Lacrosse is a sport that requires participants to run up and down the field while in possession of a ball and attempting to put the ball in a goal protected by a goal keeper. The ball can be hurled with a stick that has netting on it. The netting is for catching and throwing the ball. The game requires a high level of physical conditioning and the skill to receive the ball and throw it with accuracy.
The Field and the Basics
A youth lacrosse field is the same size as an adult's field. The reasoning for this is that it takes skill to throw and catch a lacrosse ball and that if players can do this, they can run up and down a 110-by-60-yard field. The field is divided in half and played by 10 players. There are three attack players, three midfielders, three defensive players and a goalkeeper. The attack players are positioned on the offensive side of the field, the defensive players are on the defensive side of the field and the midfielders can run on both sides of the field.
Equipment
All players on the field have lacrosse sticks and helmets. The size of the sticks vary by position. Attack players use sticks that are 40 to 42 inches long. Defenders use sticks that are 52 to 72 inches long. Goal keepers use sticks that are 40 to 72 inches long. Midfielders regularly use the 40 to 42-inch sticks. All players must wear protective helmets. These helmets are made of a hard plastic and have bars on them that protect the players face and mouth from errant sticks and shots.
Stick Rules
Players are allowed to use their sticks in order to strip their opponents of the lacrosse ball. They can intercept passes or hit their opponent's stick with their own. However, you may not hit your opponent with the stick. Players who hit their opponent in the course of pursuing the ball are sent to the penalty box for high sticking. However, players who intentionally or recklessly swing their stick at their opponents can be removed from the game at the referee's discretion. Regular penalties include cross-checking, tripping, slashing and unnecessary roughness.
Length of Game
All boys' lacrosse games are 40 minutes long. The game is divided into four 10-minute quarters. There is a two-minute break between the first and second quarters and the third and fourth quarters and a break of eight- to-10 minutes at halftime. If the game is tied at the end of four quarters, a four-minute sudden death overtime period is played in which the first team that scores wins the game. If neither team scores, the game is a tie.
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