Lake Norman United Beginners Guide to Girls' Lacrosse Overview
Lake Norman United Beginners Guide to Girls’ Lacrosse
Overview Lacrosse, considered to be America's first sport, was born of the North American Indian and adapted and raised by the Canadians. American and Canadian Athletes have embraced lacrosse for over a century. Anyone can play lacrosse. The game requires and rewards agility, coordination, quickness and speed. Lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action, with long sprints across the field, abrupt starts and stops, precision passes and dodges. Lacrosse is played with a stick that must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.
The Basics Girl’s lacrosse teams use netted sticks to carry, pass, and shoot a ball along a field in an effort to score goals. A goal counts as one point and is scored when the ball crosses the opposing goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team scoring the greater number of goals wins the game.
What's Needed? You will need a lacrosse stick and ball, protective eyewear, gloves, cleats, and mouthguard. Goalies wear extra padding (See LNU Girls’ Lacrosse Equipment Guide)
The Game Players Two teams of twelve players are on the field. There are no set boundaries or perimeter lines on the playing field, therefore, no offside violations can occur. Players thus cover the entire length of the field. Positions are determined according to where players can best contribute on the field. In most leagues, unlimited substitutions are allowed during the course of a game.
Attack Players (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Home) As the front line of the offensive attack, these players are usually the team’s primary scorers. They try to maintain offensive positions around the opposing team’s goal in order to gain scoring opportunities.
Midfielders (Two defense wings, two attack wings, and one center) – These five players contribute on both offense and defense while covering the entire field. As the team’s main players that carry the ball, they control the tempo of the game.
Defensive Players (Point, Cover Point, and 3rd Man) - These three players help defend against offensive attacks and work to “clear” the ball from out of their goal area up to the midfielders. They generally remain on their defensive side of the field surrounding their team’s own goal. On a draw, they line up vertically from their goal toward the center circle.
Goalie - Plays inside the “crease” directly in front of her own goal to block incoming shots. She uses a stick with an oversized head to prevent shots from scoring. The goalie is the only player allowed to touch the ball with her hands, but can only do so when she is standing inside the crease. Upon gaining control of the ball with her stick, the goalie has ten seconds either to pass the ball away or to run it out of her crease. If the goalie leaves the crease while in possession of the ball, she may not reenter the crease unless the ball goes back inside first or she passes the ball away.
Length of Game The game is divided into two twenty-five minute halves, with a ten-minute break at halftime (Games may be shooter for younger players). Each half begins at the center circle with a “draw” between two opposing players. Team captains flip a coin to choose playing sides and teams switch sides at halftime. If a game ends with a tie, some leagues may decide the result of a tie by playing overtime periods of sudden death; the team scoring first wins.
Stand And Draw The Draw - Takes place between opposing players in the center circle to start each half and after a goal. The two centers stand opposite each other across the centerline, holding their sticks waist high with the stick pockets touching back-toback. The referee places the ball between the netting of the stick pockets. When the signal is given, each player pulls her stick upwards and backwards to release the ball into the air. Players then attempt to gain possession. Prior to the start of the draw, all other players on the field must remain completely outside the center circle. If a violation of the draw occurs twice, a referee will restart play using a “throw.” Throw - Used in a variety of situations when play has been stopped, such as when two opposing fouls occur simultaneously. On a throw, two opposing players stand side-by-side, three feet apart. The umpire throws the ball up in the air between the two players who then move to gain possession and control of the ball. Stand - Anytime the whistle is blown to stop action, all players must stop moving and stand where they are on the field. They have to remain standing in their stationary positions until play restarts or is redirected by an official. Out of Play - If the ball rolls or is carried out of bounds, the official will blow the whistle and players must stand where they are, regardless of which player sent the ball out. The player nearest to the ball (when it went out) gets possession. Trapped Ball - If the ball gets caught in a goalie’s pads or clothing or in the goal netting, the ball is placed in the goalie’s stick and play resumes. If the ball gets trapped in another fielder’s clothes or lacrosse stick, a throw is used to restart play. Free Position - Awarded to a player after a major or minor foul has been committed anywhere on the field. The free position is always taken at least eight meters from the crease. On a major foul all other players must stand at least four meters behind the player taking the free position, while on a minor foul they may stand four meters to the side. The official places the ball in the stick pocket of the player taking the free position, who then passes, shoots, or runs with the ball.
