The rules presented below are for the men's game, which differs significantly from
women's lacrosse. Field lacrosse involves two teams, each competing to shoot a
lacrosse ball into the opposing team's goal. A lacrosse ball is made out of solid
rubber, measuring 7.75 to 8 inches (19.7–20 cm) in
circumference and weighing 5 to 5.25 ounces (140–149 g). Traditionally in the men's game the ball is white in color while in the women's game a yellow ball is used. In recent years the
Premier Lacrosse League has adopted an "optic yellow" ball (similar in color to a
tennis ball) for easier visibility on television broadcasts. Yellow, orange, or optic yellow balls are also permitted in adverse weather conditions or other special circumstances. Each team plays with ten players on the field: a goalkeeper; three defenders in the defensive end; three
midfielders free to roam the whole field; and three attackers attempting to score goals in the offensive end. Players are required to wear some protective equipment, and must carry a
lacrosse stick (or crosse) that meets specifications. Rules dictate the length of the game, boundaries, and allowable activity. Penalties are assessed by officials for any transgression of the rules.
Playing area A standard lacrosse field is in length from each endline, and in width from the sidelines. Field lacrosse goals are centered between each sideline, positioned from each endline and apart from one another. Positioning the goals well within the endlines allows play to occur behind them. The goal is wide by tall, with nets attached in a pyramid shape. Surrounding each goal is a circular area known as the "crease," measuring in
diameter. If an official deems that a team is "stalling," that is not moving with offensive purpose while controlling the ball, the possessing team must keep the ball within the offensive restraining box to avoid a loss-of-possession penalty. Field markings dictate player positioning during a
face-off. A face-off is how play is started at the beginning of each period and after each goal. During a face-off, there are six players (without considering goalkeepers) in each of the areas defined by the restraining lines. Three midfielders from each team occupy the midfield area, while three attackmen and three of the opposing team's defensemen occupy each offensive area. These players must stay in these areas until possession is earned by a midfielder or the ball crosses either restraining line. Wing areas are marked on the field on the midfield line from each sideline. This line indicates where the two nonface-off midfielders per team lineup during a face-off situation. These players may position themselves on either side of the midfield line. Traditionally players used sticks made by Native American craftsman. These were expensive and, at times, difficult to find. The introduction of the plastic heads in the 1970s gave players an alternative to the wooden stick,
Players Goalkeeper The goalkeeper's responsibility is to prevent the opposition from scoring by directly defending the by goal. Goalkeepers have special privileges when they are in the crease, a circular area surrounding each goal with a
radius of . Offensive players may not play the ball or make contact with the goalkeeper while he is in the crease. Once a goalkeeper leaves the crease, he loses these privileges. A goalkeeper's equipment differs from other players'. Instead of shoulder pads and elbow pads, the goalkeeper wears a chest protector. He also wears special "goalie gloves" that have extra padding on the thumb to protect from shots. The head of a goalkeeper's crosse may measure up to wide, significantly larger than field players'. Unless a defenseman gets the ball and chooses to run up the field and try to score or pass, by doing this they will need to cross the midfield line and signal one midfielder to stay back. A defenseman carries a long crosse which provides an advantage in reach for intercepting passes and checking. Tactics used by defensemen include body positioning and checking. Checking is attempting to dispossess the opposition of the ball through body or stick contact. A check may include a "poke check", where a defenseman thrusts his crosse at the top hand or crosse of the opponent in possession of the ball (similar to a
billiards shot), or a "slap check", where a player applies a short, two-handed slap to the hand or crosse of the opponent in possession of the ball. A "body check" is allowed as long as the ball is in possession or a loose ball is within five yards of the opposing player and the contact is made to the front or side of the
torso of the opposing player.
Midfielders Midfielders contribute offensively and defensively and may roam the entire playing area. Each team fields three midfielders at a time. One midfielder per team may use a long crosse, Some teams also designate midfielders as "offensive midfielders" or "defensive midfielders" depending on their strengths and weaknesses.
Attackmen Each team fields three attackmen at a time, and these players generally remain on the offensive half of the field. Attackmen are commonly attributed as the players most responsible for shooting and scoring goals against the opposing teams goalie. The attackmen are also responsible for stopping the goalie and defensemen when they attempt to perform a "clear" (when the goalie has saved a shot and is attempting to return the ball to their attackmen).
Duration and tie-breaking methods Duration of games depends upon the level of play. In international competition,
college lacrosse, and
Major League Lacrosse, the total playing time is 60 minutes, composed of four 15-minute quarters, plus a 15-minute intermission at halftime. International lacrosse plays two straight 5-minute overtime periods, and then applies the sudden victory rule if the score is still tied.
Personal fouls Personal fouls (PF) include slashing, tripping, illegal body checking, cross checking,
unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, and equipment violations. While a stick-check (where a player makes contact with the opposition player's stick in order to knock the ball loose) is legal, a slashing violation is called when a player viciously makes contact with an opposing player or his stick. An illegal body check penalty is called for any contact where the ball is further than for high school and for youth from the contact, the check is from behind, above the shoulders or below the knees, or was avoidable after the player has released the ball. Cross checking, where a player uses the shaft of his stick to push the opposition player off balance, is illegal in field lacrosse. Both unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness are subject to the officiating crew's discretion, while equipment violations are governed strictly by regulations. Any deliberate intent to injure opponents risks immediate disqualification. For penalties resulting in a player being suspended from the game, a substitute player must serve the offender's penalty time.
Technical fouls Technical fouls include holding, interference, pushing, illegal offensive
screening (usually referred to as a "moving pick"), "warding off", stalling, and off-sides. A screen, as employed in
basketball strategy, is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, or receive a pass; as in basketball players must remain stationary when screening. Warding off occurs when an offensive player uses his free hand to control the stick of an opposing player. Offside has a unique implementation in field lacrosse. Instituted with rule changes in 1921, it limits the number of players that are allowed on either side of the midfield line. A technical foul requires that the defenseman who fouled a player on the opposing team be placed in the penalty box for 30 seconds. As with a personal foul, until the penalty time expires, no replacement for the player is allowed and the team must play one man short. The player (or a replacement) is allowed to reenter the game once the time in the penalty box is over and the team is thus once again at full strength. == Domestic competition ==