Language, Game Play and Rules:
Just like any sport, Lacrosse has many rules, but the following are the basic rules, the rules you need to know to play, the rest are trivial rules. For more rules, look on the official website.
Scoring – The teams score points by getting the ball into their respective nets. One point per goal. Most women’s games score between 4 and 15 points, sometimes more, unlike men’s lacrosse which is a much lower scoring game.
The Field – The game is played on a standard football field with markings at both 30 yard lines, marking the restraining lines, the goal sits with its mouth on the 0 yard line and there is 10 yards of playing space behind the net. There are also 3 markings around the goal. The first is a 5-meter diameter circle that the goal sits in, no player except the goalie may step in this circle. The second is called the 8-meter arc and is 8 meters out from the goalie circle, defenders cannot be in this arc without clearly guarding someone. The third is another 4 meters out from the 8 meter arc, anyone can be in this arc. Around both arcs there are markings every 4 feet, players set up on these during the case of a free shot and most penalties in the within 20 yards of the goal.
Just like any sport, Lacrosse has many rules, but the following are the basic rules, the rules you need to know to play, the rest are trivial rules. For more rules, look on the official website.
Scoring – The teams score points by getting the ball into their respective nets. One point per goal. Most women’s games score between 4 and 15 points, sometimes more, unlike men’s lacrosse which is a much lower scoring game.
The Field – The game is played on a standard football field with markings at both 30 yard lines, marking the restraining lines, the goal sits with its mouth on the 0 yard line and there is 10 yards of playing space behind the net. There are also 3 markings around the goal. The first is a 5-meter diameter circle that the goal sits in, no player except the goalie may step in this circle. The second is called the 8-meter arc and is 8 meters out from the goalie circle, defenders cannot be in this arc without clearly guarding someone. The third is another 4 meters out from the 8 meter arc, anyone can be in this arc. Around both arcs there are markings every 4 feet, players set up on these during the case of a free shot and most penalties in the within 20 yards of the goal.
Cradling – Cradling is how a player carries the ball. She holds the stick so the pocket is at the same height as her face, and rocks it back and forth as she runs, the rocking motion prevents the ball from falling.
Passing – “Passing” is the term to describe how a player throws the ball to another. The motion is usually similar to shooting a slingshot from over the shoulder, although there are many different ways people choose to pass.
Shooting – “Shooting” is passing to a goal rather than a person. It’s the same motion as passing, just a different destination.
Off Sides – Each team is only allowed to have a maximum of 7 players past the restraining line farthest from their goal. If a team breaks this rule game play will stop and the ball will be given to the opposing team.
The Sphere – Since women’s lacrosse doesn’t have helmets they use an imaginary helmet called the “sphere.” The sphere is the area within 7 inches of the player’s face. If anyone’s stick, or anything else for that matter, crosses into the sphere it’s a foul and the team who the foul was committed against gains possession of the ball. Cradling in the player’s own sphere is a foul as well.
Checking – Checking is hitting another girl’s stick with one’s own stick. There are many rules regarding checking, there are three that they all come from though. First, checking is only allowed on stick holding the ball, otherwise it’s called an “empty check.” Second, checking can only happen on the head of the stick or the back end of the stick, near the butt. Third, when checking, a player’s stick cannot cross over the body of the other person or interfere with their running.
Passing – “Passing” is the term to describe how a player throws the ball to another. The motion is usually similar to shooting a slingshot from over the shoulder, although there are many different ways people choose to pass.
Shooting – “Shooting” is passing to a goal rather than a person. It’s the same motion as passing, just a different destination.
Off Sides – Each team is only allowed to have a maximum of 7 players past the restraining line farthest from their goal. If a team breaks this rule game play will stop and the ball will be given to the opposing team.
The Sphere – Since women’s lacrosse doesn’t have helmets they use an imaginary helmet called the “sphere.” The sphere is the area within 7 inches of the player’s face. If anyone’s stick, or anything else for that matter, crosses into the sphere it’s a foul and the team who the foul was committed against gains possession of the ball. Cradling in the player’s own sphere is a foul as well.
Checking – Checking is hitting another girl’s stick with one’s own stick. There are many rules regarding checking, there are three that they all come from though. First, checking is only allowed on stick holding the ball, otherwise it’s called an “empty check.” Second, checking can only happen on the head of the stick or the back end of the stick, near the butt. Third, when checking, a player’s stick cannot cross over the body of the other person or interfere with their running.
Fouls – There are a number of petty rules lacrosse players can be called on for. The most common are the ones mentioned above and these will generally end up with the opposing team gaining possession of the ball. Some fouls, such as if a player hits, accidentally or on purpose, a member of another team with her stick, will result in a 2 minute timeout for that player. In such a case, no substitution is allowed and the team is left missing a player. Minor fouls may result in merely a pause in game play or change of possession of the ball, usually depending on the referee. These minor fouls can be things like not wearing a mouth guard or wearing jewelry.