BALTIMORE � The US Lacrosse Women's Division Board of Governors voted on Saturday to implement the recommendation of the Rules Committee to bring hard boundaries to women's lacrosse beginning with the 2006 season. Although this change goes into effect for the 2006 season, it is expected that many fall tournaments will be played using the new rule.

Women's lacrosse has traditionally been played with no formal boundaries. Umpires would whistle for a stoppage of play and possibly call a foul when the action moved too far beyond the "guidelines," but passes that were thrown out of bounds would be awarded to the team closest to the ball.

In a related note, although there are now hard boundaries, there is still flexibility in the size of the playing area. The maximum playing area remains at 140 x 70 yards and the minimum playing area remains at 110 x 60 yards. The goals shall be placed no more than 100 yards and no less than 90 yards apart. There must be a minimum of 10 yards and a maximum of 20 yards of space behind each goal line to the end line.

In other changes, the Rules Committee said there will be an emphasis on eliminating crosse to body contact and body to crosse contact. Goalies are also now required to wear padded gloves.

There were several other rules clarifications voted on and they will be incorporated into the 2006 US Lacrosse Women's Rulebook, which will be available later this fall.