In lacrosse, two teams try to score by shooting a small rubber ball into the opponent’s 6-by-6-foot goal using sticks with a netted pocket. Players can run with the ball, pass it and shoot, but only the goalie may touch the ball with their hands, and only inside the crease. Men’s field lacrosse uses 10 players per side (three attackers, three midfielders, three defenders and a goalie) and allows body checking at older levels, while women’s field lacrosse traditionally uses 12 players per side and limits contact, with no body checking. Men’s games restart with a face-off and women’s games with a draw. Fouls lead to penalty time in the men’s game and free positions in the women’s game. Details vary by level and governing body, so always check the rulebook that applies to you.
The object of the game
A goal is scored when the ball fully crosses the goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team with more goals at the end wins. Games are usually divided into quarters or halves, with length depending on level. Players move the ball by running while cradling, passing to teammates and scooping ground balls. Defenders try to take the ball away with legal stick checks and positioning, and in men’s lacrosse, legal body checks. Because possession is so valuable, winning ground balls, face-offs and draws is a big part of the game.
Men’s vs women’s field lacrosse
| Rule area | Men’s field | Women’s field |
|---|---|---|
| Players | 10 (3 attack, 3 midfield, 3 defense, 1 goalie) | 12 traditionally |
| Restart | Face-off | Draw |
| Contact | Body checks allowed at older levels | Limited; no body checking |
| Sticks | Short sticks and long poles; deeper pockets allowed | One stick length range; shallower pockets |
| Protective gear | Helmet, gloves, shoulder and arm pads, mouthguard | Goggles and mouthguard; headgear rules vary |
| Fouls | Personal and technical fouls with penalty time | Major and minor fouls with free positions |
| Offside | At least 4 players in the defensive half and 3 in the offensive half | Restraining line rules limit numbers in each end |
Players and positions
In men’s lacrosse, attackers play mainly in the offensive end and focus on scoring and feeding. Midfielders play both ends and must follow offside rules. Defenders protect their goal and often carry long poles. The goalie defends the crease and directs the defense. Teams may also use a long-stick midfielder, and many teams use face-off specialists. Women’s lacrosse has similar roles with more players on the field, typically divided among attack, midfield and defense positions. Substitutions are made on the fly through a substitution area near the benches, and sometimes during stoppages.
Face-offs and draws
In men’s lacrosse, each quarter and each goal is followed by a face-off at the center of the field. Two players crouch with their stick heads on either side of the ball, and on the whistle they battle to win possession. Wing players start on the wing lines and rush in once the ball is live. In women’s lacrosse, the draw takes place at the center circle. The ball is placed between the backs of two players’ stick heads held at hip level, and on the whistle they lift their sticks up and away, sending the ball into the air. Restrictions on how many players may be near the circle during the draw vary by rules.
Body contact and checking
In men’s lacrosse, legal body checks are allowed on the player with the ball or a player within a few yards of a loose ball, as long as contact is from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, with both hands on the stick. Checks to the head and neck, checks from behind and hits on defenseless players are illegal. Youth levels often restrict or ban body checking. In women’s lacrosse, body checking is not allowed. Stick checks are allowed with limits, and players may not check toward the head or make contact within a sphere around the head.
Fouls and penalties
Men’s personal fouls include slashing, illegal body checks, cross-checking, tripping and unnecessary roughness. The player serves time in the penalty area, usually one to three minutes, and the team plays a player down. Serious or repeated fouls can lead to ejection. Men’s technical fouls include offside, pushing, holding, interference and crease violations. They usually result in a change of possession or a 30-second penalty if the offending team does not have the ball.
Women’s fouls are divided into major and minor fouls. Major fouls, such as dangerous checks, blocking and illegal defensive positioning in the 8-meter arc, often result in a free position for the fouled player on the 8-meter arc. Minor fouls, such as covering a ground ball or illegal body contact with the stick, typically result in a free position from the spot of the foul or outside the 12-meter fan. Officials may also issue green, yellow and red cards for misconduct depending on the rules in use.
Offside, the crease and the shot clock
Offside rules keep teams balanced. In men’s field lacrosse, teams must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in their defensive half and at least three in their offensive half. Women’s lacrosse uses restraining line rules to limit how many players can be in each end. Attackers generally may not enter the crease, and defenders have rules about how they can play inside it. Many levels use a shot clock to keep play moving, and some use stall warnings. The exact rules on timing, shot clocks and substitutions depend on the level of play.
Stick and equipment rules
Sticks must meet rules for length, head width and pocket depth. In men’s lacrosse, short sticks are used by attackers and most midfielders, while long poles are used by defenders and long-stick midfielders. Officials can inspect sticks, and illegal sticks can lead to penalties. Men’s players wear helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, arm pads and mouthguards. Women’s players wear goggles and mouthguards, and headgear rules have evolved at some levels. Goalies in both games wear helmets, throat guards, chest protectors and gloves.
Rulebook note
Rules vary between men’s and women’s lacrosse and between governing bodies such as World Lacrosse, the NCAA, USA Lacrosse and the NFHS for US high schools. Box lacrosse and sixes have their own rules as well. Rules are updated regularly, so check the current rulebook for your level.
How to learn the rules quickly
- Learn the basics: number of players, scoring, face-off or draw.
- Understand the field lines: midfield, restraining lines and the crease.
- Study common fouls for your game.
- Watch games and pay attention to official signals.
- Read the rulebook for your level and ask your coach questions.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Offside violations from not tracking the midfield line.
- Stepping into the crease on shots and dodges.
- Illegal checks to the head or from behind.
- Using an illegal stick with a pocket that is too deep.
- Confusing men’s and women’s rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many players are on a lacrosse team?
Men’s field lacrosse uses 10 players per side, women’s field lacrosse traditionally uses 12, box lacrosse uses 6 including the goalie, and sixes uses 6 per side.
Is body checking allowed in lacrosse?
In men’s lacrosse, legal body checks are allowed at older levels. Women’s lacrosse does not allow body checking.
What happens when a foul is called in lacrosse?
In men’s lacrosse, personal fouls lead to penalty time and technical fouls usually lead to a change of possession or 30 seconds. In women’s lacrosse, fouls usually result in free positions.
