Lacrosse
History of Lacrosse
• 1867 - Dr. William George Beers, the father of modern lacrosse, finalizes the first set of playing rules for the
Montreal Club
• 1890 - The first women's lacrosse game is played at St. Leonard's School in St. Andrew's, Scotland
• 1904 - Lacrosse is first played as an exhibition sport in the Olympics in St. Louis. The United States Intercollegiate
Lacrosse League is formed, and divides the colleges into north and south divisions.
• 1931 - The United States Women's Lacrosse Association (USWLA) is formed as the rule-making body for women's lacrosse.
• 1947 - The men's field game positions change from goalkeeper, point, cover point, first defense, second defense, center, second attack,
first attack and in home to goal keeper, attack, midfield and defense.
• 1990 - Coach Roy Simmons, Jr. of Syracuse University is the first coach to win four NCAA titles.
• 1997 - The University of Maryland wins it's fifth NCAA women's championship. US Lacrosse is founded and incorporated as the nati onal
governing body of men's and women's lacrosse. On March 14, the new Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame are rededicated,
completing the expansion of the US Lacrosse headquarters.
Field and Equipment
The Ball: The ball must be made of solid rubber and can be w hite, yellow or orange. The ball is 7.75 - 8 inches in circumference and 5 - 5.25 ounces.
Lacrosse players
Men's Lacrosse Positions WOMEN'S LACROSSE POSITIONS:
Attack: The attack man's responsibility is to score • THE ATTACK:
goals. The attack man generally restricts his play to • First Home:
– The first home's responsibility is to score. Located in front of
the offensive end of the field. A good attack man the goal, the first home must continually cut toward the goal
demonstrates excellent stick work with both hands for a shot, or cut away from the goal to make room for
and has quick feet to maneuver around the goal. another player. She should have excellent stick work.
Each team should have three attack men on the • Second Home:
field during play. – The second home is considered the playmaker. She should
be able to shoot well from every angle and distance from the
goal.
Midfield: The midfielder's responsibility is to cover • Third Home:
the entire field, playing both offense and defense. – The third home's responsibility is to transition the ball from
The midfielder is a key to the transition game, and defense to attack. She should be able to feed the ball to other
players and fill in wing areas.
is often called upon to clear the ball from defense to
offense. A good midfielder demonstrates good stick • Attack Wings:
– The wings are also responsible for transitioning the ball from
work including throwing, catching and scooping. defense to attack. Wings should have speed and endurance
Speed and stamina are essential. Each team and be ready to receive the ball from the defense and run or
should have three midfielders on the field. pass the ball.
• THE DEFENSE:
Defense: The defenseman's responsibility is to • Point:
– The point's responsibility is to mark first home. She should be
defend the goal. The defenseman generally restricts able to stick check, body check and look to intercept passes.
his play to the defensive end of the field. A good • Cover point:
defenseman should be able to react quickly in game – The cover point's responsibility is to mark second home. She
situations. Agility and aggressiveness are should be able to receive clears, run fast and have good
necessary, but great stick work is not essential to footwork.
be effective. Each team should have three • Third Man:
– The third man's responsibility is to mark third home. She
defensemen on the field. should be able to intercept passes, clear the ball, run fast and
have good footwork.
Goal: The goalie's responsibility is to protect the • Center:
goal and stop the opposing team from scoring. A – The center's responsibility is to control the draw and play
good goalie also leads the defense by reading the both defense and attack. She should have speed and
endurance.
situation and directing the defensemen to react. A • Defense Wings:
good goalie should have excellent hand/eye – The wings are responsible for marking the attack wings and
coordination and a strong voice. Quickness, agility, bringing the ball into the attack area. Wings should have
confidence and the ability to concentrate are also speed and endurance.
essential. Each team has one goalie in the goal • Goalkeeper:
during play. – The goalkeeper's responsibility is to protect the goal. She
should have good stick work, courage and confidence.
Lacrosse skills
Men's Lacrosse Skills
WOMEN'S LACROSSE SKILLS: Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball with
• Cradle: The act of moving the stick from the crosse.
side to side causing the ball to remain in the Checking: The act of attempting to dislodge the
upper part of the pocket webbing. ball from an opponent's stick.
