Lacrosse has its foundations as a game in the traditions of Native American Indian tribes. The Native Americans not only used the game for sport, but also to settle disputes between tribes, often preparing for matches much in the same way they would for war. The aggression of the fast-paced game remains today and therefore requires rules to govern the use of the stick each player carries.
Size and Composition
The sticks used in lacrosse must be between 40 and 46 inches in length for use in the National Lacrosse League or between 40 and 72 inches in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA. The head of the lacrosse stick that holds the ball pocket must be between 4 ½ and 7 inches wide when measuring between the inside edges, though the NCAA places the limits between 6 ½ and 10 inches. The pocket on the stick cannot be more than 5 inches deep.
Rule 17 of the NLL states that the stick must be made of a hollow synthetic material and may not be filled at any time. If the handle of the stick is made of metal, it must be taped or plugged on the end with rubber to prevent potential injuries. The NCAA allows lacrosse sticks to be made of wood.
Face-Off
During a face-off a player from each team will square up along the centerline with his back facing the goal his team is defending. The players then lay their sticks on the ground parallel to but not touching the centerline. The players stand on hands and knees with both hands touching their stick below the head portion.
There must be at least 2 inches of space between the sticks so the referee may place the ball between them. The players may not touch the ball with their sticks as they set up for the face-off. The players’ feet cannot touch the stick. Once the players are in the set position and the whistle is blown, they may use their sticks to knock the ball to their teammates for possession.
Use in Play
Following the face-off and the first possession, players may use their sticks to advance the ball forward down the field toward the opposing goal. Using the pocket of the stick, a player can carry and cradle the ball downfield, pass to a teammate or take a shot on goal. While playing defense, a player may use his stick to block the forward movement and shots of the ball by his opponent.
If the ball becomes stuck in the stick of a player at anytime, the referee blows his whistle to stop play and awards possession of the ball to the opposing team.
Checking and Penalties
A player may use his stick to check the stick of an opponent as long as that opponent is in possession of the ball at the time of the check. The NCAA rulebook also provides for this as a legal play if there is a loose ball within 5 yards of the player being checked.
Players may not use the butt or head of their stick to jab at another player. A player is also penalized for hooking another player with his stick, grabbing the stick of an opponent, tripping with a stick or any other action with that is deliberately intended to injure another player.
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