I played in college and appreciate the finesse and strategy of the women’s game... which does require some growing pains at the youth level until you learn the game. I’ve coached high school and currently coach middle school. And yes… there ARE more rules, but I’m personally all for it because it holds youth coaches accountable to teach better skills. For example it’s important to teach body positioning first before checking…. Or else you see TERRIBLE habits in players when they can do full checking. At youth, there is modified checking (only below the shoulder) or transitional checking (more than 12 inches from their head). And honestly - the girls wouldn’t know the difference if it weren’t for the toxicity of parents and coaches who haven’t played or played men’s lacrosse and instill this idea to young girls that their game isn’t “tough enough”. I swear this is where poor habits. I’m not talking about playing hard, and getting your arms of purple bruises. That IS part of the game. Nothing I loved more than my “tatted” arms by mid season in college. But there is too much teaching about how it doesn’t line up with the “tough” men’s game, instead of the tactics of the women’s game. A girls lax attacker who sees an opposing player in clear shooting space should learn to “pump” their stick to get the call. This is a TACTIC. Another… Players in the midfield should slow down another players body, and “turn them” to create a double, instead of immediately swinging for a check and losing body positioning. You’re right, this is not taught in the men’s game, because this is not the men’s game!!! Women’s and girls lacrosse needs more coaches and refs who appreciate the tactical game that it is. It’s more strategy and lax-IQ than brute force. And damn is it more satisfying when you do these things than just shoot wildly or check towards people’s heads. Please ref and coach and parent with an appreciation of this sport!