What Are the Rules of Lacrosse?

A beginner's guide to the field, equipment, positions, game structure, scoring, penalties, faceoffs and more, from a coach who's taught the game from Ontario to Virginia Beach.

Lacrosse is a thrilling game packed with fun and excitement, and of course, a set of rules that make it even better.

As a beginner, it can be hard to learn all the rules at once. Don't worry. I put together this guide to cover the basics, including:

• The field and equipment requirements
• Players and their positions
• The overall game structure
• The key rules followed in most versions of lacrosse

Alright, players, time to learn the basics.

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Field markings and equipment

Let's start with the field and the gear. Like any field sport, lacrosse has strict rules about field markings and legal equipment to keep the game fair.

Field dimensions and markings

• The field is a rectangle, 110 yards long and 60 yards wide for men's field lacrosse.
• There's a goal at each end. Each goal is 6 feet wide by 6 feet tall, and the goals sit 80 yards apart.
• Each goal sits inside a circle called the crease, about 18 feet across.

Equipment requirements

Lacrosse is a fast game, and you can't play it without the right gear. Men's field players need a helmet, shoulder pads, gloves, a stick (head and shaft) and, of course, a ball.

You'll also need a mouthguard and other pads like arm pads (things get nasty sometimes), depending on the version of the game, age group and league. Every helmet, shoulder pad and goalie chest protector also has to meet the NOCSAE standard for your level.

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Players and positions

Each team has 10 players on the field, each with their own role and position.

You might be wondering why it's 10 when a lot of team sports play 11. It is what it is. Back in the day, games could have hundreds or even thousands of players a side, and it was more than just a sport. Pretty wild, right? Learn more about where lacrosse originated (timeline included).

Players on the field for each team

• 3 attackmen
• 3 midfielders
• 3 defensemen
• 1 goalie

Read more: Lacrosse positions explained

Goalie rules and equipment

Each team only gets one goalie, so the position comes with high stakes and strict rules:

• The goalie is the only player who can touch the ball with a hand, and only inside the crease.
• When the goalie has the ball in the crease, they get 4 seconds to pass it or carry it out (at the high school level).
• Once the goalie makes a save, the team has 20 seconds to clear the ball over the midfield line.

The goalie's stick has the biggest head on the field. Goalies have to wear a helmet, a throat guard, thick goalie gloves, a chest protector and a mouthguard, and most add a cup and padded pants for extra protection. Who wouldn't want the extra gear with 100+ mph shots coming at them?

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Read more: goalie heads, goalie shafts, goalie chest protectors, goalie helmets, goalie gloves and goalie gear

Substitution rules

Lacrosse lets you sub freely during play, called "substituting on the fly." The player coming off heads to the substitution box, and the sub comes on.

• The sub can't leave the box until the player coming off has reached it. If the sub jumps on early, it's a "too many men on the field" violation.

Game structure

Let me keep it simple. Here's how a typical game breaks down.

Game length and periods

• At the higher levels, a men's game is 60 minutes of game time.
• The game is split into four quarters. NCAA women's lacrosse switched from two halves to four quarters too.
• Each quarter is 15 minutes long.
• There's a short two-minute break between quarters and a halftime of about 10 minutes.
• Teams get a set number of timeouts (two per half in high school), taken when their team has the ball or during a dead ball.

Note: Times vary by level and version of the game. Here are a few:

Read more: How long is a lacrosse game?

Overtime rules

Lacrosse overtime is sudden victory. The first team to score wins. If neither team scores in an overtime period, they keep playing more overtime periods until someone does.

Basic gameplay rules

Every version of lacrosse shares the same basic rules both teams have to follow.

Scoring goals

• Teams score by shooting the ball into the other team's net.
• Each goal counts for one point.
• Any player can score.
• The team with the most goals at the end wins.
• In some leagues, like the PLL, goals from behind the two-point arc are worth two points.

Read more: How lacrosse scoring works

Possession

Players try to keep the ball within their team to score. Nobody but the goalie can touch the ball with a hand. Everyone else can only use their stick.

• Teams can't stall or hold the ball forever without trying to score.
• Once you're over midfield on offense, you can't pass or carry the ball back over it. That's an over-and-back violation.
• Offensive players can't step into the crease. That's a crease violation and a turnover.

Penalties

Now that you know how to score, let's cover penalties. They vary by version of the game, age group and level. Here are some of the common ones:

Read more: How to play lacrosse

Legal and illegal moves

Here are the legal moves players can use:

And here are the illegal moves that get you flagged, depending on how serious the foul is:

How to check the right way

• Keep both hands on your stick when you body check.
• Only check a player who has the ball or is within about 5 yards of a loose ball.
• Only make contact between the waist and the shoulders.
• Never hit a player from behind.
• If a player has a knee on the ground, you can't body check them until they're up.

Read more: Is lacrosse a contact sport?

Offside and restraining line rules

The restraining lines keep players in position, so there are a few rules to follow:

These rules keep things balanced on faceoffs and in transition between offense and defense. Break them and you're offside, which means a turnover or a time-serving penalty.

How faceoffs work

Here's a simple guide to the faceoff:

Read more: Best faceoff heads and best faceoff shafts

Lacrosse officials and their roles

Here are the officials and what each one does during a game:

Men's vs. women's lacrosse rules

Women's lacrosse is a little different. It doesn't allow body checking and only allows limited stick checking, while men's lacrosse is a full-contact game with tougher penalty and conduct rules.

The gear is different too. Women wear goggles and a mouthguard, with optional soft headgear, instead of a full helmet and pads, and their sticks have shallower pockets.

Read more: When is the lacrosse season?

Specific game situations

A lot of lacrosse rules apply to specific situations and levels. Here are some common ones to watch for:

Goals and assists

Players score by shooting the ball into the other team's net for one point each. They can only use their sticks to carry or pass the ball to teammates, and offensive players have to stay out of the crease when they shoot.

Sportsmanship and conduct

Lacrosse conduct guidelines set the standard for a game built on respect, fairness and sportsmanship. Good sportsmanship means:

• Respecting your coaches, teammates and opponents
• Playing fair, with honesty, humility and grace
• Never arguing, taunting, cheating or disrespecting the officials
• Putting every player's safety first

Coach's note: The game started with the Haudenosaunee as the Creator's Game, and whether I'm coaching box kids in Ontario, youth teams in Virginia Beach or high schoolers in upstate New York, I tell them the same thing: respect the game. Learn the rules, shake hands after, and never take a cheap shot. The refs will notice, and so will everyone watching.

Gear up

Got the rules down? Here's what you need to hit the field.

Game-day checklistBalls and cleats to round out your kit.

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People also ask

Now that you know the rules of lacrosse, you're ready to learn more about the game. Gear up, grab your stick and get on the field. Play with heart, keep it fair, stay behind your restraining line and follow the rules. Have fun, and make every moment on the field count.