Lacrosse rules for beginners

Lacrosse rules for beginners

A lacrosse game comprises of two teams on opposing sides using lacrosse sticks to catch, run, carry, shoot, and pass a ball to the opponent’s side to score the highest number of goals. There are four types of lacrosse games.

These are:

  • The field lacrosse,
  • The box lacrosse,
  • The women’s lacrosse
  • And the intercrosse

All the lacrosse games play by various rules ensuring the players observe professionalism. Let us discuss the lacrosse rules for beginners who want to try this exciting game.

Rule # 1: Number of Players

Two opposing teams play a lacrosse game at one time.  A lacrosse team comprises of ten players. The players include a goaltender, three attackers, three defenders, and three midfielders. The defensive half of the field must always have at least four players, including the goalie at all times.

On the other hand, the attacking half of the field must have at least three players all the time. The three midfielders are allowed to any side of the track that they want.

Rule # 2: Proper Scoring Of a Goal

It is mandatory that a player uses his lacrosse stick to shoot the ball into the goal. A goal is not recognized unless it goes beyond the goal line completely. Again, the player making the goal shot should make the shot while outside the goal crease. Failure to observe any of these may result in either a penalty or a null goal.

Rule # 3:  No Ties in a Lacrosse Match

A lacrosse game is played in four fifteen-minute quarters. Every team player in the lacrosse game seeks to score more goals than their opponents within the allowed sixty minutes of the game.  

This rule eliminates the games ending with a tie. Should sixty minutes elapse while the two playing teams are still at a tie, they have to go through sudden death overtime.

Sudden death overtime is overtime sessions played until the first team scores to determine the winner.  It is a very active time, hence the name. Sudden death overtime can only last for a maximum of five minutes.

Lacrosse rules for beginners

Rule # 4: The Use of the Lacrosse Stick

Both the attackers and midfielders can use the short lacrosse stick. This stick is more comfortable to control and convenient when sidestepping defenders in tight combat.

On the other hand, the use of a long lacrosse stick is permissible for up to four players per team, especially the defenders. It comes in handy when keeping the attacking players at bay.

The goalie uses a lacrosse stick with a sizeable head. Such a stick makes it easy for him to block the incoming shots.

All players are permitted to adjust the pocket depth of their lacrosse sticks to gain control of the ball or quickly release the ball.

Rule# 5: The Face-Off

All lacrosse games start at the faceoff.  The players facing off must line up at the center field with their backs facing their defense. Faceoff is achievable with the use of a right hand only.

This technique is due to the strict faceoff positioning rules that require players to place hands and feet on the left of their lacrosse stick’s heads.  They then await the referee to blow the whistle for them to make a move.

Rule #6: How to Pass the Ball

The team player in possession of the ball tries to get the ball to the opposing goalie to make a score. This team player may either pass the ball directly to another teammate within his range. Or he may also opt to move the ball along the ground to a nearby teammate.

Still, he can choose to cradle the ball with his lacrosse stick and run with it.  The passing of the ball ensures the teammates are well positioned to shoot the ball into the goal.

In response, the opposing team works to try to stop the team in possession of the ball from scoring. They do this by either blocking the shots, body checking or stick checking.  The opposing team will do their best to get hold of the ball so that they also try to make a score.

Other Rules

Substitutions

A lacrosse team is allowed an unlimited number of player substitutions. These substitutions can be made in the fly so long as it’s within the assigned area.

Shot clock

In Major League Lacrosse (MLLs), once a player has taken the ball, he/she has up to 60 seconds to shoot the ball at the opposing goal. If the player fails to shoot the ball within the 60 seconds, the referee awards the ball to the other team.

Two Point Goal

Also in MLL only, if a player shoots the ball from the outside outer radius and it goes in, this is worth two goals. This rule applies only to field lacrosse games.

How to Pass the Ball in lacrosse

Penalties for Breaking the Rules

If a team player breaks any of the lacrosse rules for beginners, he must serve a time penalty. The time penalty means that his team will play without him until the penalty period is over.  

A team whose team player is serving time at the penalty box is known as Man-down team. They must defend their net vigorously until the penalty period expires. The team that has more players is the Man-up team or the extra man offense. This team has a man advantage. They have a more natural time scoring or defending their net.

The penalty duration varies depending on the foul committed.

Technical Fouls

A player that commits a technical foul must serve the thirty-second penalty.  A player is allowed up to five technical fouls before being ejected from the game. Examples of technical fouls include holding offsides, obstructing an opponent’s movement,  pushing an opponent, interference, stalling, and warding.

