Field Labels Center: The line in the center of the field used to mark where the draw is held at the beginning of a game and after every goal. Center Circle: A circle surrounding the center on which two players from each team are allowed to position themselves around while the draw is being set. Players (other than those taking the draw) cannot enter the circle until the whistle for the draw is blown. Restraining Line: This line requires that four players from each team must always hold in order to allow for a typical offensive/defensive 7v7.Four players must still hold when a team is man down, causing the man down to be on the attacking (6v7) or defensive (7v6) end. 8-Meter Arc: This is an arc that designates the area in which defenders must be within a sticks-length of their attacker. Defensive fouls committed within the arc will result in stopped play and an attacker ‘Free Position Shot (FPS)’ from the closest hash mark. Hash Marks: There are five hash marks along the 8 meter arc, and two floating hash marks to the side of the goal. FPS are taken at the hash mark closest to where the foul was committed, all teammates and defenders are moved outside of the 8 meter arc closest to where they were when the foul was committed. The player who committed the foul is moved 4 meters behind the player taking the FPS on the 12 meter arc. The shooter will have 4 meters of space around her at the start of the shot. All players can redefend the shooter once the whistle is blown. 12-Meter Arc: A 12-meter semi-circle used for offensive spacing purposes as well as the administration of minor fouls. Goal: A 6’ x 6’ square placed within the crease on a ‘goal line’ through which goals (points) are scored when a ball passes the goal line. A padded goalie protects the goal. Crease: Circle that surrounds the goal and indicates the area in which only the goalie can enter. (*At the college level, defenders can enter/pass through the crease). Goal Line Extended: A line extending outside of the crease to the 12-meter arc as a continuation of the ‘goal line’ within the crease.
Positions Center/Draw Control Specialist: This player takes the draws to start games and after each goal. Midfielders: These players will play both offense and defense throughout the game. Midfielders are strong transition players both offensively and defensively. Low Attack vs High Attack: Attackers specialize in creating scoring plays. These players are highly skilled with their stick work. High attackers play closer to the midfield while low attackers play closer to the opponents goal. Low Defenders vs High Defenders: Defenders specialize on protecting their goalie from the opponents. These players are highly skilled in decision making, communication and defensive positioning. Goalkeeper: These players attempt to save each shot by using her stick and body to keep the ball out of the goal. Goalies also specialize in communicating with their defense and clearing the ball for transition after saves.
Equipment Lacrosse Stick: The lacrosse stick has an aluminum or titanium ‘shaft’ that connects to the plastic ‘head’ of the stick. The strings in the head of the stick form a pocket that allows for catching and throwing of the ball. The sides of the head of the stick are referred to as the ‘sidewalls’. The pocket of the stick is shallow in women’s lacrosse, making it more difficult to maintain control of the ball. For a pocket to be legal, part of the ball must be seen above the top of the sidewall when the stick is held parallel to the ground. Ball: A women’s lacrosse ball is yellow. It is made of solid rubber and is about the size of a baseball. Goggles: Goggles are worn in women’s lacrosse to protect players against eye injuries. Mouth guard: Mouth guards are used to avoid mouth injuries
Gloves: In women’s lacrosse, gloves are optional. These gloves are thin like batting gloves with padding on the finger and knuckle areas. Goalie: Goalies wear additional padding including a helmet, gloves, chest pad, thigh pads, shin guards (HS & younger).
Skills Cradling: The act of moving the stick from side to side causing the ball to remain controlled in the upper part of the pocket. Checking: In women’s lacrosse, only the checking of another stick is allowed. A legal check is the act of using a controlled ‘in and out’ tap with a stick on an opponents stick in an attempt to dislodge the ball. The check must be away from any part of the players body. Cutting: A movement by a player without the ball in anticipation of receiving a pass Dodging: The act of suddenly shifting direction in order to avoid or pass an opponent. Ground Balls: The act of scooping up a loose ball with the stick
FOULS Major Fouls Blocking: When contact is initiated by a defender who has moved into the patch of an opponent with the ball without giving the player a chance to stop or change direction. Charging: When an offensive player charges, shoulders or backs into an opponent. Dangerous Shot: When a player propels the ball toward the goal without control, or in the direction of a field player or goal keeper. Dangerous Follow Through: When a players follow through on a shot hits a defender around them. Slashing: When a defender swings her stick at an opponents’ stick or body without control, whether or not contact is made. Three Seconds: A defender may not stand within the 8-meter arc unless she is marking an opponent within a sticks length, for more than 3 seconds. Shooting Space: When a defender is not closely marking her opponent and is in the free space to goal of the attack player with the ball. The attack player must have the opportunity and be looking to shoot.
