Rules Field lacrosse

1 rules

1.1 playing area
1.2 equipment
1.3 players

1.3.1 goalkeeper
1.3.2 defensemen
1.3.3 midfielders
1.3.4 attackman


1.4 duration , tie-breaking methods
1.5 ball movement , out of play
1.6 penalties

1.6.1 personal fouls
1.6.2 technical fouls

rules

field lacrosse involves 2 teams, each competing shoot lacrosse ball opposing team s goal. lacrosse ball made out of solid rubber, measuring 7.75 8 inches (19.7–20 cm) in circumference , weighing 5 5.25 ounces (140–149 g). each team plays ten players on field: goalkeeper; 3 defenders in defensive end; 3 midfielders free roam whole field; , 3 attackers attempting score goals in offensive end. players required wear protective equipment, , must carry lacrosse stick (or crosse) meets specifications. rules dictate length of game, boundaries, , allowable activity. penalties assessed officials transgression of rules.

the game has undergone significant changes since beers original codification. in 1930s, number of players on field per team reduced twelve ten, rules protective equipment established, , field shortened.

playing area

diagram of men s college lacrosse field.

a standard lacrosse field 110 yards (100 m) in length each endline, , 60 yards (55 m) in width sidelines.

field lacrosse goals centered between each sideline, positioned 15 yards (14 m) each endline , 80 yards (73 m) apart 1 another. positioning goals within endlines allows play occur behind them. goal 6 feet (1.8 m) wide 6 feet (1.8 m) tall, nets attached in pyramid shape. surrounding each goal circular area known crease, measuring 18 feet (5.5 m) in diameter.

if player enters crease while shooting toward goal, referee call foul , ball gets turned on other team.

a pair of lines, 20 yards (18 m) both midfield line , each goal line, divides field 3 sections. each team s point of view, 1 nearest own goal defensive area, midfield area, followed attack or offensive area. these trisecting lines called restraining lines. right angle line marked 10 yards (9.1 m) each sideline connecting each endline nearer restraining line, creating restraining box. if official deems team stalling, not moving offensive purpose while controlling ball, possessing team must keep ball within offensive restraining box avoid loss-of-possession penalty.

field markings dictate player positioning during face-off. face-off how play started @ beginning of each quarter , after each goal. during face-off, there 6 players (without considering goalkeepers) in each of areas defined restraining lines. 3 midfielders each team occupy midfield area, while 3 attackmen , 3 of opposing team s defensemen occupy each offensive area. these players must stay in these areas until possession earned midfielder or ball crosses either restraining line. wing areas marked on field on midfield line 10 yards (9.1 m) each sideline. line indicates 2 nonface-off midfielders per team lineup during face-off situation. these players may position on either side of midfield line. during face-off, 2 players lay sticks horizontally next ball, head of stick inches ball , butt-end pointing down midfield line. once official blows whistle start play, face-off midfielders scrap ball earn possession , other midfielders advance play ball. if possession won face-off player, may move ball himself or pass teammate.

the rules require substitution areas, penalty box, coaches area, , team bench areas designated on field.

equipment

a field lacrosse player s equipment includes lacrosse stick, , protective equipment, including lacrosse helmet face mask, lacrosse gloves, , arm , shoulder pads. players required wear mouthguards , athletic supporter cup pocket , protective cup.

a typically equipped field player, carrying short crosse

each player carries lacrosse stick measuring 40 to 42 inches (1.0–1.1 m) long (a short crosse ), or 52 to 72 inches (1.3–1.8 m) long (a long crosse ). in modern circles word crosse has been replaced stick , terms short stick , long stick or pole used. on each team 4 players @ time may use long crosse: 3 defensemen , 1 midfielder. crosse made of head , shaft (or handle). head triangular in shape , loosely strung mesh or leathers , nylon strings form pocket allows ball caught, carried, , thrown. in field lacrosse, pocket of crosse illegal if top of ball, when placed in head of stick, below bottom of stick s sidewall.

head of men s lacrosse stick

the maximum width of head @ widest point must between 6 , 10 inches (15–25 cm). 1.25-inches bottom of head, distance between sidewalls of crosse must @ least 3 inches. modern sticks have tubular metal shaft, made of aluminum, titanium, or alloys, while head made of hard plastic. metal shafts must have plastic or rubber cap @ end.

the sport s growth has been hindered cost of player s equipment: uniform, helmet, shoulder pads, hand protection, , lacrosse sticks. many players have @ least 2 lacrosse sticks prepared use in contest. traditionally players used sticks made native american craftsman. these expensive and, @ times, difficult find. introduction of plastic heads in 1970s gave players alternative wooden stick, , mass production has led greater accessibility , expansion of sport.

players
goalkeeper


a goalkeeper making save

the goalkeeper s responsibility prevent opposition scoring directly defending 6-foot-wide (1.8 m) 6-foot-tall (1.8 m) goal. goalkeeper needs stop shots capable of reaching on 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), , responsible directing team s defense.

goalkeepers have special privileges when in crease, circular area surrounding each goal radius of 9 feet (2.7 m). offensive players may not play ball or make contact goalkeeper while in crease. once goalkeeper leaves crease, loses these privileges.