Offsides  – Lacrosse games allow a maximum of seven players on the defensive half of the field.  If a team surpasses this limit, the extra player is guilty of an offside. Hence, he is sent off for thirty seconds.

Personal Fouls

A player that commits a personal foul serves a 60-second penalty at the penalty box.  A player is ejected from the game if he commits four personal fouls. Personal fouls include crosschecking, use of an illegal stick, illegal body check, hitting the opponent on the head with the lacrosse stick (slashing), and tripping an opponent.

Major Fouls

A player found guilty of a significant foul must serve a three-minute penalty. Major fouls include the use of illegal equipment, disputing with the officials, three-second violation, and reckless shooting.

Conclusion

The lacrosse rules for beginners discussed above apply in all the lacrosse games. A beginner must familiarize him/herself with these rules early enough so that they can get used to observing them. These rules apply to all teammates, failure to which, a player risks wasting some valuable time at the penalty box. The rules make the whole process of carrying, passing, catching, and shooting the ball into the net fair and authentic.

14 thoughts on “Lacrosse rules for beginners”

  1. La Crosse rules for beginners is a very good article. I have never played lacrosse I have always seen people playing it but now after reading your article I have a great understanding of how this game works. I have been able to get information from this post that really has me interested in getting a little bit closer to this wonderful game.

     Thank you and I truly and really appreciate all the information you have provided in his wonderful article.

    Reply
    • Hi, Quinn and thank you.

      Thank you for kind words. 

      Yes, Lacrosse is a great game. People sometimes think it is a good mix of sports like hockey, Ice hockey and team handball to name a few sports. But the truth is that it is older than many games.

      It was played in the start by Eastern Woodlands Native Americans and by some Plains Indians tribes in what is now the United States of America and Canada. So it has a long history.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  2. Informative article thanks. First time I learned about Lacrosse, as we don’t have it in our country, seems a bit like hockey but yet very different as it’s so fast! I see one is sure going to get very fit with Lacrosse. Is it an olympic sport and where is it commonly played?

    Reply
    • Hi, Cheriri and thank you.

      Thank you for kind words. 

      Lacrosse is a great game and growing fast all over the world, even so, it is not in all countries yet. For example, in Norden’s nations, it is still mostly school sports. But the growth has been tremendous, and it is getting more and more popular each year.

      About the Olympic, Lacrosse has been on the list of possible sports to come in the games. It is still not there but has taken significant steps in that direction.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  3. I have never played this game so I believe I fall in the category of beginners and let me say this game looks interesting a worthy try I am trying to understands all the rules of the game soi can gain some primary knowledge of the game and the video walkthrough has. Also helped so let the game begin

    Reply
    • Hi, Charles39 and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit of the article.

      Yes, this is a great game and one of the sports that is development most in the world. More and more countries are coming in.

      Good luck.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  4. Thanks for explaining the rules and the different types of lacrosse. It’s always fun to learn something new at times. I doubt at my age that I will actually get out there and try it as I am not in the shape I was in during my 20s. But your article does make me want to check it out next time I see it on the guide on tv.

    Reply
    • Hi, Mike L and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit of the article.

      Good luck.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  5. Lacrosse! Lacrosse! Lacrosse!

    Excuse me but I just like saying it over and over. I played soccer in high school and can really understand how enjoyable this must be.

    Your explanation is fantastic. Well written too.

    I particularly enjoyed learning about the history of the sport. Native Americans invented it huh! That sounds right!

    If they induct this sport into the Olympics, I just want to watch it!

    Super smart adding the post about The Best Lacrosse Sticks to Buy and How to Improve your Game.

    Beautiful Site and Information.

    Reply
    • Hi, Virgie60 and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Great to hear your benefit of the article.

      There have been a lot of works to add this great sport, as you say rightly, in the Olympic. But it takes time, and still, we don´t know when it happens, I hope soon!

      Good luck.

      If I can help you with anything else, or if you have any questions, don´t hesitate to contact me.

      Reply
  6. Hi there. It is a very good overview for people trying to understand the sport for the first time and a good read for those of us who have played before or know about the sport. I would confess I had no clue about some of the rules mentioned, and this was a really big insight into the game. I will be looking forward to your next post.

    Reply
    • Hello, Patrick, and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Don´t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.

      Reply
  7. Hello, I really want to first appreciate your effort in putting this great website together and writing this article. Lacrosse is one game I have heard of so many times, but I have never gotten the chance to try it out. With the help of your article, I now know the rules, and I am hoping to try it out with some players.

    Reply
    • Hello, Benny, and thank you.

      Thank you for your kind words.

      Don´t hesitate to contact me if I can help you with anything else or if you have any questions.

      Reply

Leave a Comment

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close