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Men's lacrosse is a contact game
played by ten players: a goalie, three defensemen, three midfielders
and three attackmen. The object of the game is to shoot the ball
into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in
its defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half.
Three players (midfielders) may roam the entire field.
Collegiate games are 60 minutes long, with 15-minute quarters.
Generally, high school games are 48 minutes long, with 12-minute
quarters. Likewise, youth games are 32 minutes long, with
eight-minute quarters. Each team is given a two-minute break between
the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters.
Halftime is ten minutes long.
Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two
timeouts each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end
of the field it wants to defend first.
The players take their positions on the field: four in the defensive
clearing area, one at the center, two in the wing areas and three in
their attack goal area.
Men's lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between
the sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The
official blows the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries
to control the ball. The players in the wing areas can run after the
ball when the whistle sounds. The other players must wait until one
player has gained possession of the ball, or the ball has crossed a
goal area line, before they can release.
Center face-offs are also used at the start of each quarter and
after a goal is scored. Field players must use their crosses to
pass, catch and run with the ball. Only the goalkeeper may touch the
ball with his hands. A player may gain possession of the ball by
dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a stick check. A stick
check is the controlled poking and slapping of the stick and gloved
hands of the player in possession of the ball.
Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball or is within
five yards of a loose ball. All body contact must occur from the
front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders, and with
both hands on the stick. An opponent's crosse may also be stick
checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the
air. Aggressive body checking is discouraged.
If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of
bounds, the other team is awarded possession. If the ball goes out
of bounds after an unsuccessful shot, the player nearest to the ball
when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may
reach in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.
A referee, umpire and field judge supervise field play. A chief
bench official, timekeepers and scorers assist.
Men's Lacrosse Positions
Attack:
The attackman's responsibility is to score goals. The attackman
generally restricts his play to the offensive end of the field. A
good attackman demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands and
has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. Each team should have
three attackmen on the field during play.
Midfield:
The midfielder's responsibility is to cover the entire field,
playing both offense and defense. The midfielder is a key to the
transition game, and is often called upon to clear the ball from
defense to offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick work
including throwing, catching and scooping. Speed and stamina are
essential. Each team should have three midfielders on the field.
Defense:
The defenseman's responsibility is to defend the goal. The
defenseman generally restricts his play to the defensive end of the
field. A good defenseman should be able to react quickly in game
situations. Agility and aggressiveness are necessary, but great
stick work is not essential to be effective. Each team should have
three defensemen on the field.
Goal:
The goalie's responsibility is to protect the goal and stop the
opposing team from scoring. A good goalie also leads the defense by
reading the situation and directing the defensemen to react. A good
goalie should have excellent hand/eye coordination and a strong
voice. Quickness, agility, confidence and the ability to concentrate
are also essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal during
play.
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