The sport of lacrosse is a fast-paced game played by children and adults around the world. Lacrosse requires conditioning, agility and teamwork. The game is played from grade school on up to the professional Major League Lacrosse league.
The Teams
A lacrosse team consists of ten players: three defensemen, three attackmen, three midfielders and a goaltender. The object of lacrosse is to shoot the ball across the goal line of the opposing team. The team with the most goals will win the game.
General Rules
Each team is required to keep a minimum of four players and the goalie in the defensive end of the field and three players in the offensive end of the field. The three midfielders are free to play anywhere on the field. A lacrosse game is 60 minutes long and consists of four 15-minute quarters. Each team receives two timeouts in each half of the game. Teams will switch offensive and defensive zones at the beginning of each quarter. The game begins with a coin toss. The team that wins the toss is able to choose which side of the field they will be defending first.
Face-Off
The game of lacrosse begins with a face-off in the center of the field. Two players will squat, and the ball is placed between the sticks of the players. The official will blow the whistle to signal the start of play, and each player in the face-off will attempt to control the ball. Center face-offs also occur at the beginning of each quarter and after a goal is scored.
Game Play
Players are allowed to pass, catch and run with the ball in the crosse (the net at the end of the stick). The only player allowed to touch the ball with their hands is the goaltender. A defending player may obtain possession of the ball by using a stick check to dislodge it from the offensive player's crosse. If the player in possession of the ball or the ball itself goes out of bounds, the defensive team is awarded the ball. If a failed shot on goal causes the ball to go out of bounds, the ball is awarded to the player closest to the ball at the point that it went out of bounds. An offensive player is not allowed to enter the goal crease. The players are permitted to reach in with the stick in an attempt to scoop up a loose ball.
Checking
In an adult game of lacrosse, a player is allowed to use a body check on an opponent who has possession of the ball. All contact is required to be made from the front or the side, above the shoulders and below the waist. Checking is against the rules in youth lacrosse.
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