Indiana High School Women's Lacrosse Umpiring

The 2008 Indiana High School Women's Lacrosse season is quickly approaching and new umpires are in need as they are every year. Training for new umpires is starting early this year. The first training session for new and returning umpires is October 21st 12:30pm - 2:00pm at Park Tudor High School. There will be on field practice on November 4th at Park Tudor.

Each team needs to try and provide a new umpire candidate for the upcoming 2008 season. If you have any questions you can contact Beth Nice at 317 490-6784.

New Rules in 2008 for Women's Lacrosse

There have been several rules changes in the last few years in women's lacrosse. The first major rules change began two years ago with the institution of boundary lines around the field. After two years of working with that change a major new rules change is coming in 2008.

While goal scoring is not a problem in women's lacrosse we are about to see an increase in scoring due to the next major rules change. In 2008 an offensive players stick may now enter the crease on the follow through of a shot. This will make for many more scoring opportunities and many more point blank shots on goalies. Not only will it be more difficult for goalies but there will be an increased amount of pressure for defenders who used the crease as an integral part of low defense. While defending the crease a defender could use the goal circle almost as a double team. That will not be the case in 2008 and we will see and increase in physical defense as the defender will be required to jam or shove a player away from the goal as they roll while trying to score.

I am in favor of all of the recent rules changes but I am also concerned that requirement of just two umpires per game will also eventually go by the wayside in favor of three umpires. More contact and aggression will possibly bring a requirement of a third umpire to maintain the safety of players. Hopefully 2008 will see a growth in the umpiring rank in 2008 for Indiana lacrosse.