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Introduction to Lacrosse

Lacrosse 101
 Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. It was originated by Native Americans and is regarded as the oldest sport played on the North American continent. There are more than 40 NAIA women's varsity programs and the sport of women's lacrosse has been a national championship sport in the NAIA since 2021. There are also 500+ NCAA women's varsity programs today.

Women’s lacrosse is a non-contact sport played by 12 players on the field at once (one goalie, four attackers, three midfielders, four defenders). A collegiate game is 60 minutes in length with four 15-minute quarters. Halftime is 10 minutes and takes place between the second and third quarter. Players may use their sticks to pass, catch, or run with the ball. Players may legally check their opponent’s sticks to knock the ball free. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal and the team with the most goals at the end of the game wins.

Positions

  • Attack – Four players who run the offense and look to score. They stay behind the restraining when the ball is on the defensive end to avoid an off-sides call.
  • Midfield – Three players who run the length of the entire field and play both attack and defense. They are responsible for transitioning the ball down the field. One of the three midfielders, the center, is responsible for taking the draw at the center of the field.
  • Defense – Four defenders stay behind the restraining line when the ball is on their attack side. They are responsible for defending the goal and transitioning the ball back to the attack.
  • Goalie – Responsible for protecting the goal and clearing the ball out of the goal area after a save.

Equipment
 Required equipment for all field players are a stick, mouthguard, and protective eyewear. Headgear and close-fitting gloves are optional. Goalies are required to wear a helmet with a face mask, a separate throat protector, padded gloves, and a chest protector.

Common Lacrosse Terms

  • 8-meter arc – An arc marked in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls and defenders may not remain in this area for more than three seconds unless closely marking her opponent.
  • 12-meter fan – A semi-circle area in front of each goal circle bounded by an arc 12 meters from the goal circles.
  • Checking – Using stick-to-stick contact to try and dislodge the ball; a legal check must be directed away from the opposing player’s head and may not be across the opposing player’s body.
  • Clear – Takes place within the goal circle to pass or carry the ball out of the goal circle.
  • Cradling – The twisting and rocking motion of the stick to protect the ball.
  • Critical Scoring Area – An area 15 meters in front of and to either side of the goal and nine meters behind the goal.
  • Draw – A technique used to determine possession at the start of a game or after a score, where the ball is placed in between the stick heads of two standing players and the ball is drawn up and away.
  • Free position – An opportunity awarded to one player when a major or minor foul is committed by a player from the other team.
  • Goal Circle – The circle around the goal to protect the goalkeeper with a radius of 2.6 meters.
  • Major Foul – Requires the offending player be placed four meters behind the player taking the free position.
  • Marking – Closely guarding an opponent within a stick’s length.
  • Minor Foul – Requires the offending player be placed four meters off in the direction from which she approached her opponent before committing the foul.
  • Shooting Space – A player may not use any part of her body to guard the goal in a manner that denies the attack the opportunity to shoot safely and encourages shooting at a player.
  • Three Seconds – While defending within the 8-meter arc, a player may not remain in that area more than three seconds unless she is marking an opponent within a stick’s length.