This is BOYS Lacrosse Information only
How to play Lacrosse - the Object
The object of lacrosse is to score the most points. Points are scored when a player kicks, nudges, bats with the stick, or throws with their stick the very hard tennis sized rubber ball into the opponents net. Players cannot use their hands to throw the ball into the net.
How to play Lacrosse - the Length of play
Games are divided into four timed quarters. The length of the quarter depends on the age group of the game being played.
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Youth quarters are typically 10-12 minutes long.
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High School quarters are 12 minutes.
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College, Pro, and International games have 15 minute quarters.
At the end of each quarter teams must switch ends.
When time runs out at the end of the fourth quarter the team with the most points wins. Ties are decided by sudden death playoffs.
How to Play Lacrosse - the Field layout
The basic layout of a lacrosse field utilizing NCAA rules is 110 yards long by 60 yards wide. As compared to a football field which is 120 yards including the end zones by 53 1/3 yards wide.
Lacrosse rules have been modified for most
high school and
youth organizations, so that a standard american football field can be utilized. Goal nets are 6' x 6' and reside within a 9' circle called the crease. The net is positioned 15 yards from the end line giving about 13.5 yards between the back of the crease and the end line.
How to play Lacrosse - lacrosse Positions
Men's Field Lacrosse is played with 10 players.
3 Attackmen
3 Midfielders
3 Defenders
1 Goalie
Click here to: see a diagram of the positions on the field.
How to Play Lacrosse - basic Play
Play begins with a face off in the center Face-off square or circle. The lacrosse face off is similar to a hockey face off. Two opponents face each other and try to win possession of the ball. The lacrosse face off is
different because the two players basically start on their
hands and feet with their sticks laying along the center line, and the ball between the heads of the sticks. At the officials signal each player can employ a number of different
lacrosse face off skills and tactics to win possession of the ball, but there is no substitute for being quick or powerful. Most often the ball will be knocked or passed to a player other than the two fighting for the ball in the face off. Once a player is able to pick the ball up with their stick possession occurs. The object is to get close enough to the opponents net to throw the ball into the net scoring a goal. A goal counts as one point. In
Major League (professional) Lacrosse there is a two point line where goals shot from behind that line score two points, but that is the only place the two point rule is in effect.
Offensive players maneuver down the field toward the goal by running with or passing the ball to a team mate. Players can run the entire length of the field as long as they are not offside's by not leaving enough players in the defensive end.
Offensive players cannot enter the crease area that surrounds the goal. The crease is a circle that surrounds the goal and it is where the goalie works. Defensive players can enter the crease area. If an offensive player enters the crease, it is a crease violation and position goes to the opponent. Offensive layers cannot go into their own crease either unless they gain possession while in the crease they can take the ball out.
How to Play Lacrosse - transition Timing
If the goalie makes a save and gains possession of the ball he must pass or take the ball out of the crease within 4 seconds or the ball will be awarded back to the opponent.
As the ball is transitioned from the defensive end toward the offensive end the offensive team has 20 seconds to cross midfield. Once they cross midfield they have 10 seconds to move into the attack area. These time restrictions help greatly to keep teams from going into a shell. They must move the ball or possession is lost.
How to play Lacrosse - unique Rules
One of the real different
rules in lacrosse is that when a player takes a shot and the ball travels
out of bounds the team that is closest to the line where the ball went out of bounds has possession. Often the offense will position a player behind the goal so that when a shot is made they will be closest to the spot where the ball went out of bounds when the ball goes out of bounds. You will also see the goalie sprint toward the back line when a shot is made to try to be the closest to the line so that the defensive team will gain possession. The stick is an extension of the player so they will thrust their stick toward the line to be closest.
Another fantastic rule is that after a score there is a face off. So the team who just scored could easily gain possession again by winning the face off and this leads to runs where a team may score several unanswered goals which allows a team to come back and it is one of the reasons why lacrosse is such a tremendously exciting game.
Checking is a basic
lacrosse skill. There are two different types of check that can be employed. Stick Checks and Body checks. Stick checks can be made as long as the attempt is to try to contact the opponents stick. And in some of the older aged divisions body checks can happen as long as the check is to the body above the waist and below the neck.
The goal of the game is to score the most goals, but the real challenge is in maintaining possession of the ball until a shot can be made. Once a player establishes possession keeping it is not easy. Defending players attack the stick of the player in possession and try to knock the ball loose with their own stick. This is called stick checking. They can also hit the ball carrier or anyone within 5 yards of a loose ball with their shoulder like a football block. This is called a body check and is legal as long as it not from behind, above the waist, and below the shoulder.
If you are looking for how to play lacrosse information on a particular skill go to Lacrosse Skills.
If you are looking for how to play lacrosse information on how to coach a particular skill go to
Lacrosse Drills.
How to Play Lacrosse - lacrosse Penalties
There are two types of penalties – Technical fouls and Personal fouls.
Personal fouls - Slashing, Tripping, Illegal Cross Checking, and checking from behind a player are usually given 1 minute penalties. Penalties can be increased to 2 or 3 minutes or even ejection can be assessed for major or especially sever personal fouls.
Technical fouls such as - Offside's, Crease violations, pushing from the rear, thumbing. and Warding Off constitute a loss of possession.
How to Play Lacrosse - playing a Man Down
When a personal foul penalty occurs and a one minute (or longer) penalty is assessed the offending player is remove to the
penalty area in front of the scorers table. The player must remain in the penalty area until the penalty has been served.
You can find an official rule book at the
US lacrosse web site and check with your particular association for specific rules.
We strongly suggest players go to YouTube.com to find short instructional videos, tips, and tricks, as well as some great game action to get a feel for how the game should be played.
