In 2013 women's NCAA lacrosse included a changed rule on defending. When their team does not possess the ball, players in their defending end of the field may run through any portion of the goal circle (8 meter circle around the goal) for as long as three seconds. Only the defensive player who is directly marking the ball carrier within a stick's length may remain in the goal circle while defending. Players that are on attack are allowed to run through the goal circle, but only in collegiate games; high school players are not allowed through the goal circle.