Summary of Playing Rules
Box
Lacrosse Playing Surface
Offensive Strategy
Defensive Strategy
Stick Length
Left versus Right Shot
Penalties and Infractions
Change of Possession
30-Second Shot Clock
Short-handed Play (10-Second Rule)
Stuck Ball
Loose Ball Contact
Free Hand
The Goalie Crease
Hand and Kicked Ball
Checking
Checking from Behind
High-Sticking
Slashing
The Draw (Face-Off)
Each team is allowed 6 players on the floor, one goaltender and five runners. Depending on possession, the runners may occupy defensive or offensive positions on the floor shown below. The floor is divided into three zones: an offensive zone, a center zone and a defensive zone. [Top]
Offensive
Strategy
The offensive strategy in Lacrosse is similar to that of basketball.
Once a team has possession of the ball, it may operate a fast break offense
by making a break-away pass or it may operate a ball-controlled offense and
walk the ball down the floor.
Once the ball is in the offensive zone, the team will be looking for a good
one-on-one situation where a player can gain a scoring opportunity or the
team will be attempting to pass to a player in the prime scoring area. There
is no offside or icing in Lacrosse. [Top]
Defensive Strategy
Once a team loses possession of the ball it immediately retreats into its
defensive zone. Most defensive play involves man-to-man coverage. Hockey style
fore-checking does not exist for the same reason as in basketball: the ball
carrier has such good control that it is very unlikely that ball control is
lost. Only near the end of very close games will losing teams press an offensive
team, hoping for a turn-over. [Top]
Stick Length
For Bantam division players and above the Lacrosse stick must
be between 40" and 46" from head to butt end. For Peewee division players
and below the minimum sick length is 36". It is recommended that Peewee division
players and above use senior sticks. [Top]
Players who shoot right (right hand is closest to the head/pocket) play the left side during offense to gain a better shooting angle. Players who shoot left (left hand is closest to the head/pocket) play the right side during offense to gain a better shooting angle. The most skilled Lacrosse players are ambidextrous. [Top]
Penalties and Infractions
Penalties in Lacrosse take three forms: possession change,
minor penalty, major penalty and misconduct. If a possession infraction occurs
then the offending team loses possession of the ball and a member of the non-offending
team takes the ball into play on the referees whistle. Two minute minor penalties
are assessed for infractions such as slashing, elbowing, unnecessary roughness,
cross checking, charging, tripping, deliberate hand contact with the ball
and contact with an opposing goaltender in the crease. [Top]
Change of Possession
The most common change of possession calls are for: shooting
the ball out of the playing area, body contact while chasing a loose ball,
warding off opponents with a free hand and 30 second shot clock violation.
A draw does not take place after
a penalty is called - possession goes to the non-offending team. If the ball
strikes a goalie in the helmet area then possession goes to the goalie. Should
the ball enter the net after striking the goalie in the helmet area, the goal
will be allowed. [Top]
30-Second Shot Clock
If a team is in possession of the ball then the offensive team has 30 seconds
in which to take a shot on net, otherwise possession is lost to the defensive
team. If the offensive team loses control of the ball (due to a missed pass
or missed shot for example) then the 30 second clock will continue to run
as if the offensive team still had possession. The 30 second clock will be
reset only when a shot hits the goalie or the goal posts/crossbar, or when
the defending team gains possession of the ball. [Top]
Shorthanded Play (10-Second Rule)
If a team is shorthanded then it has 10 seconds to get the
ball into the offensive zone, otherwise possession of the ball is lost to
the team with the player advantage. If a team is playing shorthanded and is
in possession of the ball in the offensive zone then the shorthanded team
will automatically lose possession should the ball leave the offensive zone,
i.e., the back-over rule. [Top]
Stuck Ball
Should the ball become lodged in the stick, play will be halted,
the referee will free the ball and play will continue without a change of
possession. [Top]
Loose Ball Contact
If opposing players are chasing after a loose ball, the players
must play the ball and not interfere with each other until ball possession
is gained otherwise possession is awarded to the non-offending team. [Top]
Free Hand
A player in possession of the ball may not ward off defenders with a free
hand or arm (that is not holding onto the stick). This will result in loss
of possession. [Top]
The Goalie Crease
In Lacrosse, the goalie crease is a restricted zone that is
considered to be an imaginary vertical cylinder including the floor line.
Attacking players may not enter the crease of their own free will under any
circumstances, otherwise ball possession is lost. An attacking player may
not reach inside the crease to retrieve a loose ball. If an attacking player
makes contact with the goalie in the crease then a penalty will result. A
defensive player or goalie in possession of the ball outside of the crease
will lose possession if the defensive player or goalie enters the crease in
possession of the ball. The ball must be carried or passed out of the crease
within 5 seconds of gaining possession of the ball in the crease. A player
on the same team as the goalie may enter the crease to retrieve a loose ball
or to accept the ball from the goalie. A goalie is considered to be in the
crease as long as one foot is inside the crease area. [Top]
Hand
and Kicked Ball
Players or goalies out of their crease will be penalized if
they grasp the ball in the hand. If only hand contact is made with the ball
then ball possession changes. The ball may be kicked but not for a goal. [Top]
Stick to stick contact is allowed. Penalties will be assessed if a player strikes an opponent with any part of the stick not held between the hands. Players may defend against the ball carrier anywhere on the floor by pushing against an offensive player with that part of the stick held between the hands. The defensive player is permitted to push (but not strike since striking would result in a cross-checking penalty) with a force sufficient to prevent the offensive players from advancing toward the net. Players may defend against any offensive player by pushing against the offensive player with that part of the stick held between the hands within the dotted semi-circle only. Players will be penalized for charging, checking from behind, cross-checking, boarding, high-sticking and elbowing. [Top]
Checking from Behind
A penalty will be assessed to a player who checks an opponent
from behind. This usually happens when a player in possession of the ball
is being pursued down the floor or when playing a loose ball. This penalty
is dealt with most severely. [Top]
High-Sticking
Contact between a checker's stick and the opposition
player's neck, face or helmet will result in a penalty. [Top]
Slashing
Uncontrolled swinging of the stick will result in a penalty. A penalty will
be assessed if a player in the process of passing or shooting follows through
with the stick and slashes an opponent. A penalty is not called if the defender
moves into the range of the follow through. [Top]
The Draw (Face-Off)
There is always a draw after a goal. The opposing players taking
the draw will be positioned such that their left shoulder points to the opposing
goal. Only the two players taking the draw are allowed in the center zone
until the ball leaves the smaller 2 foot circle. If a player enters the center
zone early, ball possession is given to the non-offending team. [Top]