Player Rules
The Westwood lacrosse team is strictly governed by rules established by the US Lacrosse Association, RRISD, and the bylaws of the Westwood Lacrosse Parents Club. Westwood lacrosse team rules are easy to understand - everything we do, on and off the field, will be centered on "respect" for the game, for the coaches, for your teammates, and for yourself. The concept is simple, and together we require that each member of the squad lives up to it. Each player is required to sign a Players Code of Conduct (as well as several other forms) before the season starts.
A Brief History of the Game
A quick overview of the development of lacrosse.The history is a PDF file which is great for printing, but you need to have the (free) Acrobat Reader which you can get at Adobe.
Basic Rules
A quick overview of game basics for those more familiar with football, baseball, and basketball.
Fundamentals of lacrosse - "The Basics"
Although lacrosse is becoming increasingly popular, it's still a relatively unknown sport. So, if you haven't seen it yet, here's a short course on how it's played, rules, tactics, etc.
The field - Lacrosse is played on a field slightly larger than a football field (110 yds by 60 yds), the objective of lacrosse is to score more goals than your opponent. A goal is scored by throwing or knocking a hard rubber ball into your opponent's goal (a 6' by 6' iron goal with a net similar to those used in soccer or hockey - this is also called the cage). It is marked into sections. A line cutting the field in half delineates the offensive and defensive zones. Goals at each end of the field are set 15 yds from the end lines in the middle of a 9' radius circle (called the crease). The goalie, defending the cage, enjoys limited protection from the opposing team while inside this area. Farther from the goal, a large square is marked. This is the goal area or, more simply, the box. Two lines, parallel to the sidelines, and an "X" in the center of the field are used during face-offs (similar to the hockey term).
)
Click photo to enlarge in pop-up window
Face-off - A face-off is used to put the ball into play at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal. Until one team establishes control of the ball (possession), only the 3 players on each team in the middle of the field are allowed to pursue the ball.
10 second zones - When a defender gains possession of the ball in the defensive area, he has 10 seconds to move the ball out of this zone. The defense cannot return the ball to the defensive area. The area between the defensive zone line and the center line is "untimed" but when the ball crosses the midfield line, the offense has 10 seconds to move it into the attack area. The ball can be carried or thrown out of the attack area (except by the team in the lead in the game's last two minutes) but must be returned in 10 seconds.
Positions
Each team fields 10 players: 1 goalie, 3 defensemen, 3 attackmen, and 3 midfielders (middies).
Goalie
The goalie, with primary responsibility for protecting the goal, uses a stick with an oversized head and handle (up to 72") and wears chest and neckprotectors in addition to normal lacrosse gear. The goalie must have exceptional reflexes, be willing to stand as the last line of defense, and be able to direct the defense when the opponent has the ball. The goalie also plays a critical role in clearing the ball from the defensive zone once the defense gains control. Once a goalie possesses the ball in the crease, he may not be touched by an opposing player for 4 seconds. After this time, he must either get rid of the ball or get out of the crease. While any defensive player may enter the crease, it is a penalty (either loss of possession or a 30 second technical foul) for an offensive player. No player may enter the crease while holding the ball.
Defensemen
Three players are designated as "defense" and are generally responsible for preventing the offensive teams' best stick handlers from scoring. Traditionally, defensemen are among the largest and most aggressive players on a lacrosse team. Charged with "close in" defense, defensemen will check the stick and/or body of any offensive player who gets too close to the goal with the ball. To make this task easier, a defender will have a "long stick" 52-72" in length and with a slightly bigger head than shorter sticks used for offense. Defensemen need average stick skills and must be able to carry or pass the ball down the field to get it to their offensive players. Four players must remain on the defensive half of the field at all times during a game. Typically these are the 3 defensemen and the goalie. However, any of these may cross the "midfield" line if another team player remains "back" (behind). Otherwise, an offside penalty is called, resulting in either loss of possession or a 30 second technical penalty.
Midfielders
These three players roam the entire length of the field. Therefore, they must be able to play both offense (when we have the ball) and defense. A middie must have average or above average stick skills and must be able to play aggressive defense. In addition, since they cross the length of the field often, speed and endurance are essential, and substitutions are generally made every couple of minutes with fresh players from the sidelines. Although most middies use short "attack" sticks, 40-42" in length, often a long stick middie will be substituted when we're on defense. The midfield and defense positions are most often the best for players just starting the game. New players lacking sophisticated stick skills can more easily have an impact in these spots.
Attackmen
The three players designated as "attack" are often the best stick handlers on the team. Good players can easily move and throw accurately with the stick in either hand. Quickness is more valuable than speed but the best players have both. As with the defense, 3 players must remain in the offensive half of the field at all times. Generally, since they play on only one half of the field, attackmen play most or all of the game. Attackmen must be proficient at "rolls" and "dodges," shooting, and "feeding" (passing to) players cutting towards the crease. Attackmen are also responsible for preventing the defensemen from clearing the ball from the offensive zone.
Fundamentals of lacrosse -- "Rules of the Game"
From the sideline, lacrosse appears to be a particularly wild game, with players running at top speed and battering each other with sticks. Indeed, the players (and the programs) perpetuate this image by referring to lacrosse's origins as an Indian sport and by wearing shirts with slogans about violence and "the fastest sport on two feet". In truth, while lacrosse is a contact support, the rules are well defined and players seldom suffer more than bruises and contusions.
