Section 8: Safety Considerations
Helmet, Mouthpiece, and Protective Equipment
NCAA men's lacrosse mandates NOCSAE-approved helmets and mouthpieces, properly fitted shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and a protective cup; goalkeepers additionally wear a NOCSAE-approved throat protector and chest protector. Helmets must remain properly fitted throughout play — a player whose helmet comes off may not continue in the play and substitution is permitted.
Head and Neck Protections
Targeting an opponent's head or neck — including blindside hits, hits with the crown of the helmet, and hits to a player in a defenseless position — is a non-releasable personal foul of 2 or 3 minutes plus potential ejection. The 2025/26 video-review framework permits review of head/neck-contact incidents.
Concussion Protocol
A player with an actual or suspected concussion is removed from play immediately and is subject to a graduated return-to-play assessment before being cleared for subsequent training and competition. NCAA medical observers and team medical staff have authority to remove a player; the return-to-play decision is independent of the on-field officials.
Heat and Hydration
NCAA championship policy uses WBGT-based thresholds for heat-related modifications and postponement; team athletic trainers are responsible for in-game hydration breaks and heat-related player welfare. Lightning detection halts outdoor activity within the standard radius of detected strikes; play resumes only after the all-clear interval has elapsed.
Stick and Equipment Safety
- Damaged sticks (cracked, gouged, missing parts) must be removed from play
- Stick checks may not target the head/neck of an opponent
- Cross-checking with the shaft (two-hand cross-check) is illegal at all levels
- Slashing (one-hand strike at an opponent with the stick) above the shoulders is a personal foul
Medical Coverage
Each NCAA-sanctioned game requires at least one certified athletic trainer on the sideline; team physicians and emergency-medical responders are required at championship-level competition. An emergency action plan covering on-field cardiac, head/neck, and orthopedic emergencies must be in effect at every venue.