Kayla Wood’s Perspective On AU Rules

Mikaela Garcia — August 21, 2021

Earlier this summer, Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse announced it would be playing under new rules for their inaugural season. Eight minute quarters, 10 v 10 gameplay, and a 60 second shot clock were just some of the new rules.

One player who has thrived in this format of lacrosse is defender Kayla Wood. She has been one of the top players in the league this summer and likes the unique rules.

“It just makes the game more dynamic… You’re able to just kind of let people play and just freelance and it’s given people the ability to really show their craft,” said Wood.

Wood was impacted most by new defensive rules, including the elimination of shooting space. 

“In the beginning, we had to remind each other that we can’t freeze, that we had to keep playing through it… If you freeze, that gives the attacker a chance to get a step over you,” said Wood. 

She believes not having shooting space became an advantage for defenders once they got used to it. However, she also thinks it helps shooters look for different ways to score goals. 

“I think attack-wise, it’s really showing everyone’s great IQ, everyone’s awesome creativity and their talents,” said Wood.

Overall, she believes the rule changes have allowed the players to continue to learn from one another and create stronger bonds within the professional women’s lacrosse community.

Wood hopes the league helps pave the way for younger girls to continue their lacrosse dreams after college and to become full-time lacrosse athletes one day. 

“I think that it provides another goal for the younger girls to know that college isn’t just it, that they can still strive for more,” said Wood.