LACROSSE RULES
For a complete set of women’s lacrosse rules, please refer to the US Lacrosse rule book by clicking here. US Lacrosse is the national governing body of Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse. The US Lacrosse website will keep you informed about new rules changes and you can order an updated rule book.
2009 RULE CHANGES
- Beginning in the 2009 season, no white or clear mouth guards will be allowed. The must be a readily visible color.
- On the shot of a shooter, the shooter may follow through with her crosse over the goal circle. Her shooting motion must be initiated from outside the goal circle.
- A player must not deliberately impede, accelerate, or change the direction of the ball using any part of her body.
LOW ATTACK
Low attack has the responsibility to score the goals. They must have skills at shooting, passing, catching, dodging and cutting. They do not pass the restraining line into the defense area when the opponent attackers have the ball.
MID-FIELD
Mid-field are around the circle when the draw control starts the game. They must be fast runners, have endurance, have catching and passing skills, and have dodging and cutting ability. These players play both sides of the field, attack and defense.
LOW DEFENSE
Low defense has the responsibility to defend their goal from opponents trying to score on their goal. They must be good at stick checking, body checking, intercepting passes, receive clears from the goalie, and be able to clear the ball to the attackers.
GOALKEEPER
The goalkeeper’s responsibility is to protect the goal. She should have good stick-work, courage, and confidence.
EQUIPMENT
The Crosse (stick) is made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. A girl’s crosse must be an overall length of 35 1/2 – 43 1/4 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the side-walls. The goalkeeper’s crosse may be 35 1/2 – 48 inches long. The head of the crosse may be mesh and up to 12 inches wide.
DRAW
A technique to start or resume play by which a ball is placed in between the sticks of two standing players and drawn up and away.
EIGHT-METER ARC
A semi-circular area in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls. A defender may not remain in this area for more than three seconds unless she is within a stick’s length of her opponent.
FREE POSITION
An opportunity awarded to the offense when a major or minor foul is committed by the defense. All players must move four meters away from the player with the ball. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may run, pass or shoot the ball.
FREE SPACE TO GOAL
A cone-shaped path extending from each side of the goal circle to the attack player with the ball. A defense player may not, for safety reasons, stand alone in this area without closely marking an opponent.
GOAL CIRCLE
The circle around the goal with a radius of 2.6 meters (8.5 feet). No player’s stick or body may “break” the cylinder of the goal circle.
GROUNDED
Refers to any part of the goalkeeper’s or deputy’s body touching the ground for support outside of the goal circle when she attempts to play the ball from inside the goal circle.
CLEAR
Any action taken by a player within the goal circle to pass or carry the ball out of the goal circle.
CRITICAL SCORING AREA
An area 15 meters in front of and to each side of the goal and nine meters behind the goal. An eight-meter arc and 12-meter fan are marked in the area.
CROSSE CHECKING
Stick to stick contact consisting of a series of controlled taps in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the crosse.
DEPUTY
A player who enters the goal circle when the goalie is out of the goal circle and her team is in possession of the ball.
THE CROSSE
The crosse (lacrosse stick) is made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material, with a shaped net pocket at the end. A girl’s crosse must be an overall length of 35 1/2 – 43 1/4 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the side-walls. The goalkeeper’s crosse may be 35 1/2 – 48 inches long. The head of the crosse may be mesh and up to 12 inches wide.
THE MOUTHPIECE
All players must wear readily visible color mouth guards (not white or clear).
GOGGLES
Eyewear is mandatory! Every player must wear lacrosse goggles when playing.
THE GOALKEEPER’S EQUIPMENT
The goalkeeper must wear a face mask and helmet with a mouth guard, throat protector, and chest protector. The goalkeeper may wear padding on hands, arms, legs, shoulders, and chest which does not excessively increase the size of those body parts.