Chumash is a game of lacrosse that is played by a smaller number of competitors than regular lacrosse. It is played on a small field with a small goal, which is used by both teams. Chumash can be played competitively, with a referee who calls fouls, or in a recreational environment.
The Field and the Goals
A normal lacrosse field is 120 yards by 70 yards wide. A chumash field is 50 yards long by 25 yards wide. Instead of having two goals on either side of the field, chumash has a small goal that is 3 feet high by 12 inches wide; this is positioned in the center of the field, and both teams use it. Due to the narrowness of the goal, it is not protected by a goaltender. Once a team gets possession of the ball in chumash, it must take the ball back to the take-back line before it goes on offense. The take-back line is 10 to 12 yards away from the goal.
Number of Players and Game Time
Most chumash games are 20 minutes long and are divided into 10-minute halves. Each team consists of three players. Each team may have two substitutes, who may be worked into the game after any whistle for a foul, out of bounds or goal. No timeouts are called, although the game is delayed by injury on occasion.
Game Procedures
The game starts with either a coin flip, which determines possession, or a face-off. Once the game has started, players may roam anywhere on the field other than the two goal creases. The first goal crease has a 9-foot radius, and the only time a player may enter it is to retrieve a loose ball. The other goal crease surrounds the goal and the first crease. It extends 10 yards in either direction. Offensive and defensive players may run through the second crease, but no offensive player can take his shot from within the second crease. He can catch the ball in the crease but must move out of the crease before shooting.
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