Game Play Draw Control Motion - On draw controls, the two opposing players must move the ball with an up-and-away motion with their lacrosse sticks. A downward or outward motion is illegal, and the ball is awarded to the non-offending team with a free position. Restraining Line - Offside is called when a team has more than seven players on or over the restraining line in its offensive end or more than eight players on or over the restraining line in its defensive end. 3-Second Rule - Girls’ lacrosse encourages ball movement when the person with the ball is closely guarded within the restraining area. The offensive player has three seconds to pass the ball or change her cradle – either switching her hands or the level she is holding the ball. If the ball remains stationary for more than three seconds, the referee awards the defense with a free position. This lacrosse rule is exempt if the offensive player is behind the goal and the defensive player guarding her is in front of the goal and mirroring her. Avoid the Goalie Circle - Players must stay out of the goalie circle. A goal does not count if the shooter or another offensive player steps on or into the goal circle or interferes with the goalie. A defensive player can reach her stick inside the goal circle to block or redirect a shot. Below the ninthgrade level, a shooter may not follow through with her lacrosse stick into the goalie circle. Free Position or Indirect Free Position - The penalty for fouls is a free position. When a team is awarded the ball after a foul, the player can run, pass or shoot it. However, an indirect free position is awarded for minor defensive fouls inside the 12-meter fan, and the player who restarts the ball can’t shoot until a defensive player or a teammate touches it. Only a goalie can take a free position within the 8meter circle and no free position can be taken within four meters of a field boundary.
Major or Minor Fouls - All players must stand at least four meters away from the player restarting a free position or indirect free position. On a major foul, the offending player must stand four meters behind the player taking the free position. On a minor foul, the offending player stands four meters away in the direction from which she approached before committing the foul. Empty Stick Check - A player can’t check another player’s stick that isn’t in contact with the ball. This applies only when the opponent could have gained possession of the ball. Offensive Charging - A player with the ball cannot push into a defensive player who has established position. This major foul often occurs within the 12-meter fan when a player is going toward the goal. Dangerous Propelling - A player cannot maneuver the ball in her lacrosse stick in a dangerous manner and without regard to the people around her. Pick/Screen - An illegal screen occurs when a player without the ball, by her positioning, forces an opponent to take another route. To be legal, the player must be set within the visual field of the opponent, allowing the defender time and space to change direction.
Fouls & Penalties A violation of the rules results in a major or minor foul, awarding a free position to the fouled player. Major fouls are in place to protect the safety of players and give guidelines as to whether play is dangerous or not. Minor fouls are less severe.
Major Fouls When a player charges, pushes, trips, blocks, or makes physical contact with an opponent; “slashes” an opposing player that has the ball; commits a “shooting space violation;” or invades the body space of an opposing player, such as touching her stick to that player’s body. Stick Fouls - Players may not use their stick in a dangerous/intimidating manner. Example: A defender may not make a sweeping check from behind that contacts the opponent's body; she may not swing her stick toward the body or head of her opponent nor may she hold her opponents' stick or body. A defender may not directly poke or wave the stick near an opponent's face. A player with the ball may not hold the ball in her stick with her hand or cradle the ball in front of her face. A player may not lower the head of the stick below shoulder level and initiate stick to body contact. Body Fouls - A defender may not restrain or hold an opponent with her stick or body by blocking, detaining, or pushing. A player in possession of the ball may not charge, or lean into an opponent with her shoulder or back. A defender may not reach around her opponent to check the stick. Critical Scoring Area Fouls - Three-second violation (only for a player defending her goal). No defender may stand in the 8-meter arc for more than 3 seconds without being within a stick's length of the attacker she is marking. Shooting Space Obstruction - For an attacker with the ball who is in the critical scoring area or within the 8-meter arc, no defender may stand in the attacker's free space towards the goal. A defender may pass through this free space when: the player with the ball is not looking to shoot, the ball is on the ground or if it’s being passed within a stick's length of her opponent. Dangerous Play (by an attacker shooting on the goal) - The attacker assumes the responsibility to control her shot and her stick after releasing the ball. A shot may not be directed at a player or the goalies body, especially her head or neck. This does not apply if a player moves into the path of the ball.
Major Foul Penalties Outside of the 8-Meter Arc - The opposing team gets a free position at the location of the foul. The person who committed the foul stands 4 meters behind the fouled player. The rest of the players on the field must move 4 meters away from the ball. Defense Fouls Within the 8-Meter Arc - The offense gets a free position from the closest hash mark on the 8-meter arc. The player who committed the foul goes 4 meters behind the fouled player. All players (offense and defense) must clear out of the 8-meter arc. Offense Fouls Within the 8-Meter Arc - The defense gets the ball on the 8-meter arc and the attacker who committed the foul must go 4 meters behind.
Minor Fouls Called when a player uses her stick or foot to shield a ground ball; if a player kicks the ball or touches it with her hands (except for the goalie inside the crease). Also, no part of a player’s body or stick may enter the crease while the goalie is in her position. Empty Stick Checking - A player may not check her opponent's stick when the opponent does not have the ball in her pocket. Covering or Guarding a Ground Ball - A player may not cover the ball with the pocket of her stick, step on the ball or cover the ball with any other part of her body thereby obstructing the ball from other players. Hands or Body Use - A player may not "push off" her opponent with her hand or body to gain positional advantage. Illegal Stick or Not Wearing a Mouthguard - A player must play with a stick of legal length and pocket depth, and wear a mouth guard at all times. Jewelry - A player may not wear any jewelry during a game. (Medical Alerts that cannot be removed may be taped down with athletic tape.)