Minor Fouls Goal Circle Violation: When any part of an offensive or defensive (except in college) player enters the crease while the goalie is still in it. Warding off: When a player removes one hand from their stick to push or ward off an opponent. Empty Check: When a player checks an opponents stick when the ball is not in it. Body Ball: When a player intentionally uses their body to move the ball to their advantage. Cradling in the Sphere: When a player with the ball cradles within their sphere for more than 3 seconds.
Other Terms Clear: Any action taken by players to transition the ball from the defensive end of the field to the offensive end of the field. This is done a lot after a goalie save. Critical Scoring Area: Area 15 meters in front of and to the side of the goal as well as 9 meters behind. Draw: A technique to start, or resume play after goals, by which a ball is placed in between the sticks of two standing opponents and drawn up and away. Free Position: An opportunity awarded to the offense when a major or minor foul is committed by the defense any where on the field. All players must move four meters away from the ball. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run, pass or shoot the ball. Free Space to Goal: An imaginary cone-shaped path extending from each side of the goal circle to the attack player with the ball. A player may not, for safety reasons, stand alone in this area without marking an opponent. Marking: Being within a stick’s length of an opponent on defense. Scoring Play: A continuous effort by the attacking team to move the all toward the goal and to complete a shot on goal. Stand: All players, except the goal keeper in her crease, must remain stationary following the sound of any whistle. Sphere: An imaginary area, approximately 7 inches around a players head. No stick checks are allowed in or towards the sphere. Yellow Card: A penalty given to a player for any type of dangerous play. The player must sit out in the penalty box on the sideline for 2 minutes while their team plays man down. If the opposing team scores, the penalty can be released early. If the players own team scores, the penalty remains.
HOW TO PLAY! In women’s lacrosse, there are 12 players on the field: A goalkeeper and 11 field players. The recommended field dimensions are a length of 120 yds and a width of 65 yds. The restraining line is located 30 yds from the goal line. The High School game is 50 minutes long (2-25 minute halves). The collegiate game is 60 minutes long (2-30 minute halves). In High School, each team is allowed 2 timeouts during the length of the game. In College, each team is allowed 3 timeouts during the length of the game. At both levels, timeouts may be called by either team after a goal is scored, or during play by the team with possession of the ball. Each game begins with a draw taken in the center of the field. The draw is used to begin each game and taken again after each goal is scored. Once a team gains possession of the draw, field players may pass, catch or run with the ball in their stick. An opponent may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from a stick with a legal check. Fouls are categorized as major or minor. For major fouls, the player who committed the foul is placed 4 meters behind the player with the ball. For a minor foul, the player who committed the foul is placed 4 meters to the side of the attacker. All major fouls committed within the 8-meter arc will result in a free position shot. All minor fouls committed within the 8-meter arc will result in an indirect shot positioned from the 12 meter. A slow whistle occurs when the offense has entered the critical scoring area and the defense has committed a major foul – a flag is thrown but no whistle is sounded so that offense has an opportunity to complete the scoring play. Once the scoring play is over, the whistle is blown and a free position shot is awarded.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEN’S AND WOMEN’S LACROSSE Physical Contact: The main difference is the level of physical contact. In men’s lacrosse, body checking is legal while it is not in the women’s game. Number of Players: In the men’s game there are ten players on the field including the goalie. In women’s lacrosse there are twelve players on the field including the goalie. Protective Equipment: As a result of the difference in physical contact, there is far less protective equipment worn in the women’s game (goggles, mouthguard, optional gloves) than in the men’s game (helmet, mouthguard, shoulder pads, elbow pads)
Sticks: Pockets in men’s lacrosse sticks are made of mesh, where as women’s sticks are strung in the traditional way. Men’s pockets are deeper with a legal pocket defined as being able to see part of the ball over the bottom of the sidewall (as opposed to the top of the sidewall in women’s lacrosse). Men’s standards shafts are 40-42 inches in length, with a longer shaft for defensive players, measuring 52-72 inches long. Women’s Lacrosse shafts for all players on the field are 35.5-43 inches long.
Field: Men’s lacrosse fields typically measure 110 yds long and 60 yds wide. Women’s lacrosse fields typically measure 120 yds long and 65 yds wide. Men’s lacrosse does not utilize the 8- or 12-meter arcs.