What is
Lacrosse?
Click
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 48 minutes long, with 12 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.
Personal Fouls
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 .
|
