Lacrosse Study Guide

HISTORY: 
Lacrosse, the oldest game played in North America, was called bagataway by the Indians of Canada who originated it long before the arrival of the white man.  Bagataway did not limit the size of the field or of the teams, which sometimes numbered as many as 1500 men.  In later years, when French Canadians adapted this primitive sport, they referred to it as lacrosse because the netted stick resembled a bishop’s crosier.

In 1867 the Canadian William George Beers was instrumental in framing the first rules of modern lacrosse.  In the United States, Lacrosse is governed by the U.S. Lacrosse Association.  This association includes men’s and women’s teams from the youth through the collegiate, club and professional levels, both indoors and outdoors field lacrosse.

ABOUT THE GAME:

• Two teams of players using long-handled sticks try to throw a ball into their opponents' goal.
• The team with the highest score wins.
• A centerline runs across midfield.
• The goal is a netted structure (6 feet wide and 6 feet high).
• The goal crease is a circle (18 feet in diameter) centered at the goal line midpoint.
• Teams have 10 players: a goalkeeper, three defensemen, three mid-fielders and three attackers.
• Teams must keep at least four players (including the goalkeeper) in its defending half of the field and three in the offensive half.
• Unlimited substitutions are permitted, and may be made at any time in the game.
• A game consists of four 15-minute quarters. Some levels may play shorter games or use halfs instead of quarters.
• Teams change ends between quarters. There is a 2-minute break between quarters and a 10-minute halftime.
• Each team is permitted two timeouts. They may be called only when the ball is out of play or by the team in possession of the ball.

SCORING:

• A goal (one point) is scored when a ball has been thrown from a stick and crosses completely over the goal line between the goal posts and under the crossbar.
• The team that scores the most goals is the winner.
• If the score is tied at the end of four quarters, there is a two-minute rest before a four-minute sudden death period. Each sudden death period is divided by a two-minute break. One timeout is permitted per sudden death period.
• A goal does not count if:
• The attacking player is inside the goal crease or crosses the crease after taking a shot.
• Attacking team is offside (too few players in the offensive or defensive halves of the field).
• A whistle has sounded.
• The period has ended.
• More than ten attackers are in the game.

GAME PLAY:

• The team winning the coin toss chooses which end of the field to attack.
• The ball is put into play to start the game and after a score with:
• Men's game - "Face-off" (similar to ice hockey).
• Women's game - "Draw" (Sticks of two opposing players are held back to back, waist high. The ref places the ball between the sticks and calls "ready, draw".
• Phys Ed class - Same as women's game.
• Players may run with the ball in the stick, and pass or catch it.
• Players may not touch the ball with a hand except for the goalkeeper.
• The ball may not be held with a foot or kicked to a team's advantage .
• Players may block the movement of an opponent by screening the player (shadow their movement without body contact), causing them to slow down, change direction or pass off.
• Players may not use their sticks to interfere with an opponent.
• Body checking:
• Men's game - permitted if:
• Opponent has the ball or is within 5-yards of it.
• Body checking is done from the front or sides, above the waist and below the shoulder.
• The opponent's stick may also be struck when within 5-yards of a loose ball or the ball is in the air.
• Women's game - No body contact or rough stick play is permitted.
• Phy Ed class - No body contact or any stick play is permitted.
• If a ball or player with the ball goes out-of-bounds, the other team gets a free play (possession to restart game) and the opposing players must stay 5-yards away.
• If the ball goes out of play after an unsuccessful shot at a goal, the opposing player nearest the ball where and when it goes out is given a free play.
• Attacking players cannot enter the goal crease but may reach in with the stick to catch a ball or get a loose ball.
• The goalkeeper can stop the ball by hand, body part, or with a stick. If caught, the ball is to be thrown back into play with the stick.
• Play is continuous with no stalling allowed.
• Fouls (personal and technical) are penalized with a free play. The player who was fouled or another team member gets the ball in their stick at the place of the foul and may run or throw at the sound of the whistle. All other players must be at least 5-yards away.
• PE Rule Adaptations:
• The ball must be passed by at least two players of the same team before a shot on goal can be taken.
• Players must keep two hands on the stick while in possession of the ball.

PERSONAL FOULS:

• Penalty:
• One to three minute suspension (timeout) for the offending player
• Free play for the team fouled.
• Teams play short handed while the suspended player is in the penalty box.
• A player with 5 fouls is out of the game.
• Personal fouls include:
• In class - all body checking, blocking, and contact w/ the stick.
• Spearing and cross-checking
• Body checks beyond 5-yards of the ball
• Body checks after the ball has been thrown
• Body checks from the rear, below the waist or above the shoulders
• Reckless or dangerous use of the stick, including slashing, batting or golfing.
• Tripping or violent play
• Pushing or holding an opponent.
• Unsportsmanlike conduct

TECHNICAL FOULS:

• Penalty:
• Free Play if the team in possession of the ball commits the infraction
• 30-second suspension if the team fouled had possession of the ball
• Technical fouls include:
• Offsides: Occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.
• Moving Pick: Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending
• Stalling: Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock
• Hand Ball: Touching the ball with the hands (except for the goalkeeper).
• Kicking / Holding the ball with a foot.
• Moving into the goal crease.
• PE class:
• One hand off the stick
• Delay of time
• Less than two players handling the ball before a shot on the goal.