Illegal Substitution - A player may not enter the field before her teammate leaves the field, and must enter the field through the substitution box.
Delay of Game - A player/team may not intentionally delay the game by not standing when the whistle is blown, failing to move 4 meters from a player on a free position, not wearing a mouthguard, or behaving in any way that delays the game. Illegal Draw - A player may be cited for an illegal draw if she draws too soon, does not move her stick up and away, moves before the whistle after the draw is set up, or if the ball does not go above the heads of the players taking the draw. Out of Bounds - Players may not intentionally kick, run, pass or throw the ball out. Body Ball - a player may not allow any part of her body to deliberately impede, accelerate or change the direction of the ball. However, if the goalkeeper blatantly attempts to stop a shot on goal by playing the ball off her body while outside the goal circle, it shall be called a major foul.
Minor Foul Penalties Outside of the 8-Meter Arc - Umpire awards a free position and moves the fouling player 4 meters away in the direction from which the fouling player came. Within the 12-Meter Fan – Player is given an indirect free position on the nearest spot of the 12-meter fan. On an indirect call, the player with the ball may not shoot; the ball must be played by a teammate before a shot is taken. Play Around the Crease - A player (attacker or defender) must not enter or have any part of her body or stick crossing the plane of the crease at any time, unless she is deputizing for the goalie. The goalie or her deputy must not allow the ball to remain in the crease longer than 10 seconds, and may not re-enter the crease with the ball after leaving with the ball, unless the ball has been played by another player. With both feet inside the crease, the goalie may reach with her stick outside the crease to reach the ball, but she may not cover the ball or draw it into her crease. Fouls Around the Crease - If the defense crosses the line or plane of the crease, she commits a minor foul, and the attacker gets an indirect free position at the 12meter fan. If the attacker crosses the line or plane of the crease, the goalie gets the ball and all of the players on the field must move 4 meters away from the crease. Midfield Play - A restraining line is located 30 yards from each goal area. A team is "offside" if more than 8 defenders (including the goalie) or more than 7 attackers are over the line at any time. Players may exchange places during play, but a player should cross the restraining line before her teammate can enter. Players may reach over the line with their stick to play the ball, as long as no part of their foot is over the line.
MISCONDUCT FOULS 1. Excessively rough, dangerous or unsportsmanlike play 2. Persistent or flagrant violation of the rules 3. Deliberately endangering the safety of an opposing player 4. Baiting or taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others (including players, coaches, umpires or spectators) 5. Excessive mouthing off or abusive language 6. A non-playing team member leaving their team bench area during the game 7. A coach leaving their coaching area 8. Re-entering the game before a Yellow or Red Card penalty time has elapsed 9. Any type of behavior that in the umpire’s opinion amounts to misconduct.
Penalties Cards Green Card – Is given to the team captain for a delay of game. A delay of game is issued when a player continually moves once the whistle is blown (creeping), failure to move 4-meters as directed by the referee, jewelry violation, or improper use of equipment. Yellow Card - First-time penalty, results in the player being removed from the field for three minutes. Any player receiving two yellows sits out for the remainder of the game, but is allowed to play in the next game. Red Card - The result of two yellow cards or a flagrant foul or extremely unsportsmanlike behavior, player is ejected from the game. If the red card is for unsportsmanlike behavior, the player is not permitted to play in the following game. U.S. rules differ in that a red card is not the result of two yellow cards and any player receiving a red card sits out the rest of that game and her team's next game.
Positions Two teams of twelve players are on the field at one time. There are no set boundaries or perimeter lines on the playing field, therefore, no offside violations can occur. Players thus cover the entire length of the field. Positions are determined according to where players can best contribute on the field. In most leagues, unlimited substitutions are allowed during the course of a game.
One of the significant differences between girls and boys lacrosse is that more players take the field in a regulation game on a girls’ team. The following are the positions in the girls’ game and the responsibilities that go along with them. Goalie - The primary role of this position is keeping balls out of the net. A goalie must be quick on her feet and willing to go after loose balls around the crease area. The more confident your goalie is, the more effective she’ll be at turning away the different types of shots she’ll face. Point - After the goalie position, point is the most defensive position on the field. The player handling this position works closely with the goalie, communicating what the opponent is doing and orchestrating where players need to be on the field to counter the attack. Your point player must be a good communicator to help prevent defensive breakdowns from occurring. Because the point player doesn’t stray far from the net, she’s often in position to intercept passes to the middle of the field while defending an attack.
