In 2025, New York state became the first high school sports association to use shot clocks in boys and girls lacrosse. That experiment paved the way for other states to follow suit. During its boys lacrosse rules committee meeting in July, the National Federation of High Schools approved a 70-second shot clock that can be adopted by all states starting in spring 2027. Similarly, the girls game's 90-second timer was approved for all states' use. Shot clocks, already in place for several years at the collegiate level, were implemented in an attempt to increase action and pace of play. "New York state has spearheaded this and we're happy to see it in the rule book," Jim Amen, New York state's boys lacrosse chairman, said in an email. In the boys version passed by the NFHS, the possessing team has 20 seconds to cross the midline before the 70-second clock begins. The possessing team must be in the offensive half once the shot clock reaches 60 seconds, or possession will be awarded to the other team. This iteration allows the possessing team to double-back over the midline. That's a slight change from New York state's original version of the rule, which was in place during the 2025 season. That rendition of the rule allowed for 20 seconds to cross the midline, but then required an offensive touch in the box within 10 seconds. A 60-second shot clock followed the first touch in the box. Section V coaches and officials were largely positive after the shot clock experiment was implemented two seasons ago. However, the 10-second touch requirement was widely panned. One longtime official called that portion of the rule "ridiculous." The version approved by the NFHS resembles the adjusted shot clock rule that New York state used in 2026, which eased the burden on officials. There is no discernible difference between the NFHS girls lacrosse shot clock rule and what was used in New York state the past two seasons. "With overwhelming state association support for state adoption, the (NFHS rules committee) felt this was the next step in the evolution of the game to support the development of student-athletes," Barb Martinichio, chair of the girls lacrosse rules committee, said in a press release. While the shot clocks take center stage, several other notable rule changes were approved in July. That includes:
Starting in 2029, all game balls in boys lacrosse must be fluorescent green or yellow. A goal will be disallowed in boys lacrosse if the head of the player's cross breaks or comes off while taking a shot. In girls lacrosse, home teams must wear white uniforms beginning in the 2031 season. Girls lacrosse players cannot switch sticks in the field of play during live action. They can receive a new stick at the bench area, only after properly entering and exiting the substitution zone.
Justin Ritzel is a sports reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on Section V athletics and high school trends. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: A New York experiment could speed up lacrosse games nationwide