Over the years, changes to the men's and women's lacrosse rules have been met with much trepidation. Fortunately, the rules are seeing fewer and fewer changes in both the men's and women's games due to the diligence of officials and committee members to call for procedural improvements primarily in cases where a higher degree of safety is of concern.

"We have received complaints about too many changes in years past," says Pat Dillon, Secretary-Rules Editor for the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee and Member of the Women's U.S. Lacrosse Rules Committee. "There are not as many changes now because of that, but we are trying to put an emphasis on the umpire's use of cards to control player behavior. We're upgrading the penalty to generate appropriate behavior."

The women's rules for 2009 are seeing greater changes than their male counterpart at every level of play. The NCAA rules pertain to the collegiate level whereas the remaining levels are governed by U.S. Lacrosse. The area in the women's game which is expected to make the highest impact is in misconduct and suspension. Previously, a player who had received a yellow card was required to exit the field for three minutes of elapsed time, and a substitution was made during the three-minute period. Now, the carded player is required to exit and no substitution will take place. This rule has been adopted by both the NCAA and U.S. Lacrosse, making women's penalty administration a primary focus for youth through collegiate level players.

"The new carding rule is to clean up the game," says Coach Patty Kloidt, Women's Head Lacrosse Coach at Hamilton College . "Lacrosse can be physical," she adds, "and having a player sit out for three minutes isn't penalty enough. So, the rules committee has said you're going to play a person down for three minutes to make it tougher."

In previous years, misconduct of a player resulting in a red card meant immediate ejection from that game only. Now, beginning in 2009, any player or coach-at every level of play-who has received a red card will be immediately ejected and prohibited from participating in the team's next game. The next game suspension will carry over to the following season if the ejection occurs during the last game.

At the college level, several policies have been adopted concerning stick checks. Random checks will help ensure that pocket size is uniform and legal. A requirement of umpires to perform a minimum of two stick checks per half has also been implemented. Lastly, each team may now request two stick check requests and a coach may request a stick check.

Both the NCAA and U.S. Lacrosse have accepted changes under Rule 2 of the Rule Book regarding uniforms and equipment that now permit slightly textured and bright orange balls to be permitted.

The Women's Lacrosse Rules Committee issued a Points of Emphasis for the 2009 season urging players, officials and coaches to concentrate on particular areas of the existing rules. These areas include dangerous checks and slashing, use of cards and stick to body/body to stick contact.

Concerning men's lacrosse for 2009, one rule adjustment the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules Committee made is regarding a player who loses a piece of equipment. An example cited by the committee is a player who loses a shoe as he shoots and scores. The new rule still disallows the goal, but now the offensive team would remain in possession of the ball.

The committee also approved two points of emphasis for the men's game in the upcoming season. These include sportsmanship issues, particularly during warm-ups, and protection of the head and neck.