Lacrosse Rules

Men’s lacrosse is the oldest team sport in North America. Developed by Native Americans as a training game for their braves, lacrosse has become one of the most popular spring sports in colleges throughout the United States and Canada. It is played with ten men at a time (goalie, three defensemen, three midfielders, three attackmen). The object is to shoot the solid rubber ball into a 6’ by 6’ goal. The defense stops the offense by either knocking the ball from the opponent’s stick or by knocking the opponent down. Lacrosse is a full contact sport requiring those who play to wear helmets, shoulder pads, arm pads, and gloves. Unlimited substitution during the game (similar to hockey) allows everyone ample playing time.

Play is started each quarter and after goals are scored with a faceoff at midfield. The faceoff is limited to the midfielders – defensemen, attackmen, and goalies are restricted to their ends of the field (behind the restraining line) until the official rules one team has established possession. With possession, all players are free to move across the restraining lines. Four players (usually the goalie and three defensemen) are restricted to their defensive half of the field, while three players (usually the attackmen) are restricted to their offensive half of the field. Midfielders play the entire field; and therefore, fresh midfield lines are continually being substituted. Additionally, if a midfielder stays on the required side of the midfield (center) line, a goalie, defenseman, or attackman could cross the line. Thus, goalies occasionally make a save and then run the length of the field to shoot at the opposing goal.

Lacrosse has a unique rule for shots. When the ball is shot at goal but misses and goes out of bounds, the closest team to the ball when it goes out of bounds is awarded possession. Thus, teams typically keep at least one attackman behind the goal so that his team will keep possession on missed shots.

Like hockey, severe penalties result in time in the penalty box (tripping, hitting from behind, hits to the helmet, overly aggressive checks with the stick (called slashing), etc.). The penalized team must then play with one less man on defense for the length of the penalty (usually one minute). Fights result in immediate expulsion for the game and the next two games. Minor fouls result in loss of possession or awarding the loose ball to the opposition.