the field
The desirable measurements for a lacrosse field are 120 yards by 70 yards.
Goals:
Goals are set up 100 yards apart from each other and unlike any other game, the field extends an additional 10 yards behind the goals. Even though the field extends behind the goal, players can only score from the front of the goal that faces the center of the field. Each goal has a circle painted in the grass around it called the goal circle which is where the goalie stands to defend the goal and play the ball. Only one player can stand in the goal circle at a time, but in 2014, one defender will be able to briefly cross through the goal circle while the goalie is still inside.
Eight-meter arc:
The eight-meter arc is the critical scoring area in front of the cage. Defenders in the eight-meter arc must be within one stick length from their opponent, or after three seconds the referee will call a three-second violation, which results is a major foul. (similar to basketball)
12-meter fan:
The 12-meter fan is also a high scoring area, but is mostly used for settled offenses to slow the game down. The eight-meter arc is within the 12-meter fan.
Restraining Line:
30 yards in front of each goal is a restraining line. No more than seven offensive players and eight defensive players (including the goalie) can be past the restraining line at any given time or off-sides will be called on whichever team has too many players over.
Goals:
Goals are set up 100 yards apart from each other and unlike any other game, the field extends an additional 10 yards behind the goals. Even though the field extends behind the goal, players can only score from the front of the goal that faces the center of the field. Each goal has a circle painted in the grass around it called the goal circle which is where the goalie stands to defend the goal and play the ball. Only one player can stand in the goal circle at a time, but in 2014, one defender will be able to briefly cross through the goal circle while the goalie is still inside.
Eight-meter arc:
The eight-meter arc is the critical scoring area in front of the cage. Defenders in the eight-meter arc must be within one stick length from their opponent, or after three seconds the referee will call a three-second violation, which results is a major foul. (similar to basketball)
12-meter fan:
The 12-meter fan is also a high scoring area, but is mostly used for settled offenses to slow the game down. The eight-meter arc is within the 12-meter fan.
Restraining Line:
30 yards in front of each goal is a restraining line. No more than seven offensive players and eight defensive players (including the goalie) can be past the restraining line at any given time or off-sides will be called on whichever team has too many players over.
Equipment
The Crosse:
The crosse (lacrosse stick) can be made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material such as aluminum, and has a shaped net pocket at the end. The top of the ball when dropped in the net pocket must stay even with or above the side walls of the net.
The Ball:
A ball used in a game bust be made of solid yellow rubber and must be 8 inches in circumference weighing 5-5.25 ounces.
Mouthpiece:
Mouthpieces are mandatory and cannot be clear or red, or have any part that hangs out of the mouth.
Protective Goggles:
Protective metal eye goggles are mandatory.
The crosse (lacrosse stick) can be made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material such as aluminum, and has a shaped net pocket at the end. The top of the ball when dropped in the net pocket must stay even with or above the side walls of the net.
The Ball:
A ball used in a game bust be made of solid yellow rubber and must be 8 inches in circumference weighing 5-5.25 ounces.
Mouthpiece:
Mouthpieces are mandatory and cannot be clear or red, or have any part that hangs out of the mouth.
Protective Goggles:
Protective metal eye goggles are mandatory.
Basic rules
Every game starts with the referees checking all players' sticks for illegalities. They makes sure that the pocket is not too deep and that the stick is strung correctly.
High school lacrosse games consist of two 25 minute halves while collegiate lacrosse games consist of two 30 minute halves. Women's lacrosse is a non-contact sport played with 12 players on the field: goalkeeper, 4 attackers, 3 midfielders, and 4 defenders. The team who scores the most goals wins.
Women's lacrosse begins with a draw in the center of the field. (demo video below)
High school lacrosse games consist of two 25 minute halves while collegiate lacrosse games consist of two 30 minute halves. Women's lacrosse is a non-contact sport played with 12 players on the field: goalkeeper, 4 attackers, 3 midfielders, and 4 defenders. The team who scores the most goals wins.
Women's lacrosse begins with a draw in the center of the field. (demo video below)
When a whistle blows, all players must stop where they are and stand in place. If a ball goes out of bounds, the player closest to the ball gains possession when play is resumed. If a player runs or throws the ball out of bounds it results in a loss of possession. In women's lacrosse, unlike men's lacrosse, body checks and pushing are not allowed, but a controlled check to the stick, away from the head is allowed. Players can pass, catch, or run with the ball in their crosse and a player can gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a check to the stick, away from the head.
When a player commits a foul (classified as major or minor) the ref blows their whistle and everyone freezes. Examples of major fouls are: rough or careless checking, slashing (defender swings her stick with intent to harm), holding the stick across the face or neck of an opponent, a defender remaining in the eight-meter arc for more than three seconds unless she is closely marking her opponent, dangerous shots, and shooting space (if a defender is not closely marking her opponent and is in the path between the goal and the ball-carrying opponent). Examples of minor fouls are: goal circle violations, when the goalie keeps the ball in the goal circle for more than 10 seconds, using a foot to kick the ball, covering a ground ball with the crosse, taking a hand off your stick to ward an opponent away, touching the ball with your hand, intentionally delaying the game, intentionally throwing the ball out of bounds, and paying without a mouthguard or with the mouthguard hanging out of your mouth.
When a player commits a foul (classified as major or minor) the ref blows their whistle and everyone freezes. Examples of major fouls are: rough or careless checking, slashing (defender swings her stick with intent to harm), holding the stick across the face or neck of an opponent, a defender remaining in the eight-meter arc for more than three seconds unless she is closely marking her opponent, dangerous shots, and shooting space (if a defender is not closely marking her opponent and is in the path between the goal and the ball-carrying opponent). Examples of minor fouls are: goal circle violations, when the goalie keeps the ball in the goal circle for more than 10 seconds, using a foot to kick the ball, covering a ground ball with the crosse, taking a hand off your stick to ward an opponent away, touching the ball with your hand, intentionally delaying the game, intentionally throwing the ball out of bounds, and paying without a mouthguard or with the mouthguard hanging out of your mouth.