NFHS 2025 Rule Changes 

Major NFHS Rule Changes 2025

1-9-1a — Clarifies chin strap is to be worn on the chin, not under.

4-3-1 —  Returned to previous language to ensure clarity related to exceptions
  for when face offs do and don’t take place.

4-16 —  Rewritten for clarity. A player may check an opponent’s cross with their
  own crosse when the opponent:  a) has possession of the ball, b) is within
  5 yards of a loose ball, or c) is within 5-yards of a ball in flight.

4-22-4 —  Clarifies that on every restart near the substitution area, the ball must be
   moved into the field of play 5 yards.

4-24-7 —  Clarifies that a whistle shall be blown on the loss of any mandatory equipment
  in the scrimmage area.

5-4-5 —  Distinguishes intentional versus unintentional checks involving the head or neck.      A 1-, 2-, or 3-minute non-releasable penalty are the options, including ejection.

5-4-7 —  Provides an editorial change to the situation changing “fight” to “flight.”

1-9-1a — Clarifies chin strap is to be worn on the chin, not under.

4-3-1 —  Returned to previous language to ensure clarity related to exceptions
  for when face offs do and don’t take place.

4-16 —  Rewritten for clarity. A player may check an opponent’s cross with their
  own crosse when the opponent:  a) has possession of the ball, b) is within
  5 yards of a loose ball, or c) is within 5-yards of a ball in flight.

4-22-4 —  Clarifies that on every restart near the substitution area, the ball must be
   moved into the field of play 5 yards.

4-24-7 —  Clarifies that a whistle shall be blown on the loss of any mandatory equipment
  in the scrimmage area.

5-4-5 —  Distinguishes intentional versus unintentional checks involving the head or neck.      A 1-, 2-, or 3-minute non-releasable penalty are the options, including ejection.

5-4-7 —  Provides an editorial change to the situation changing “fight” to “flight.”

2025 Boys Lacrosse Points of Emphasis

Eye Shade — 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.

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.

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 2- or 3-minute
non-releasable foul at the official’s discretion.