Lacrosse 101

Overview

Collegiate games consist of four 15-minute quarters, with tie games decided by sudden death play. High school teams play four 10-minute quarters, with tie games decided by no more than two three-minute overtimes, followed by sudden death play if the game is still tied.

A face-off initiates play at the start of each quarter and after each goal. Initially, all players are restricted to specific areas of the field during the face-off: the goalie and three players in the defense-goal area, three players in the attack-goal area, one player in each of the two wing areas and the face-off man at the center of the field. Play continues after the face-off with each team trying to advance, running or passing the ball, toward the goal to score.

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the plane of the goal. It is legal to shoot, kick or bat a ball into the net. The area around the goal, the crease, is restricted to the attacking team. Shots ongoing must be taken outside the crease area to score.

At all times, each team must have three players located on the attack half of the field and four players on the defensive side of the field. Defensemen and attackmen are not restricted to their respective halves of the field. They may cross the midline at any time, provided the offside rule is satisfied, with players from other positions. Normally, the responsibility lies with the midfielders.

Aggressive play with stick and body checking is allowed within the framework of the rules. Players may enter the game on the fly or after the official has suspended play. Unlike any other sport, a shot taken at the goal that goes out of bounds is awarded to the team closest to the ball at the exact time it crosses the boundary line, encouraging scoring by allowing the offense to maintain control of the ball after a missed shot goes out of bounds.

Learning the Lingo

The following is a list of terms you may frequently hear while watching a lacrosse game. Some, you may be familiar with, others, may sound a little odd at first. But all are part of knowing the game of lacrosse.

Attack Goal Area: The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline, 20 yards from the face of the goal. Once the offensive team crosses the midfield line, it has ten seconds to move the ball into its attack goal area.

Body Check: Contact with an opponent from the front, between the shoulders and the waist, when opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.

Box: An area on the sideline used to hold players who have been served with penalties, and through which substitutions "on the fly" are permitted directly from the sideline onto the field.

Check-Up: A call given by the goalie to alert the defender to find his man and call out his number.

Clamp: A face-off maneuver executed by quickly pushing the back of the stick on top of the ball.

Clearing: Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to the attack goal area.

Crease: A circle around the goal, nine feet in radius, into which only defensive players may enter.

Crosse (Stick): The equipment used to throw, catch and carry (cradle) the ball.

Defensive Clearing Area: The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline, 20 yards from the face of the goal. Once the defensive positioned correctly, usually due to a loose ball or an unsuccessful clear.

Extra Man Offense: A man advantage that occurs following a time-serving penalty.

Face-Off: A technique used to put the ball in play at the start of each quarter, or after a goal is scored. The players squat down and the ball is placed between their sticks.

Fast-Break: A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense has at least one man advantage.

Ground Ball: A loose ball on the playing field.

Handle (Shaft): The pole connected to the head of the stick.

Head: The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the handle.

Loose Ball: A situation in which neither team has control of the ball.

Man Down Defense: The situation that results from a time-serving penalty which causes the defense to play with a least a one man disadvantage.

Midfield Line: The line bisecting the field of play.

On-the-Fly Substitution: A player substitution made during play. Usually executed while the ball is being handled offensively.

Pick: An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to block the path of a defender with his body.

Pocket: The strung part of the head of a stick which holds the ball.

Rake: A face-off maneuver in which a player sweeps the ball to the side.

Riding: The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the ball.

Release: The term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the box that he or she may re-enter the game.

Unsettled Situation: Any situation in which the defense is not positioned correctly, usually due to a loose ball or an unsuccessful clear.