Charlotte North shot a lacrosse ball 92 miles an hour during the skills challenge at the Premier Lacrosse League All-Star game in Louisville earlier in July. 92 miles an hour, that’s legit for any level. North is the Caitlyn Clark of lacrosse, a trailblazer, a bona fide star and the first female to eclipse 90 mph. I would anticipate that within the next five years that threshold will become commonplace. The next generation may even approach 100 miles per hour. North is the outlier now, undoubtedly, she will have company in the 90 mph club in short time.
The 90 plus radar clocking is noteworthy because I’m concerned about the health and safety of field players who are potentially innocent targets from high velocity shots and cringe at the thought of a player (teammate or opposing defender) being pegged by 92 mile an hour fastball to the face, chest, head or neck area. A shot could easily ricochet off the pipe. It’s worth mentioning that Charlotte has shown expert discretion in her career.
With excessive velocity comes responsibility. Obviously, women’s players do not wear helmets other than the goalie. Men’s goalies have been besieged by concussions. Goalie helmets need to be upgraded, a story for another day. Eye protection is the only armor in the women’s game. This extreme velocity combined with no protection is a ticking time bomb.
I get the feeling that the rules of the game have not kept up with the athletic excellence. The rules were not designed to be played with lacrosse sticks with sizeable pockets and players who can shoot the ball in the 90 mile an hour range. What looks like innovative stick design has greatly shifted the balance of power between ball carrier and defender. When the ball doesn’t come out of the pocket, defenders get more physical. Ball retention changes the way defense is played. Just plug in some YouTube videos of women’s lacrosse from 1990, 2000, 2010 and 2024. The metamorphosis is undeniable.
The women’s rules, to their credit, are built to prevent step-down shots with dangerous shots and shooting space calls – but the capacity of modern day elite shooters far exceeds what the rule makers ever thought possible. The game is evolving, the rules need to keep pace. Behind-the-back and no look shots, trend on Twitter, but can be dangerous with little regard for defensive posture.
The offensive area is congested with 14 field players around the arc. We are seeing more zone defensive schemes that further clog the field. Rule makers would be shrewd to scale it back to a 6 on 6 in half-field sets. Create more space and less contact. Collisions are escalating on a yearly basis. Vicious hammer cross-checks to the shoulders, ribs, upper arms and hips have become an every possession occurrence. Any thrust should be called. Forceful cross-checking must be eradicated. Take a look at the bruises. Players are compelled to wear pads on their upper arms and ribs.
The offensive counterpart to cross-checking has become flopping, the embellishment of contact between ball carrier and defender. Flopping is rampant. It’s actually a penalty that’s not being called often. Too many players end up on the ground, wriggling in discomfort like a European soccer diva.
Women’s field lacrosse is on a trajectory to become men’s lacrosse. Full pads. Maybe that’s the answer. Women’s college hockey is in a good place. Women’s box lacrosse is full pads with modified contact. Perhaps helmets and pads are inevitable.
Women’s lacrosse has never been more difficult to officiate. It’s part women’s basketball and part men’s lacrosse. I do not envy officials who make their living in this gray area. For a variety of reasons, the rules must continue to evolve. Ensuring Safety is most critical to the games health. Finding the sweet spot between effective rules, safety and style of play is a tricky waltz.
Athletes Unlimited Pro Women’s Lacrosse 2024 is Underway
You can watch the Athletes Unlimited pro women in action this week: Thursday July 25 5pm on ESPNU and Sunday July 28 at noon on ESPN2 live from USA Lacrosse Headquarters in Sparks, MD. Four weeks of games culminating on August 11 with Joe Beninati and Courtney Martinez Connor on the call. Keep in mind AU rules are different from high school and college.