Cover Point - Player’s main task is to cover the opposition’s second home. Good footwork is an asset for excelling in this position because the player must stick with the opponent to deny passes and shots on goal. The cover point player is also relied on to make clearing passes, so she must be proficient at catching passes from the goalie and quickly turning up field to look for teammates who can receive the ball. Third Player - Player’s key responsibility is covering the opposing team’s third home. Attributes for doing well in this position are good reflexes, ability to read the opponent’s attack, and the ability to jump into the passing lanes to intercept balls. Left & Right Defensive Wings - These positions require substantial running, the players’ primary responsibility is to guard the opponent’s left and right attack wings. Center - This position is a magnet of activity on both offense and defense. Because the position requires strong play both with and without the ball, as well as a variety of other skills, the team’s best player usually handles this position. The center patrols the middle of the field. When her team has control of the ball, she looks to step up into the action, where she can feed the ball to the first, second, and third home players. When her team is on defense, she retreats to her team’s defensive half of the field, providing coverage against the opponent’s center, disrupting the passing lanes, and looking to intercept balls delivered by the attack wings. Left & Right Attack Wings - These positions cover a lot of territory as the players carry out supportive roles at the offensive end of the field — most notably, feeding the ball to the players manning the first, second, and third home positions. They must also hustle back on defense to help the left and right defensive wings. Third Home - A team’s offense is enhanced whenever its third home player is an efficient passer. She can feed the ball to the first and second home players, as well as the right and left attack wings. She also takes shots on goal when scoring opportunities arise and creates openings for her to shoot or pass. Second Home - This position is similar to the point guard position in basketball, because the second home orchestrates the offense and makes the passes that help the offense run smoothly and effectively. In lacrosse, this player should be an excellent ball handler, because she’ll likely have the ball on her stick more than most of the other players. The offense will be more difficult to defend if the second home player is a threat to score goals, too. First Home - This position represents the most offensive play on the lacrosse field. The first home’s main responsibilities are to score goals and to deliver accurate passes to teammates who are in scoring position. To excel in this position, a player must be quick and have sound ball-control skills.
Terminology Checking - Two forms of checking are permitted: body and stick check. a) Body Check - occurs when a defending player moves her body in front of an opposing player that has possession of the ball to redirect her progress. b) Stick Check - a defender knocks her stick against an opponent’s stick in an attempt to knock the ball loose. The latter is done with sharp, quick jabs directed away from the face and body of the player being checked. Both styles are legal provided that there is no body contact and that the stick check is neither reckless nor touches any part of the players body. A player may not hold her stick on an opponent’s stick. Clearing - An important defensive maneuver in which defending players run or pass the ball out of their goal area. Clearing is best done along the sidelines, away from the front of the goal. Cradling - When moving with the ball, a player uses her wrists and arms to turn the stick, in order to maintain control of the ball while in the stick pocket. Critical Scoring Area - The semicircle area in front of each teams crease from where most goals are scored. This area includes the twelve-meter fan and the eight-meter arc. Cutting - An offensive player without the ball quickly moves around a defending player or into an open space in order to get free and open to receive a “feed pass.” Fast Break - An offensive team speedily runs the ball up field on an attack to gain a player advantage over the defense. Feed Pass - Used by the offense when they are near the opposing goal. One player passes the ball to a cutting teammate who then takes a shot on goal. Goal Circle (or Crease) - The nine-foot diameter circle surrounding each goal. Only one player is allowed in the goal circle at a time and no player from outside may reach in with her stick. It is also a foul when any player enters the circle while the goalie is in position there.
Ground Balls - Describes the ball loose on the ground. Players will position their bodies in front of opposing players to block them from scooping up the ball. Man-to-Man - A defensive setup in which each defending player guards a specific offensive opponent. Marking - The play of a defender who uses her stick and body to closely guard and follow an opposing offensive player. Passing - Throwing the ball between teammates, done overhand, underhand, or sidearm and sometimes along the ground. Pocket - The head of the lacrosse stick where the ball is held. Depending on the style of the stick, the pocket is strung with either leather or mesh netting. Pick-Up - The manner in which a player picks up a loose ground ball. She crouches toward the ground, slides the pocket of her stick underneath the ball, and lifts it into the netting of her stick. Shooting Space Violation - When a defender is more than a sticks length away from an opponent while inside the critical scoring area in front of her own goal, thereby obstructing incoming shots. Shovel Pass - A short underhand pass used between teammates who are in close proximity to one another. Slashing - A major foul against any player who recklessly stick checks an opponent using a dangerous, sweeping stroke. Stop Play - When a foul occurs or the ball goes out of play, the umpire blows a whistle to stop the game. To restart play or redirect a player, a throw or free position is taken. If play stops as a result of an injury, the ball is given to either the player who held the ball last or who was closest to it before the whistle blew. The official game clock continues to run whenever play has stopped - except during injury time-outs or when the whistle sounds during the last 2-minutes of each half. Zone Defense - When defenders play in specific areas of their defensive zone, rather than covering man-to-man.
