Lacrosse rules for women are slightly different than the rules for men. Women play the game with more players and they also play the game with two halves instead of four quarters. Penalties are called in the game that can give one team a numerical advantage over the other. This is called a power play and can result in goals being scored.
Number of Players
Women's lacrosse is played with 12 players on each team. There are three attacking players, seven midfielders, three defenders and one goaltender. When a team attacks, it can use its attack players and four of its midfielders to go into the offensive zone and the defense can use seven defenders plus the goaltender. Teams cannot have more than seven attackers or defenders in the attacking zone. There is a restraining line that shows where the other players can't go past.
Game Format and Playing Field
Womens' lacrosse is divided into two 30-minute halves. Each team is allowed one 90-second timeout per half. Teams can call timeouts when they have possession of the lacrosse ball. Teams cannot call timeouts when their opponents have possession of the ball. The lacrosse field is 100 yards long and 60 yards wide. The goals are located 10 yards from the endline on both ends of the field. The goals are 6 feet by 6 feet. The object of the game is to fire the ball into the net using a lacrosse stick more times than your opponent can shoot the ball into your net.
Safety Equipment
In mens' lacrosse contact between opponents is permitted when it comes to blocking shots and taking the ball away. That kind of physical contact is not permitted in womens' lacrosse. As a result, women lacrosse players are not required to wear helmets. Women are required to wear mouthguards and they are encouraged to wear eye guards, although they are not required. Lacrosse gloves are not used in the womens' game.
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