Checking
Body checks are allowed on any player within a 5 yard radius of a loose ball or on anyone in possession of a ball. These must be from the front, above the waist, and below the neck. No one may leave his feet when making a check. Stick checks (using your stick to try to dislodge the ball), like body checks, are allowed within 5 yards of a loose ball or on a player in possession. Players may use the stick only on the opponents stick or on his gloved hand (the hand is considered part of the stick). While a player attempting to "poke" or "slap" the ball away from an opposing player will sometimes miss, striking the arm or body, this is not generally considered a penalty if the majority of the checks are legal or unless the foul is flagrant ("winding up" to make a check for example).
Technical fouls
Technical fouls, actions that are typically less severe in nature, result in either loss of possession if the offending team has the ball or if neither team has control or a 30 second suspension from the game if the other team has control. In a special case, if a referee signals a "play on" situation, he has observed a non-possession technical foul. In this situation, if the team that incurred the penalty gain's ball control, the game is stopped and the ball is awarded to the other team. Otherwise normal play continues. A player suspended from the game must wait in the penalty box until allowed to return to the game by an official, or substituted for by another player (who serves the remaining penalty). Players are allowed to return to the game if:
- The penalty time has elapsed.
- The opposing team scores a goal (with some exceptions).
The following are technical fouls:
Hold - Grabbing an opponent's body or stick, preventing normal play.
Push - Pushing an opponent with the stick, hand, or body (outside the 5 yard area noted above). Pushing an opponent from the rear.
Interference - Preventing the free movement of an opposing player who does not have the ball, except within 5 yards of a loose ball. Note: this is an active penalty, set picks (as in basketball) are legal.
Throwing the stick or playing without a stick - Self explanatory.
Holding the ball - Trapping the ball (other than in a smooth attempt to gain control or scoop the ball) with the stick or body. Touching the ball with the hand.
Illegal procedure - Interfering with a goalie in possession of the ball in the crease. An offensive player stepping into the crease. A defensive player, with possession, crossing into the crease.
Offside - Fewer than four men in the defensive half of the field, three in the offensive half.
Warding off - Using the hand or arm to push or hold a defender's stick or body.
Delay or failure to advance the ball - Once they've obtained possession, the attacking team has 10 seconds to advance the ball out of the defensive zone. When they've "cleared" the ball across the midfield line, they have an additional 10 seconds to move the ball into the attack zone. The attacking team can carry or throw the ball out of the attack zone, but must return it within 10 seconds. In the final 2 minutes of a game, the team with the lead cannot take the ball out of the attack zone.
Personal Fouls
Personal fouls are offenses that are more severe in nature. While generally they result in a one minute suspension for the offending player, at the discretion of the official particularly serious fouls may be assessed for up to three minutes (or even expulsion from the game). Expulsion and unsportsmanlike behavior penalties generally require that the entire assessed time be served, regardless of goals scored or possession.
Illegal body check - Checking from behind, checking an opponent not in possession of the ball or outside the 5 yard limit.
Tripping - Interfering with an opponent below the knees (with stick, hand, foot, leg, etc.).
Unsportsmanlike conduct - Using obscene or offensive language. Taunting. Making threats. Other acts deemed offensive by an official.
Slash - Striking an opponent with the stick on the head, shoulders, or body. Note: this penalty will almost always be called if a player "winds up" to strike an opponent (and doesn't clearly hit the stick). At the discretion of the official a "brush" on the helmet may be "waived off".
Crosse check - Checking an opponent with the part of the stick between the defender's hands.
Illegal stick - Using a lacrosse stick that has been altered to give undue advantage to the player.
Continuation or "delayed whistle" penalties.
If a defensive player commits a penalty when the ball is in the attack end of the field, the official will drop a flag but a delayed whistle situation is in effect. The whistle will be blown when the play is over; that is, when:
- a shot is taken, or
- the attacking team loses control, or
- the attack fails to move towards the goal (e.g., the ball leaves the "box").
If a goal is scored, a technical penalty will be waived, but a personal foul must still be served.
Other common terms
Extra man or man up offense
An excellent scoring opportunity is created when one or more opposing layers are in the penalty box. The extra man offense, composed of the team's best ball handlers, will use quick ball movement to cause an unbalanced situation - and to get an "open" shot on the goal.
Man down defense
Since the opposing team has a player advantage, the defense must use teamwork and quick reaction to prevent scoring. Man down defenders share responsibility for multiple opposing players and must quickly react as a cohesive unit to avoid easy scoring opportunities for the offense.
Fast break
A fast break, like its basketball analog, is one of the most exciting plays in lacrosse. In this situation, a player streaks down the field ahead of his defender, causing a temporary extra man situation. The best teams will use fast, pinpoint passing to maneuver the defenders out of position and move the ball to the open man for an easy shot on goal.
Clears and rides
When the goalie or a defenseman gains possession of the ball, he has 10 seconds to move it out of the defensive zone, either by passing it to a teammate or running it up the field. With four men (3 plus the goalie), the defense has a one player advantage over the attack and should be able to clear the ball to their offense the majority of the time. Failure to do so often results in a "dangerous" situation as many of the defenders will be streaking away from the goal and otherwise out of position -- giving the attack an excellent scoring opportunity. Conversely, the attack will attempt to prevent the clear by setting up a "ride". The three attackmen, covering four defenders, will use speed and aggressiveness to try to maneuver the defenders into making a poor pass or to simply take the ball away from a less skillful defender. If the attackmen are consistently successful preventing clears they will often demoralize the defenders and have an excellent chance to take control of the game. One final point. The team that causes a ball to go out of bounds (off the field) loses possession. However, if a shot causes the ball to leave the field, possession goes to the player closest to the ball at the time that it crosses the side or end-line. This is why players race after the ball anytime a shot is taken. The ability to regain possession on a missed shot can be a distinct advantage for the attacking team, who will often leave a player behind the goal with this responsibility.
© 1997 Jim Mitchell