Referee Calls
Overview Lacrosse, considered to be America's first sport, was born of the North American Indian and adapted and raised by the Canadians. American and Canadian Athletes have embraced lacrosse for over a century. Anyone can play lacrosse. The game requires and rewards agility, coordination, quickness and speed. Lacrosse is fast-paced and full of action, with long sprints across the field, abrupt starts and stops, precision passes and dodges. Lacrosse is played with a stick that must be mastered by the player to throw, catch and scoop the ball.
The Basics Girl’s lacrosse teams use netted sticks to carry, pass, and shoot a ball along a field in an effort to score goals. A goal counts as one point and is scored when the ball crosses the opposing goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team scoring the greater number of goals wins the game.
What's Needed? You will need a lacrosse stick and ball, protective eyewear, gloves, cleats, and mouthguard. Goalies wear extra padding (See LNU Girls’ Lacrosse Equipment Guide)
The Game Players Two teams of twelve players are on the field. There are no set boundaries or perimeter lines on the playing field, therefore, no offside violations can occur. Players thus cover the entire length of the field. Positions are determined according to where players can best contribute on the field. In most leagues, unlimited substitutions are allowed during the course of a game.
Attack Players (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Home) As the front line of the offensive attack, these players are usually the team’s primary scorers. They try to maintain offensive positions around the opposing team’s goal in order to gain scoring opportunities.
Midfielders (Two defense wings, two attack wings, and one center) – These five players contribute on both offense and defense while covering the entire field. As the team’s main players that carry the ball, they control the tempo of the game.
Defensive Players (Point, Cover Point, and 3rd Man) - These three players help defend against offensive attacks and work to “clear” the ball from out of their goal area up to the midfielders. They generally remain on their defensive side of the field surrounding their team’s own goal. On a draw, they line up vertically from their goal toward the center circle.
Goalie - Plays inside the “crease” directly in front of her own goal to block incoming shots. She uses a stick with an oversized head to prevent shots from scoring. The goalie is the only player allowed to touch the ball with her hands, but can only do so when she is standing inside the crease. Upon gaining control of the ball with her stick, the goalie has ten seconds either to pass the ball away or to run it out of her crease. If the goalie leaves the crease while in possession of the ball, she may not reenter the crease unless the ball goes back inside first or she passes the ball away.
Length of Game The game is divided into two twenty-five minute halves, with a ten-minute break at halftime (Games may be shooter for younger players). Each half begins at the center circle with a “draw” between two opposing players. Team captains flip a coin to choose playing sides and teams switch sides at halftime. If a game ends with a tie, some leagues may decide the result of a tie by playing overtime periods of sudden death; the team scoring first wins.
Stand And Draw The Draw - Takes place between opposing players in the center circle to start each half and after a goal. The two centers stand opposite each other across the centerline, holding their sticks waist high with the stick pockets touching back-toback. The referee places the ball between the netting of the stick pockets. When the signal is given, each player pulls her stick upwards and backwards to release the ball into the air. Players then attempt to gain possession. Prior to the start of the draw, all other players on the field must remain completely outside the center circle. If a violation of the draw occurs twice, a referee will restart play using a “throw.” Throw - Used in a variety of situations when play has been stopped, such as when two opposing fouls occur simultaneously. On a throw, two opposing players stand side-by-side, three feet apart. The umpire throws the ball up in the air between the two players who then move to gain possession and control of the ball. Stand - Anytime the whistle is blown to stop action, all players must stop moving and stand where they are on the field. They have to remain standing in their stationary positions until play restarts or is redirected by an official. Out of Play - If the ball rolls or is carried out of bounds, the official will blow the whistle and players must stand where they are, regardless of which player sent the ball out. The player nearest to the ball (when it went out) gets possession. Trapped Ball - If the ball gets caught in a goalie’s pads or clothing or in the goal netting, the ball is placed in the goalie’s stick and play resumes. If the ball gets trapped in another fielder’s clothes or lacrosse stick, a throw is used to restart play. Free Position - Awarded to a player after a major or minor foul has been committed anywhere on the field. The free position is always taken at least eight meters from the crease. On a major foul all other players must stand at least four meters behind the player taking the free position, while on a minor foul they may stand four meters to the side. The official places the ball in the stick pocket of the player taking the free position, who then passes, shoots, or runs with the ball.
