How do substitutions work in women's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · Space and the circle · 3 of 7Unlimited, at any time. A player coming off leaves through the substitution area by the scorer's table, and the replacement may step on only once the player has both feet off the field. After a goal, players may come on straight away without waiting. An illegal substitution is a minor foul, and a goal scored with one does not count.
How it works
- Unlimited: "Each team may substitute an unlimited number of players at any time during the play or during a Dead Ball."
- The area: 13 m long, 6.5 m either side of the centre, by the sideline.
- One off, one on: the substitute may enter "as soon as the on-field player has exited the field and entered the Substitution Area (both feet)".
- After a goal: substitutes "may immediately enter the field" and need not wait for the players they replace.
- Illegal substitutes: an extra player, a suspended player or one not listed correctly on the score sheet.
- The penalty: a minor foul, a free position to an opponent at or near the ball.
- Attacking team: the official stops play at once.
- Defending team near its goal: the official waits for a missed shot or a change of possession.
- A goal with an illegal attacker: does not count. The opponent restarts with a free position at the centre line.
- Injury: if medical staff or a coach go on to attend a player, the player must leave and may be replaced.
- Blood: no player may stay on with an open wound or blood-soaked clothing.
The glossary has the substitution area and the roster. Its entries are written for sixes.
Tricky cases
A substitute runs on before the player coming off reaches the area. What happens?
That is an illegal substitution, a minor foul.
Both teams make illegal substitutions at the same moment. Who gets the ball?
Alternate possession.
A defending team's extra player is spotted while the other team is attacking its goal. Is play stopped at once?
Not in its defensive area. The official waits for a missed shot or a change of possession, then removes the player.
Does a goal count if the scoring team had an extra player on?
No. The goal does not count and the other team restarts at the centre line.
Why the rule exists
Free substitution lets teams rotate players in a running game. Requiring one off before one on keeps the numbers right without stopping play. The illegal-substitute rule takes away any goal that came from an extra player.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| During play | Through the area, one off before one on | WL Women Rule 14.A.3 |
| After a goal | Substitutes may enter at once | WL Women Rule 14.A.2 |
| Illegal substitution | Minor foul | WL Women Rule 14.B.1 |
| Men's field | Through the gate, also any time | WL Men Rule 46 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 1.A.12, 11.B.7 and 14. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).