The Federation of International Lacrosse General Assembly approved Tuesday three major rule changes to the international women’s game – 10 players per team, four 15-minute quarters and self-starts. All rules will be implemented immediately. 

“We are looking to harmonize the sport between men and women, and not altering the traditional styles of play, as we continue to identify ways to increase fan engagement and following of the sport,” said FIL President Sue Redfern. “We are pleased with the adoption of these rules which shall increase the speed of the game and increase the safety of athletes.”

The rules come after several trial runs over the past year in various combinations, including the 2017 IWGA World Games in Wroclaw, Poland, where the U.S. women’s national team won gold in a 10-on-10 format. They were also in use at past events in the United Kingdom, such as Home Internationals, Regionals and Women’s Super League. 

Participating players were surveyed after competition and 70 percent of respondents supported the implementation of 10 players per side. 

At the World Games, Team USA fielded two attackers, two defenders, five midfielders and one goalie. Two stayed behind the restraining lines for offensive and defensive sets. 

“It may not be comfortable, but we’re totally game for this opportunity,” said U.S. defender Megan Douty ahead of the World Games, who also ran midfield during the event.

“We had several players getting some midfield runs that we are not used to seeing on both ends of the field,” added attacker Alyssa Murray after Team USA’s historic World Games opener against Poland. “I was so impressed by all of my teammates who took on this challenge of playing out of their comfort zone and doing it with complete ease and confidence.”

The rule changes were a part of new long-term strategic plan set forth by the FIL with CEO Jim Scherr providing details on the sport’s vision, including three priorities – building relationships to successfully present the case of lacrosse to the International Olympic Committee, building the brand, popularity, appeal and growth of the sport globally and increasing the core competencies of the FIL, continental and national federations and management to support the effort. 

“There is a lot of work ahead,” Scherr said. “Lacrosse is an incredible sport that is growing quickly around the world that has values consistent with the values of the Olympic movement and would make a positive addition to the Olympic program. As the international federation, we will continue to promote the brand of lacrosse globally and increase the visibility and audience for the sport.”

Future women’s events to employ these new rules include the 2019 Women’s Under-19 World Championships in Peterborough, Ontario, the 2019 European Championships in Tel Aviv, Israel, and the 2021 Women’s World Cup in Towson, Md. The 2018 European Under-20 Championships this August will serve as the final pilot event to finalize rule structure. 

In all, the FIL adopted five rule changes Tuesday, which also included no over-and-back in men’s lacrosse, plus sudden death overtime periods in four-minute intervals. Future FIL world events will be limited to 30 teams, using a qualifying system, as already announced for the 2022 FIL Men's World Championship, hosted by Canada.

For full details, read the FIL’s press release here.