Men's Lacrosse: The Game

Field size
Game time
Positions
Penalties

Field size

The field dimensions in men's lacrosse are 115 yards by 60 yards. Markings on the field include:

• Restraining line which is 35 yards from the end line
• Midfield line which is half the distance from each end line (55 yards). In the midfield line is a 4-inch square directly in the center of the field
• The goal cage is 15 yards from the end line and sits inside a crease
• The crease is 9 feet in radius
• A wing area (20 yards long from each side of the center line and 10 yards in from each sideline)
• Attack area (40 yards long from the end line and 10 yards in from each sideline)
• Defensive area (40 yards long from the end line and 10 yards in from each sideline)
• Substitution area is 10 yards in length between the coaches areas
  
  

Game time

College: Four 15-minute periods

• Two-minute break between quarters and a 10-minute halftime break
• Clock stops after every goal and every foul
• Two time-outs per half

High School: Four 12-minute quarters

• Two-minute break between quarters and a 10-minute halftime break
• Clock stops after goals and after every foul
• Two time outs per half

JV, Middle School, Youth: Four 10-minute quarters

• Two-minute break between quarters and a 10-minute halftime break
• Full-running clock in most leagues; by middle school, clock stops after goals and fouls
• Two time outs per half
  

Positions

There are 10 players on the field in men's lacrosse positioned as follows:

1 Goalie- protects the goal cage and stops shots

3 Defenders -mark players and defend the goal, restrict play to the defensive side of the field; good footwork and defensive instinct

3 Midfielders -play all around the field, both offense and defense; need endurance and speed as well as solid stick skills

3 Attackers -main responsibility is to score goals; restrict play to the attack area of the field; good stick work and quickness for this position

Penalties

Personal Fouls = one- to three-minute suspension from play (team plays a man down)

Technical Fouls = 30 second suspension from play if player who committed the infraction is in possession of the ball; otherwise, the ball is turned over to the other team

Ejection from the game = occurs if a player has five personal fouls

Personal Fouls
Cross Checking -extending shaft (handle) of stick between both hands and making contact with opponent

Illegal Crosse -a crosse or pocket that does not meet specifications

Illegal Body Check -illegal body checking is called if the body check is: 1) above the shoulder, 2) below the waist or from behind, 3) when the opponent does not have the ball, 4) when the opponent no longer has the ball and 5) when the opponent is within 5 yards of a loose ball

Illegal Gloves -using gloves that do not conform to specifications

Slashing -hard, swinging check hitting the opponent rather than the stick or glove

Tripping -obstructs player at or below the waist

Unsportsmanlike Conduct -any unsportsmanlike behavior

Unnecessary Roughness -striking opponent with excessive violence or force

Technical Fouls
Crease Violation

Interference -interfering in the free movement of your opponent who does not have the ball

Holding -when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or the crosse

Off sides -there must be four defensive players behind the midfield line (when on attack) or three offensive players behind the midfield line (when on defense)

Pushing -a player is pushed from behind

Screening -making contact to keep a defender from staying with the player he is marking

Stalling -intentionally holding the ball to take time off the clock and not running a normal offensive attack

Warding off -when a player with the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold off or push away the direction of a defender's stick check


Visit the US Lacrosse web site to download a rule book or for additional information.

Visit  NCAA Men's Lacrosse web site to download a rule book or for additional information.