Lacrosse is a field game first player by Native American Indians. Lacrosse was used to resolve conflicts between tribes and to prepare for war. With roots dating back to the 12th century, lacrosse is one of the earliest team sports in North America. The objective of lacrosse is to shoot the solid rubber ball into the opponent's net, while keeping them from doing the same. High school, college and professional clubs play lacrosse, primarily in the United States and Canada. There are many rules in lacrosse.
On-Field Team Configuration
A lacrosse team has ten players each, on the field. Four players are defensive, including the goalkeeper, and must stay in the defensive area of the field. Three players are used for offense, positioned on the offensive side of the field. Three additional players are midfielders, and may float anywhere on the field. As with soccer, only the goalkeeper can use hands to touch the ball. All other players must use their racquets.
Official Time
A lacrosse match is an hour in length, divided into four 15-minute quarters. Teams change sides at the end of each quarter. There is a break of 2 minutes between quarters and a 10-minute intermission at half time. Each team has two timeouts per half.
Crease Restriction
An offensive player attacking the goal of the opposing team must not enter the semi-circle area, known as the crease, in front of their opponent's goal area. He may use his stick to retrieve the ball inside the crease.
Face Off
A face off in lacrosse takes place at the center of the field, after a goal as well as at the beginning of each quarter.
Scoring
A goal is scored when the offensive team shoots the ball into the 6-by-6 foot net, past the goalkeeper.
Contact
Lacrosse is a contact sport, similar to hockey. Permitted contact is called a body check, and occurs when against a player possessing the ball, or is within 5 yards of a live, loose ball. Body checks from behind a player are against the rules. In addition, body checks must stay between a player's waist and shoulders
Offside
As with many other sports, lacrosse has an offside ruling. Offside, a technical foul, is committed when a team does not maintain a minimum of four players on its own defensive portion of the field, or three players on its offensive portion of the field.
Attack and Defense Clearing Area
When the offense crosses the midfield line, it has 10 seconds to move into the attacking area. If the defense intercepts the ball, the offense must vacate the attacking area, clearing area with the ball in 10 seconds.
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