a goalkeeper s equipment differs other players . instead of shoulder pads , elbow pads, goalkeeper wears chest protector. wears special goalie gloves have padding on thumb protect shots. head of goalkeeper s crosse may measure 15 inches (38 cm) wide, larger field players .

defensemen

a defenseman player position responsibility assist goalkeeper in preventing opposing team scoring. each team fields 3 defensemen. these players remain on defensive half of field. unless defenseman gets ball , chooses run field , try score or pass, doing need cross midfield line , signal 1 midfielder stay back. defensemen carries long crosse provides advantage in reach intercepting passes , checking.

tactics used defensemen include body positioning , checking. checking attempting dispossess opposition of ball through body or stick contact. check may include poke check , defensemen thrusts crosse @ top hand or crosse of opponent in possession of ball (similar billiards shot), or slap check , player applies short, two-handed slap hand or crosse of opponent in possession of ball. body check allowed long ball in possession or loose ball within 5 yards of opposing player , contact made front or side of torso of opposing player. defensemen preferably remain in position relative offensive counterpart known topside , means stick , body position forces ball carrier go direction, away goal.

midfielders

a lacrosse player shooting during game.

midfielders contribute offensively , defensively , may roam entire playing area. each team fields 3 midfielders @ time. 1 midfielder per team may use long crosse, , in case referred long-stick midfielder. long-stick midfielders used defensive possessions , face-offs can participate in offense long not subbed off.

over time, midfield position has developed position of specialties. during play, teams may substitute players in , out freely, practice known on fly substitution. rules state substitution must occur within designated exchange area in front of players bench. teams rotate midfielder specialists off , on field depending on ball possession. teams have designated face-off midfielder, referred fogo midfielder (an acronym face-off , get-off ), takes majority of face-offs , substituted after face-off. teams designate midfielders offensive midfielders or defensive midfielders depending on strengths , weaknesses.

attackman

each team fields 3 attackmen @ time, , these players remain on offensive half of field. attackman uses short crosse. these players score of goals.

duration , tie-breaking methods

duration of games depends upon level of play. in international competition, college lacrosse, , major league lacrosse, total playing time 60 minutes, composed of 4 15-minute quarters. high school games typically consist of 4 12-minute quarters can played in 30-minute halves, while youth leagues may have shorter games. clock typically stops during dead ball situations such between goals or if ball goes out of bounds. method of breaking tie consists of multiple overtime periods of 5 minutes (4 in ncaa play) in whoever scores goal awarded sudden victory. quicker variant of sudden victory braveheart method in each team sends out 1 player , 1 goalie; sudden victory. international lacrosse plays 2 straight 5-minute overtime periods, , applies sudden victory rule if score still tied.

ball movement , out of play

a face-off

teams must advance ball or subjected loss of possession. once team gains possession of ball in defensive area, must move ball on midfield line within 20 seconds. if goalkeeper has possession of ball in crease must pass ball or vacate area within 4 seconds. failure goalkeeper leave crease result in opposite team being given possession outside restraining box. once ball crosses midfield line, team has 10 seconds move ball offensive area designated restraining box or forfeit possession opponents. term used define moving ball defensive offensive area clear ball. offensive players responsible riding opponents, in other words attempting deny opposition free clear of ball on midfield line.

if ball travels outside of playing area, play restarted possession being awarded opponents of team last touched ball, unless ball goes out of bounds due shot or deflected shot. in case, possession awarded player closest ball when leaves playing area.

penalties

for fouls, offending player sent penalty box , team has play without him , 1 fewer player short amount of time. penalties classified either personal fouls or technical fouls. personal fouls of more serious nature , penalised 1-minute suspension. technical fouls violations of rules not serious personal fouls, , penalised 30 seconds or loss of possession. longer penalty may assessed more severe infractions. players penalised 6 personal fouls must leave game. penalised team said playing man down defense while other team on man up, or playing man offence. during typical game, each team have 3 5 man offence opportunities.

personal fouls

personal fouls (pf) include slashing, tripping, illegal body checking, cross checking, unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, , equipment violations. while stick-check (where player makes contact opposition player s stick in order knock ball loose) legal, slashing violation called when player viciously makes contact opposing player or stick. illegal body check penalty called contact ball further 5 yards (4.6 m) contact, check behind, above shoulders or below knees, or avoidable after player has released ball. cross checking, player uses shaft of stick push opposition player off balance, illegal in field lacrosse. both unsportsmanlike conduct , unnecessary roughness subject officiating crew s discretion, while equipment violations governed strictly regulations.

technical fouls

technical fouls include holding, interference, pushing, illegal offensive screening (usually referred moving pick ), warding off , stalling, , off-sides. screen, employed in basketball strategy, blocking move offensive player, standing beside or behind defender, free teammate shoot, or receive pass; in basketball players must remain stationary when screening. warding off occurs when offensive player uses free hand control stick of opposing player.

offside has unique implementation in field lacrosse. instituted rule changes in 1921, limits number of players allowed on either side of midfield line. offside occurs when there fewer 3 players on offensive side of midfield line or when there fewer 4 players on defensive half of midfield line (note: if players exiting through special-substitution area, not determined offside violation).

a technical foul requires defenceman fouled player on opposing team placed in penalty box 30 seconds. personal foul, until penalty time expires, no replacement player allowed , team must play 1 man short. player (or replacement) allowed reenter game once time in penalty box on , team once again @ full strength.