PARENT'S GUIDE TO LACROSSE
The Game
The object of the game is to advance the ball into the opposing team's territory and shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The ball is kept in play by being thrown, carried or hit by the stick, rolled or kicked by one or more players in any direction, as long as the ball stays in the field of play. A team consists of 10 players; 1 goalie, 3 defensemen, 3 midfielders and 3 attackmen. Each team must keep at least 4 players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of the field and 3 players in its offensive zone. The 3 middies are free to roam the entire field. The game has four quarters, plus a halftime. Teams change ends between quarters. Games are 48 minutes long with 12 minute quarters and a 10 minute halftime. Each team is permitted 4 timeouts, with a maximum of two in a half of play, and one additional timeout per each overtime period. The game starts at the center of the field with a face-off. Face-offs are also used to start each quarter and to resume play after each goal. The ball is placed on the ground and the two players facing off, position their sticks back to back on either side of the ball, without touching the ball. The play starts when the official blows the whistle and face-off players and other wing midfield players try to control the ball. Players attempt to gain control of the ball by scooping or catching it with a stick or by dislodging the ball from an opponent's stick by checking. Checking involves poking, slapping or hitting an opponent's stick and gloved hand. Players may also attempt to gain possession of the ball by controlled body checks above the waist and below the shoulders from the front or side (not from behind). Attacking players may never enter the area immediately around an opponent's goal, known as the crease. Nor may a player physically touch the goalie while the goalie is in the crease. Should the goalie gain possession of the ball, opposing players may try to block the goalie's outlet pass (the clear) by standing in the goalie's line of sight and waving sticks. Opposing players may also reach into the crease to try to retrieve loose or ground balls, but may not interfere with the goalie.Field Positions
ATTACK: The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. He generally restricts his play to the offensive end.
MIDFIELD: The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field playing both offense and defense.
DEFENSE: The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. He generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field. Defensemen carry a longer stick. There can be a maximum of four long sticks on the field at any one time (not including the goalie).
GOALIE: The goalie's responsibility is to stop the opposing team from scoring.
The Field
The game is played on a rectangular field measuring 110 yards long by 53-1/3 to 60 yards wide. The field is marked at 55 yards from each end line with a center line and halfway across this centerline with an (X) to indicate the face-off zone.
• Goal Area – also known as the "offensive box." It is the area inside the restraining lines at each end of the field. The lines parallel to the sidelines are 10 yards in from the sidelines and are dashed to avoid confusion with the sidelines.
• "The Penalty Box" Area - is located directly in front of the officials' table and is used as a holding area for players to wait out their penalties. Penalized players must remain in the box, down on one knee. It is also the access area for substitute players entering and exiting the field.
Rules & Regulations
The game of lacrosse is a contact sport. Rules have been established which are intended to protect the safety of the players and maintain control over the game. Following is a brief summary of some of the major, common rule violations.
PERSONAL FOULS are infractions of a serious nature, which carry suspension from the game for periods ranging from a minute to three minutes, depending on the severity and intent of the infraction. The penalty's length is usually one minute but can be up to three minutes at the discretion of the officials.
Unnecessary Roughness occurs when a player uses unnecessary and deliberately violent contact on an opposing player or is excessively violent when holding or pushing.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct occurs when a person who represents a team attempts to argue with or influence the decision of a game official, using threatening, profane, abusive, or obscene language or gestures during the game; or baits, taunts or acts in a manner considered unsportsmanlike by a game official.
Illegal Crosse is the use of a crosse which does not conform to rules and standards.
Illegal Gloves are gloves which do not conform to required standards or when the glove's fingers and/or palms have been altered or removed.
TECHNICAL FOULS are less serious than personal fouls and are subject to a 30 second suspension from play of the offending player (when the opponent is in possession of the ball) or loss of possession.
Screening (illegal pick) occurs when an offensive player moves into or makes contact with a defender with the purpose of blocking the defensive player from the opponent being played.
Illegal Procedure is a term that includes touching of the ball by a player other than the goalie, playing in the game without a stick, use of illegal equipment, avoidable lateness of the team, placing a stick in an opponent's face, entering the game prior to expiration of a penalty, delay of game, more than 10 men on the field, and illegal playing out of bounds.
Interference occurs when one player interferes with the free movement of an opponent. Exceptions: when opponent has the ball and a player is within five feet of opponent, or the ball is loose or on the fly, and both players are within five feet of the ball.
Pushing is when a player pushes, thrusts, or shoves an opponent from behind. Pushing is permitted from the front and sides when an opponent has possession of the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.