Lacrosse rules used by the National Federation of State High School Associations were written by U.S. Lacrosse, the governing body for amateur lacrosse in the United States. The fundamental rules are the same for boys and girls and for all levels of play. Each team tries to score more goals than its opponent, by using lacrosse sticks to throw a ball into the opponent's goal. The National Federation periodically updates its rules regarding everything from uniforms to penalties to the construction or design of sticks and nets.
Basic Rules
The official Federation rules call for 10 players per side for boys and 11 players per side for girls. For both boys and girls, schools or athletic organizations can lower the number to as low as seven players per side. Boys play either four 10-minute quarters with time stopped for penalties and timeouts or four 12-minute quarters with a running time clock, depending on the age division of the players. Girls usually play two 25-minute running halves or two 20-minute running halves, again based on the division.
The Field
The length of the field in boys and girls lacrosse games can vary, though girls' fields tend to be 100-yards-long and under, while the boys are often 100- to 110-yards-long. The goals are set up 15 yards from the end line for boys' games and 10 yards from the end line for girls' games.
Equipment
Boys are allowed greater flexibility when it comes to the lengths of their lacrosse sticks, according to the National Federation. For example, offensive players can use shafts that are 37- to 40-inches-long, while defense players can use shafts that are 37- to 72-inches-long. Defense players tend to want the longer sticks because it gives them greater range in covering their opponents. Girls' lacrosse sticks must be between 35.5 inches and 43.25 inches, regardless of position on the field.
Scoring
For a goal to count, the ball must be completely across the goal line, and the ball must be in the goal directly from the crosse or lacrosse stick, and not off a player's body. Normally after each goal, a face-off between the two teams is held at midfield. If a team has a lead of four goals or more, the opponent may simply start with the ball at midfield without a face-off.
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