Lacrosse is a team sport that has been played since the 17th century. Lacrosse players score by launching a ball into a goalie-protected net with lacrosse sticks. The NCAA and U.S. Lacrosse have set regulations on lacrosse stick measurements for both their men's and women's leagues. Stick regulations are also set for player safety.
Men's Rules
All lacrosse sticks must be made from wood, composite or synthetic material. Sticks from top to bottom must be at least 40 inches long. The head of the stick, where the ball is held, must be at least 6 1/2 inches across. From top to bottom, the head of the stick must be at least ten inches long. The ball should freely roll from side to side and should smoothly roll out of the net pouch when the stick is leaned forward at over 90 degrees. The pouch cannot be large enough for the ball to sink below the plastic piece of the head. A goalie's stick may be 40 to 72 inches long and the head of the stick may be 10 to 16 1/2 inches long and 10 to 12 inches wide.
Women's Rules
Lacrosse sticks must be made of composite, metal rubber, wood, gut, leather, fiberglass, nylon, plastic or any other synthetic material. Sticks must be 35 1/2 to 43 1/4 inches long from top to bottom. The head of the stick must be 10 to 12 inches long. The width of the head must be 7 to 9 inches. Goalie sticks must be 35 1/2 to 48 inches long. The head should be no longer than 16 1/2 inches in length. The width of the head should be 11.2 to 12 inches.
Cross Checking
A player may not thrust their lacrosse stick away from their body to check another player or a cross checking penalty will be called resulting in a one, two- or three-minute penalty.
Illegal Body Check
A player may not check another player with the stick who is not within 5 yards of a loose ball. A player cannot initiate contact with the stick from the back or below the waist or above the neck. A one, two- or three-minute penalty will be called in any of these cases.
Slashing
A slashing penalty of one, two or three minutes will be called if a player swings their stick at an opponent's stick or at their body except in the case of incidental contact from passing. A slashing penalty will also be called if a player swings their stick in an attempt to dislodge the ball from an opposing player.
Tripping
A tripping penalty of one, two or three minutes will be called if a player uses their stick to impede an opponent's progress below the waist. A tripping penalty will not be called if a legal check results in the opponent falling down.
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