What is Lacrosse?
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here for the official rule book.
Men's lacrosse is a contact game played by ten players: a goalkeeper,
three defensemen, three midfielders and three attackmen. The object of the
game is to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the
most goals wins.
Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its
defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half Three players
(midfielders) may roam the entire field.
Generally, games are 60 minutes long, with 20 minute quarters. Each team
is given a two minute break between the first and second quarters, and the
third and fourth quarters. Half-time is ten minutes long.
Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two time-outs
each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it
wants to defend first.
Men's lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between the
sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The official
blows the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries to control the
ball. The players in the wing areas can release; the other players must
wait until one player has gained possession of the ball or the ball has
crossed the goal line.
Center face-offs are also used after a goal and at the start of each
quarter.
Players may run with the ball in the crosse, pass and catch the ball. Only
the goalkeeper may touch the ball with his hands.
A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an
opponent's crosse with a stick check, which includes the controlled poking
and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player in possession of
the ball.
Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball. However, all
contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the
shoulders. An opponent's crosse may also be stick checked if it is within
five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air.
If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the
other team is awarded possession of the ball. If the ball goes out of
bounds after an unsuccessful shot on goal, the player nearest to the ball
when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach
in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.
Positions
ATTACK:
The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. He generally restricts
his play to the offensive end.
MIDDIE: The midfielder's responsibility is
to cover the entire field playing both offense and defense.
DEFENSEMEN: The defenseman's responsibility is to
defend the goal. He generally restricts his play to the defensive end of
the field.
GOALIE: The goalie's responsibility is to protect
the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring.
Penalties
The penalty for a personal foul is a
one to three minute suspension from play and possession to the team that
was fouled. Players with five personal fouls are ejected from the game.
SLASHING: Occurs when
a player's stick contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or
gloved hand on the stick.
TRIPPING: Occurs when a player
obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse. hands. arms.
feet or legs.
CROSS CHECKING: Occurs when a player uses the handle of his
crosse to make contact with an opponent.
UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT: Occurs when any player or coach
commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by an official,
including taunting. obscene language or gestures. and arguing.
UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS: Occurs when a player strikes an opponent
with his stick or body using excessive or violent force.
ILLEGAL CROSSE: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does
not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if
the pocket is too deep or if the crosse was altered to gain an advantage.
ILLEGAL BODY CHECKING: Occurs when any of the following
actions take place (a) body checking of an opponent who is not in
possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball (b) avoidable
body check of an opponent alter he has passed or shot the ball; (c) body
checking of an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist; (d) body
checking of an opponent by a player in which contact is made above the
shoulders of the opponent. A body check must be below the neck, and both
hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with
his crosse.
ILLEGAL GLOVES: Occurs when a player uses gloves that
do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal
if the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if the glove has
been altered in a way that compromises its protective features .
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