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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, high school 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 are released from their starting positions when the official blows the whistle, however, the remaining 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 if the ball is 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.




The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. He generally restricts his play to the offensive end.

The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field playing both offense and defense.

The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. He generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the field.

The goalie's responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the opposing team from scoring.

Penalties are classified as either technical or personal fouls. Technical fouls either cause the offending team to lose possession of the ball, award the other team the ball, or place the offending player in the "penalty box" for 30 seconds if the opponents had possession of the ball at the time of the infraction. Personal fouls result in a one-minute penalty. Severe abuse (fighting, etc.) may result in either a three-minute penalty or expulsion from the game. In the case of a time penalty, the offending team must play a man short, thus yielding the opponents an "extra-man" opportunity.



Striking an opponent's body other than his hand with your stick. (To an extent, striking the arms is allowed.) One-minute penalty. Slashing occurs when a player's stick contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

Obstructing the opponent below the knee with your body or stick. One-minute penalty. Tripping occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.

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. One-minute penalty.

Hitting the opponent with the part of the stick between your hands. One-minute penalty. Cross Checking occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse to make contact with an opponent.

Official's discretion. One-minute penalty. 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 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.



Failure to have either three players on your offensive half of the field or four players on your defensive half. The normal position of these players is not significant, only the number is. An offside against your team when you have the ball brings a change of possession. An offside call on your team when the opponent has the ball brings a 30-second penalty.

Holding an opponent or his stick with your body or stick. This does not eliminate body checks or holding your position, but you may not wrap your stick around an opponent and thus stop his movement. Holding brings a 30-second penalty.

Pushing an opponent from the rear, or when he is not within five yards of the ball. All body contact must occur with both hands on your stick. You may not use your free hand to push off. A push with possession brings a 30-second penalty. A push without possession brings a change of possession.

Moving picks, preventing cutters free movement, etc. Also, hitting the goalie in the crease when he has possession of the ball. Calls can bring change of possession or a 30-second penalty, depending upon the circumstance.

When an offensive player uses his "free" arm/hand to protect himself and his crosse from the defensive player.

There are also technical fouls from throwing the stick, lying on a loose ball, illegal substitutions, playing without a stick, delay of game, etc.





When a team gains possession of the ball in the defensive end, it has 20 seconds to cross midfield. Failure to do this results in a "failure to advance" call and the possession is lost. Once past midfield, the team has 10 seconds to get the ball into the "box," meaning across the restraining line and inside the rectangle made up of the endline and the two inner lines that make up the attack area. Failure to do this also results in a "failure to advance" call and loss of possession. In addition, the offensive team must never keep the ball out of the "box" for more than 10 seconds. If they do, a "failure to advance" call will be made.

When the goalie makes a save or assumes control of the ball in any way while in the crease he may remain in the crease for only four seconds. If he does not vacate the crease in that time, possession is lost.