Can a Lacrosse Goalie Use His Hands?

Yes, but only inside the crease, and the rules aren't the same for the men's and women's game. Here's exactly what a goalie can and can't do with his hands.

In sports like soccer and hockey, goalies can use their hands to stop, catch or even throw the ball. So what about lacrosse? Can a lacrosse goalie use his hands? Lacrosse has its own unique rules, and knowing them makes the game even more fun to watch and play.

In this article, I'll break down the lacrosse goalie rules and whether goalies can use their hands.

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The role of a lacrosse goalie

The goalie is the last line of defense, standing between the other team's offense and the cage.

Their main job is stopping shots and running the defense, making sure everyone is in the right spot to protect the net. Any goalie who's stood in the cage for a Canadian box game or a Virginia Beach summer tournament will tell you: you're the loudest guy on the field for a reason.

Field players rely completely on their sticks to catch, pass and shoot, but goalies get a few extra privileges. Are their hands one of them?

Can a lacrosse goalie use their hands?

The short answer is yes, but only inside the crease, and only in certain ways.

It depends on whether you're playing men's or women's lacrosse. The two games have different rules for how a goalie can use their hands to stop the ball.

Read more: What are the rules of lacrosse?

Lacrosse goalie rules: can they use their hands?

Under the official rules, goalies can use their hands inside the crease, with some specific limits:

• Block, don't throw. Goalies can use their hands to stop the ball inside the crease, but they can never throw it with their hand. Every pass and clear has to come out of the stick, so goalies use a goalie stick built for the job.
• Men can't catch it. In the men's game, a goalie can block the ball or bat it away with his hand, but he can't close his hand on it, catch it or pick it up.
• Women can place it. In the women's game, a goalie inside the goal circle can pick the ball up with her hand and place it in her stick.
• The crease is protected. Offensive players can't enter the crease or make contact with the goalie there.
• The clock is running. Once a goalie has the ball in the crease, they have to get it out fast: 4 seconds in the men's game and 10 seconds in the women's game.

For the full rule language, check the NCAA men's lacrosse rules and NCAA women's lacrosse rules.

Lacrosse goalie rules: men vs. women

Here are the main differences between men's and women's goalie rules. They're mostly similar, with a few key differences laid out in the table below.

Hands vs. sticks for goalies

Using your hands versus your stick changes a lot about how you play the position. Here's a breakdown.

Advantages and disadvantages of hand use

Here are some pros and cons of letting goalies use their hands.

Advantages

• Hands give goalies quicker reactions on shots, especially the ones that sneak past the stick.
• Batting a ball down with your hand can keep a rebound out of the slot.
• It gives goalies the spotlight, with some highlight-reel saves.

Disadvantages

• Blocking shots with your hands can lead to injuries, especially to the thumb and fingers.
• Misunderstanding the hand rules, like catching the ball in the men's game or touching it outside the crease, gives the ball to the other team.

That's why good goalie gloves matter. I've put together a list of the best goalie gloves to help protect your hands.

Your stick makes the save. Your hands clean up the ones that get past it.

Protect your hands in the cageGoalie gloves built around the thumb, plus the throat guard and head every keeper needs. All at BattleLax.

Goalie glovesMaverik Max Goalie Gloves 2028$189.99 at BattleLax Goalie glovesMaverik M6 Goalie Gloves$115.99 at BattleLax Throat guardCascade TP-S Throat Guard$39.99 at BattleLax Goalie headECD Impact Goalie Head$109.99 at BattleLax

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Comparing lacrosse goalies to other sports

The hand rules are a lot simpler in sports like soccer and hockey. Here's how lacrosse goalies compare to similar positions.

Hockey goalies

Hockey goalies get more freedom with their hands than lacrosse goalies. They can catch the puck in their glove and freeze it to stop play, but they still rely on their stick to pass and play the puck.

Soccer goalies

Soccer goalkeepers can use their hands anywhere inside the penalty area, but they have strict rules about it, like how long they can hold the ball and not handling a back-pass from a teammate.

Coach's note: Young goalies love to reach with their hands. Teach them to save with the stick and body first, and use the hand only to clean up. Step to the ball, top hand out, and let your pads and gloves do the rest.

People also ask

So, can a lacrosse goalie use his hands? Yes, under specific conditions. The goalie is the last line of defense and mostly uses the stick to make saves and clear the ball, but the hand rules add an exciting twist to the position.