---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: US Lacrosse <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sep 19, 2005 5:07 PM
Subject: WOMEN'S LACROSSE RULE CHANGES


  *RULE CHANGE BRINGS HARD BOUNDARIES TO WOMEN'S LACROSSE*

* *

*BALTIMORE* — The US Lacrosse Women's Division Board of Governors voted on
Saturday to implement the recommendation of the Rules Committee to bring
hard boundaries to women's lacrosse beginning with the 2006 season. Although
this change goes into effect for the 2006 season, it is expected that many
fall tournaments will be played using the new rule.

 Women's lacrosse has traditionally been played with no formal boundaries.
Umpires would whistle for a stoppage of play and possibly call a foul when
the action moved too far beyond the "guidelines," but passes that were
thrown out of bounds would be awarded to the team closest to the ball.

 In a related note, although there are now hard boundaries, there is still
flexibility in the size of the playing area. The maximum playing area
remains at 140 x 70 yards and the minimum playing area remains at 110 x 60
yards. The goals shall be placed no more than 100 yards and no less than 90
yards apart. There must be a minimum of 10 yards and a maximum of 20 yards
of space behind each goal line to the end line.

 In other changes, the Rules Committee said there will be an emphasis on
eliminating crosse to body contact and body to crosse contact. Goalies are
also now required to wear padded gloves.

 There were several other rules clarifications voted on and they will be
incorporated into the 2006 US Lacrosse Women's Rulebook, which will be
available later this fall.

 US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the national governing
body for men's and women's lacrosse.