Game Play Draw Control Motion - On draw controls, the two opposing players must move the ball with an up-and-away motion with their lacrosse sticks. A downward or outward motion is illegal, and the ball is awarded to the non-offending team with a free position. Restraining Line - Offside is called when a team has more than seven players on or over the restraining line in its offensive end or more than eight players on or over the restraining line in its defensive end. 3-Second Rule - Girls’ lacrosse encourages ball movement when the person with the ball is closely guarded within the restraining area. The offensive player has three seconds to pass the ball or change her cradle – either switching her hands or the level she is holding the ball. If the ball remains stationary for more than three seconds, the referee awards the defense with a free position. This lacrosse rule is exempt if the offensive player is behind the goal and the defensive player guarding her is in front of the goal and mirroring her. Avoid the Goalie Circle - Players must stay out of the goalie circle. A goal does not count if the shooter or another offensive player steps on or into the goal circle or interferes with the goalie. A defensive player can reach her stick inside the goal circle to block or redirect a shot. Below the ninthgrade level, a shooter may not follow through with her lacrosse stick into the goalie circle. Free Position or Indirect Free Position - The penalty for fouls is a free position. When a team is awarded the ball after a foul, the player can run, pass or shoot it. However, an indirect free position is awarded for minor defensive fouls inside the 12-meter fan, and the player who restarts the ball can’t shoot until a defensive player or a teammate touches it. Only a goalie can take a free position within the 8meter circle and no free position can be taken within four meters of a field boundary.
Major or Minor Fouls - All players must stand at least four meters away from the player restarting a free position or indirect free position. On a major foul, the offending player must stand four meters behind the player taking the free position. On a minor foul, the offending player stands four meters away in the direction from which she approached before committing the foul. Empty Stick Check - A player can’t check another player’s stick that isn’t in contact with the ball. This applies only when the opponent could have gained possession of the ball. Offensive Charging - A player with the ball cannot push into a defensive player who has established position. This major foul often occurs within the 12-meter fan when a player is going toward the goal. Dangerous Propelling - A player cannot maneuver the ball in her lacrosse stick in a dangerous manner and without regard to the people around her. Pick/Screen - An illegal screen occurs when a player without the ball, by her positioning, forces an opponent to take another route. To be legal, the player must be set within the visual field of the opponent, allowing the defender time and space to change direction.
Fouls & Penalties A violation of the rules results in a major or minor foul, awarding a free position to the fouled player. Major fouls are in place to protect the safety of players and give guidelines as to whether play is dangerous or not. Minor fouls are less severe.
Major Fouls When a player charges, pushes, trips, blocks, or makes physical contact with an opponent; “slashes” an opposing player that has the ball; commits a “shooting space violation;” or invades the body space of an opposing player, such as touching her stick to that player’s body. Stick Fouls - Players may not use their stick in a dangerous/intimidating manner. Example: A defender may not make a sweeping check from behind that contacts the opponent's body; she may not swing her stick toward the body or head of her opponent nor may she hold her opponents' stick or body. A defender may not directly poke or wave the stick near an opponent's face. A player with the ball may not hold the ball in her stick with her hand or cradle the ball in front of her face. A player may not lower the head of the stick below shoulder level and initiate stick to body contact. Body Fouls - A defender may not restrain or hold an opponent with her stick or body by blocking, detaining, or pushing. A player in possession of the ball may not charge, or lean into an opponent with her shoulder or back. A defender may not reach around her opponent to check the stick. Critical Scoring Area Fouls - Three-second violation (only for a player defending her goal). No defender may stand in the 8-meter arc for more than 3 seconds without being within a stick's length of the attacker she is marking. Shooting Space Obstruction - For an attacker with the ball who is in the critical scoring area or within the 8-meter arc, no defender may stand in the attacker's free space towards the goal. A defender may pass through this free space when: the player with the ball is not looking to shoot, the ball is on the ground or if it’s being passed within a stick's length of her opponent. Dangerous Play (by an attacker shooting on the goal) - The attacker assumes the responsibility to control her shot and her stick after releasing the ball. A shot may not be directed at a player or the goalies body, especially her head or neck. This does not apply if a player moves into the path of the ball.
Major Foul Penalties Outside of the 8-Meter Arc - The opposing team gets a free position at the location of the foul. The person who committed the foul stands 4 meters behind the fouled player. The rest of the players on the field must move 4 meters away from the ball. Defense Fouls Within the 8-Meter Arc - The offense gets a free position from the closest hash mark on the 8-meter arc. The player who committed the foul goes 4 meters behind the fouled player. All players (offense and defense) must clear out of the 8-meter arc. Offense Fouls Within the 8-Meter Arc - The defense gets the ball on the 8-meter arc and the attacker who committed the foul must go 4 meters behind.
Minor Fouls Called when a player uses her stick or foot to shield a ground ball; if a player kicks the ball or touches it with her hands (except for the goalie inside the crease). Also, no part of a player’s body or stick may enter the crease while the goalie is in her position. Empty Stick Checking - A player may not check her opponent's stick when the opponent does not have the ball in her pocket. Covering or Guarding a Ground Ball - A player may not cover the ball with the pocket of her stick, step on the ball or cover the ball with any other part of her body thereby obstructing the ball from other players. Hands or Body Use - A player may not "push off" her opponent with her hand or body to gain positional advantage. Illegal Stick or Not Wearing a Mouthguard - A player must play with a stick of legal length and pocket depth, and wear a mouth guard at all times. Jewelry - A player may not wear any jewelry during a game. (Medical Alerts that cannot be removed may be taped down with athletic tape.)
