The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association, also called MIAA, oversees lacrosse and 32 other sports in a confederation of 373 high schools. The MIAA handbook lays out the rules for student sportsmanship, attendance and academic performance. The specific game rules for MIAA boys' lacrosse follow the rules of the National Federation, while girls' lacrosse follows the rules of the U.S. Lacrosse Women's Division.
The Field Crosse
Lacrosse players carry a stick called a field crosse. There are a number of rules regulating the crosse, especially the loosely woven pocket on its top and the number of thongs allowed in its construction. Additional thongs can give a player an advantage when it comes to throwing the ball. Goalies are the only players allowed to have a more tightly woven pocket; for all other players, mesh pockets are illegal as are pockets constructed with shoestrings. Only four to five horizontal thongs are allowed with eight to 12 cross-lacings and two "throw" strings. Looping thongs through the head of the crosse is illegal, as this adds more thongs to the pocket.
Protective Gear
The MIAA requires all players to wear mouth guards, and girls must also wear protective goggles. Only soft helmets are allowed for girls; no helmet that might injure another player is allowed. Boys are allowed to wear hard helmets because of the increased allowable contact; rib pads are also recommended.
Length of Match
MIAA boys' matches are played in quarters, each of which must be shorter than 15 minutes. Girls' matches are played in halves, each of which must be shorter than 25 minutes.
Scoring
Players score points by moving the playing object, a dense rubber ball, over their opponents' goal line. They aren't allowed to touch the ball with their hands; their stick, called the crosse, is the only tool they can use to move the ball. Each goal scores one point, and the team with the most points wins. For a goal to count, however, certain field conditions must be met. The area immediately around a goal line is called the goal circle and the goalie is the only player allowed within this area. If a player other than the goalie steps into the goal circle, the goal doesn't count. Similarly, if a player interferes with the goalie's actions, the goal doesn't count.
Checking
Checking is an important, albeit dangerous, part of lacrosse. As in hockey or football, players try to block other players from accessing the ball or moving into a potential scoring position. These movements must be carefully controlled for player safety. It is always illegal to strike a player's head with the crosse. Players may not hold an opponent's crosse when she has control of the ball. Players may never lower their heads and ram another player. Aside from these rules, far more body contact is allowed for boys than girls. Girls' rules stipulate that blocking or charging with the body are unacceptable and result in a foul; if the contact is unintentional, it is allowed. Boys' rules stipulate that upright body contact is allowed as long as the ball is within five yards.
Cards
Players receive "cards" for disciplinary issues during a game, ranging from a violent check to a more serious offense such as fighting. Cards can be issued singly or together, depending on the strength of the action. Green cards indicate a delay of game. Yellow cards indicate a warning. Red cards indicate ejection from the game. In MIAA play, girls who receive a second yellow card must always also receive a red card, ejecting the player from the game.
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