1. The Penalty for a Personal Foul Can be Suspension
The penalty for a personal foul in many lacrosse leagues and organized play is suspension from the game for a period of 1 to 3 minutes. It depends on the referee's observation of the severity and intention of the foul. The ball is usually given to the team that has been fouled. When the foul occurs before the start of the game, or after the scoring of a goal or the end of a period, the ball is then awarded to the opponents of the offending team at the center of the field.
2. Slashing is Deliberate Viciousness
Under no circumstances may a player swing his crosse at an opponent's crosse with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon. The foul is committed whether or not the opponent's cross or body has been struck. A strike on the helmet or the neck of an opponent is illegal. The exception is generally when it is done by a player in the act of passing or shooting. A player cannot strike any part of the body of an opponent, other than the gloved hand holding the stick, in an attempt to dislodge the ball fro the opponent's crosse. Check is not illegal if, in an attempt to protect his crosse, the player in possession uses some part of his body to ward off the thrust of the defensive player's crosse, and as a result the defensive player's cross strikes some part of the attacking player's body, other than his head or neck.
3. Cross-checking, Tripping and Unnecessary Roughness
A player may not check an opponent with the part of the handle of his stick, which is between his hands, either by thrusting the crosse away from him or by holding it extended from his body, according to rules in many leagues. A player is not allowed to intentionally trip an opponent with any part of his crosse or body. An excessively violent infraction of the rules against holding or pushing is a personal foul and deemed unnecessary roughness. Any avoidable act by a player that is deliberate and excessively violent is considered unnecessary roughness, whether it is with the body or the stick.
4. Unsportsmanlike Conduct
In most official lacrosse leagues no player is allowed to enter into an argument with an official as to any decision he has made. Players cannot attempt to influence the decision of an official. Players cannot use profane or obscene language or gesture to an official or members of the opposing team. Referees are often given discretion in determining unsportsmanlike conduct. The offending player can be banished from the game if he goes through repeated violations.
5. Players Committing Multiple Personal Fouls
In official play, any player committing five personal fouls will be thrown out of the game and not allowed to take part in the game again. A substitute is then sent in.
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