Illegal Substitution - A player may not enter the field before her teammate leaves the field, and must enter the field through the substitution box.
Delay of Game - A player/team may not intentionally delay the game by not standing when the whistle is blown, failing to move 4 meters from a player on a free position, not wearing a mouthguard, or behaving in any way that delays the game. Illegal Draw - A player may be cited for an illegal draw if she draws too soon, does not move her stick up and away, moves before the whistle after the draw is set up, or if the ball does not go above the heads of the players taking the draw. Out of Bounds - Players may not intentionally kick, run, pass or throw the ball out. Body Ball - a player may not allow any part of her body to deliberately impede, accelerate or change the direction of the ball. However, if the goalkeeper blatantly attempts to stop a shot on goal by playing the ball off her body while outside the goal circle, it shall be called a major foul.
Minor Foul Penalties Outside of the 8-Meter Arc - Umpire awards a free position and moves the fouling player 4 meters away in the direction from which the fouling player came. Within the 12-Meter Fan – Player is given an indirect free position on the nearest spot of the 12-meter fan. On an indirect call, the player with the ball may not shoot; the ball must be played by a teammate before a shot is taken. Play Around the Crease - A player (attacker or defender) must not enter or have any part of her body or stick crossing the plane of the crease at any time, unless she is deputizing for the goalie. The goalie or her deputy must not allow the ball to remain in the crease longer than 10 seconds, and may not re-enter the crease with the ball after leaving with the ball, unless the ball has been played by another player. With both feet inside the crease, the goalie may reach with her stick outside the crease to reach the ball, but she may not cover the ball or draw it into her crease. Fouls Around the Crease - If the defense crosses the line or plane of the crease, she commits a minor foul, and the attacker gets an indirect free position at the 12meter fan. If the attacker crosses the line or plane of the crease, the goalie gets the ball and all of the players on the field must move 4 meters away from the crease. Midfield Play - A restraining line is located 30 yards from each goal area. A team is "offside" if more than 8 defenders (including the goalie) or more than 7 attackers are over the line at any time. Players may exchange places during play, but a player should cross the restraining line before her teammate can enter. Players may reach over the line with their stick to play the ball, as long as no part of their foot is over the line.
MISCONDUCT FOULS 1. Excessively rough, dangerous or unsportsmanlike play 2. Persistent or flagrant violation of the rules 3. Deliberately endangering the safety of an opposing player 4. Baiting or taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others (including players, coaches, umpires or spectators) 5. Excessive mouthing off or abusive language 6. A non-playing team member leaving their team bench area during the game 7. A coach leaving their coaching area 8. Re-entering the game before a Yellow or Red Card penalty time has elapsed 9. Any type of behavior that in the umpire’s opinion amounts to misconduct.
Penalties Cards Green Card – Is given to the team captain for a delay of game. A delay of game is issued when a player continually moves once the whistle is blown (creeping), failure to move 4-meters as directed by the referee, jewelry violation, or improper use of equipment. Yellow Card - First-time penalty, results in the player being removed from the field for three minutes. Any player receiving two yellows sits out for the remainder of the game, but is allowed to play in the next game. Red Card - The result of two yellow cards or a flagrant foul or extremely unsportsmanlike behavior, player is ejected from the game. If the red card is for unsportsmanlike behavior, the player is not permitted to play in the following game. U.S. rules differ in that a red card is not the result of two yellow cards and any player receiving a red card sits out the rest of that game and her team's next game.
Positions Two teams of twelve players are on the field at one time. There are no set boundaries or perimeter lines on the playing field, therefore, no offside violations can occur. Players thus cover the entire length of the field. Positions are determined according to where players can best contribute on the field. In most leagues, unlimited substitutions are allowed during the course of a game.
One of the significant differences between girls and boys lacrosse is that more players take the field in a regulation game on a girls’ team. The following are the positions in the girls’ game and the responsibilities that go along with them. Goalie - The primary role of this position is keeping balls out of the net. A goalie must be quick on her feet and willing to go after loose balls around the crease area. The more confident your goalie is, the more effective she’ll be at turning away the different types of shots she’ll face. Point - After the goalie position, point is the most defensive position on the field. The player handling this position works closely with the goalie, communicating what the opponent is doing and orchestrating where players need to be on the field to counter the attack. Your point player must be a good communicator to help prevent defensive breakdowns from occurring. Because the point player doesn’t stray far from the net, she’s often in position to intercept passes to the middle of the field while defending an attack.
