Is there a shot clock in women's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 7Yes,
How it works
- The start: "Rule 24 will be implemented in World Lacrosse Women's Field Lacrosse events effective January 1, 2027."
- Not used: where no shot clock is used, Rule 24 does not apply.
- 80 seconds: from gaining possession.
- Expired: "a change of Possession will be awarded to the opposing team. This is not a foul."
- A valid shot: taken with the shooter's stick head above the goal line extended, hitting a post, the crossbar or the goalkeeper or equipment in the circle.
- Other resets: a change of possession, a warning card, a defensive injury or delay by the team without the ball.
- No reset: a shot from below the goal line extended, and an out-of-bounds with no change of possession.
- Paused: when the game clock stops, for a defensive foul in its own advantage flag area, in timeouts and while the ball is out of bounds.
- No carry-over: time left at the end of a quarter does not carry into the next.
- A goal still counts: from any shot that crosses the line before the clock expires, valid or not.
- No goal: after the clock has expired.
The glossary has the shot clock, the goal line extended and the shot on goal. Its entries are written for sixes.
Tricky cases
A shot from behind the goal hits the post. Does the clock reset?
No. A shot taken from below the goal line extended does not reset it.
The defence knocks the ball out of bounds without gaining it. Does the attack get a new 80 seconds?
No. There is no change of possession, so the clock does not reset.
A player shoots with one second left and scores after the horn. Goal?
No. Once the shot clock has expired, a goal is not scored.
Does the women's shot clock carry over to the next quarter with an extra player, as in the men's game?
No. Time left at the end of a quarter does not carry over.
Why the rule exists
Without a shot clock a team ahead could keep the ball as long as it liked. The 80-second clock matches the men's game. The book delays it to 2027 so that events can buy the clocks and so that rules do not change during the qualifiers for the 2026 World Championship.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women's field | 80 seconds, from 2027 | WL Women Rule 24.A.1; 24.A.2 |
| Men's field | 80 seconds, over half-way by 60, from 2026 | WL Men Rule 43 |
| Carry-over | None in the women's game | WL Women Rule 24.A.4.b |
| Sixes | 30 seconds | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rule 24. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).