Section 8: Safety Considerations
Mandatory mouthguard use is required at the NCAA level. Goggles are strongly recommended given the incidence of stick-strike eye injuries. Goalkeeper full padded equipment is mandatory under Rule 3 (Players' Clothing and Equipment). Concussion protocol requires removal from play plus graduated return-to-play assessment for any actual or suspected concussion, since head/face strikes from stick or ball are primary risks in this sport. Penalty-corner safety is reinforced by the requirement that the ball stay below backboard height (460 mm) on the first shot, reducing high-velocity head-strike risk — a rule whose consistent application is reinforced by the 2026 officiating point of emphasis on penalty-corner timing described in Section 4. WBGT-based heat thresholds and lightning-detection protocols halt outdoor play when triggered. NCAA sports-medicine policy requires a certified athletic trainer at every match, with a team physician and EMT present at championship-level competition, along with AED access and an emergency action plan at every venue.