Cover Point - Player’s main task is to cover the opposition’s second home. Good footwork is an asset for excelling in this position because the player must stick with the opponent to deny passes and shots on goal. The cover point player is also relied on to make clearing passes, so she must be proficient at catching passes from the goalie and quickly turning up field to look for teammates who can receive the ball. Third Player - Player’s key responsibility is covering the opposing team’s third home. Attributes for doing well in this position are good reflexes, ability to read the opponent’s attack, and the ability to jump into the passing lanes to intercept balls. Left & Right Defensive Wings - These positions require substantial running, the players’ primary responsibility is to guard the opponent’s left and right attack wings. Center - This position is a magnet of activity on both offense and defense. Because the position requires strong play both with and without the ball, as well as a variety of other skills, the team’s best player usually handles this position. The center patrols the middle of the field. When her team has control of the ball, she looks to step up into the action, where she can feed the ball to the first, second, and third home players. When her team is on defense, she retreats to her team’s defensive half of the field, providing coverage against the opponent’s center, disrupting the passing lanes, and looking to intercept balls delivered by the attack wings. Left & Right Attack Wings - These positions cover a lot of territory as the players carry out supportive roles at the offensive end of the field — most notably, feeding the ball to the players manning the first, second, and third home positions. They must also hustle back on defense to help the left and right defensive wings. Third Home - A team’s offense is enhanced whenever its third home player is an efficient passer. She can feed the ball to the first and second home players, as well as the right and left attack wings. She also takes shots on goal when scoring opportunities arise and creates openings for her to shoot or pass. Second Home - This position is similar to the point guard position in basketball, because the second home orchestrates the offense and makes the passes that help the offense run smoothly and effectively. In lacrosse, this player should be an excellent ball handler, because she’ll likely have the ball on her stick more than most of the other players. The offense will be more difficult to defend if the second home player is a threat to score goals, too. First Home - This position represents the most offensive play on the lacrosse field. The first home’s main responsibilities are to score goals and to deliver accurate passes to teammates who are in scoring position. To excel in this position, a player must be quick and have sound ball-control skills.
Terminology Checking - Two forms of checking are permitted: body and stick check. a) Body Check - occurs when a defending player moves her body in front of an opposing player that has possession of the ball to redirect her progress. b) Stick Check - a defender knocks her stick against an opponent’s stick in an attempt to knock the ball loose. The latter is done with sharp, quick jabs directed away from the face and body of the player being checked. Both styles are legal provided that there is no body contact and that the stick check is neither reckless nor touches any part of the players body. A player may not hold her stick on an opponent’s stick. Clearing - An important defensive maneuver in which defending players run or pass the ball out of their goal area. Clearing is best done along the sidelines, away from the front of the goal. Cradling - When moving with the ball, a player uses her wrists and arms to turn the stick, in order to maintain control of the ball while in the stick pocket. Critical Scoring Area - The semicircle area in front of each teams crease from where most goals are scored. This area includes the twelve-meter fan and the eight-meter arc. Cutting - An offensive player without the ball quickly moves around a defending player or into an open space in order to get free and open to receive a “feed pass.” Fast Break - An offensive team speedily runs the ball up field on an attack to gain a player advantage over the defense. Feed Pass - Used by the offense when they are near the opposing goal. One player passes the ball to a cutting teammate who then takes a shot on goal. Goal Circle (or Crease) - The nine-foot diameter circle surrounding each goal. Only one player is allowed in the goal circle at a time and no player from outside may reach in with her stick. It is also a foul when any player enters the circle while the goalie is in position there.
Ground Balls - Describes the ball loose on the ground. Players will position their bodies in front of opposing players to block them from scooping up the ball. Man-to-Man - A defensive setup in which each defending player guards a specific offensive opponent. Marking - The play of a defender who uses her stick and body to closely guard and follow an opposing offensive player. Passing - Throwing the ball between teammates, done overhand, underhand, or sidearm and sometimes along the ground. Pocket - The head of the lacrosse stick where the ball is held. Depending on the style of the stick, the pocket is strung with either leather or mesh netting. Pick-Up - The manner in which a player picks up a loose ground ball. She crouches toward the ground, slides the pocket of her stick underneath the ball, and lifts it into the netting of her stick. Shooting Space Violation - When a defender is more than a sticks length away from an opponent while inside the critical scoring area in front of her own goal, thereby obstructing incoming shots. Shovel Pass - A short underhand pass used between teammates who are in close proximity to one another. Slashing - A major foul against any player who recklessly stick checks an opponent using a dangerous, sweeping stroke. Stop Play - When a foul occurs or the ball goes out of play, the umpire blows a whistle to stop the game. To restart play or redirect a player, a throw or free position is taken. If play stops as a result of an injury, the ball is given to either the player who held the ball last or who was closest to it before the whistle blew. The official game clock continues to run whenever play has stopped - except during injury time-outs or when the whistle sounds during the last 2-minutes of each half. Zone Defense - When defenders play in specific areas of their defensive zone, rather than covering man-to-man.
Referee Calls
