
Other clarifications:
Metric units are now listed before imperial.
Rule 24.1 – Bench Manager role updated
Rule 32 – Defaulted game results addressed in event bylaws
Rule 83.1 – New heading: “Play-on”
Rule 56 – “Kicking an opponent’s stick” merged into Illegal Procedure
Rule 65 – “Offside” corrected for live-ball situations
Rule 67 – “Lateness” also moved into Illegal Procedure
Additional guidance on over and back and free play restarts.
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BUCS will adopt the 2025–2027 World Lacrosse Rules with the following exceptions:
LAC 5 – Shot clock
The World Lacrosse shot clock will not apply.
Instead, the World Lacrosse stalling rule (Rule 62) will be used.
LAC 8 – Duration of play
All games (except National Championship and National Trophy finals) will use running clocks instead of stopping clocks.
LAC 11 – Uncontested restart option
If one team leads by 8 or more goals, the losing team may opt for an uncontested restart at halfway after each goal until the margin drops below 8.