Poke Check: A stick check in which the player
• Checking: The act of using a controlled tap pokes the head of his stick at an opponent's stick
with a crosse on an opponent's crosse in an through the top hand by pushing with the bottom
attempt to dislodge the ball. hand.
Slap Check: A stick check in which a player slaps
• Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball the head of his stick against his opponent's stick.
with the crosse. Wrap Check: A one-handed check in which the
• Cutting: A movement by a player without defender swings his stick around his opponent's
body to dislodge the ball. (This check is only legal at
the ball in anticipation of a pass. the highest level of play.)
• Dodging: The act of suddenly shifting Cradling: The coordinated motion of the arms and
direction in order to avoid an opponent. wrists that keeps the ball secure in the pocket and
ready to be passed or shot when running.
• Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a Cutting: A movement by an offensive player
teammate with the crosse. without the ball, toward the opponent's goal, in
• Pick-Ups: The act of scooping a loose ball anticipation of a feed and shot.
with a crosse. Feeding: Passing the ball to a teammate who is in
position for a shot on goal.
• Shootings: The act of throwing the ball at Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a
the goal with the crosse in an attempt to teammate with the crosse.
score. Scooping: The act of picking up a loose ball with
•
the crosse.
Screening: An offensive tactic in which a player
near the crease positions himself so as to block the
goalkeeper's view of the ball.
Shooting: The act of throwing the ball with the
crosse toward the goal in an attempt to score.
Men’s rules
Men's lacrosse is a contact game played by ten players: a goalkeeper, 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 offensiv e half Three
players (midfielders) may roam the entire field.
Generally, high school games are 48 minutes long, with 12 minute quarters. Each team is given a two minute break between the first and
second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. Half-time is ten minutes long.
Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two time-outs each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end
of the field it wants to defend first.
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 release; the other players
must wait until one player has gained possession of the ball or the ball has crossed the goal line.
Center face-offs are also used after a goal and at the start of each quarter.
Players may run with the ball in the crosse, pass and catch 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, which includes the co ntrolled
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. However, all contact must occur from the front or side, above the wa ist and below
the shoulders. An opponent's crosse may also be stick checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air.
If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession of the ball. If th e ball goes out of
bounds after an unsuccessful shot on goal, the player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded pos session.
An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.
Men’s Fouls of the game
Personal Fouls Technical Fouls
Slashing: Occurs when a player's stick viciously contacts an Holding: Occurs when a player impedes the
opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on
the stick.
movement of an opponent or an opponent's crosse.
Tripping: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or Interference: Occurs when a player interferes in
below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs. any manner with the free movement of an
Cross Checking: Occurs when a player uses the handle of opponent, except when that opponent has
his crosse between his hands to make contact with an possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within
opponent.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Occurs when any player or
five yards of the player, or both players are within
coach commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by five yards of a loose ball.
an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language or Offsides: Occurs when a team does not have at
gestures. least four players on its defensive side of the
Unnecessary Roughness: Occurs when a player strikes an midfield line or at least three players on its offensive
opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent
force.
side of the midfield line.
Illegal Crosse: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does Pushing: Occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a
not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found player from behind.
illegal if the pocket is too deep or if any other part of the crosse Screening: Occurs when an offensive player
was altered to gain an advantage. moves into and makes contact with a defensive
Illegal Body Checking: Occurs when any of the following
actions takes place:
player with the purpose of blocking him from the
a. body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the man he is defending.
ball or within five yards of a loose ball. Stalling: Occurs when a team intentionally holds
b. avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed the ball, without conducting normal offensive play,
or shot the ball. with the intent of running time off the clock.
c. body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the
waist.
Warding Off: Occurs when a player in possession
d. body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push
check must be below the shoulders and above the waist, and or control the direction of an opponent's stick check.
both hands of the player applying the body check must remain
in contact with his crosse.
Illegal Gloves: Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not
conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal
if the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if the glove
has been altered in a way that compromises its protective
features.
Women's’ rules of the game
WOMEN'S LACROSSE RULES:
Women's lacrosse is a non-contact game played by 12 players: a goalkeeper, five attackers and six defenders. The object of the game is
to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
• Women's lacrosse begins with a draw, which is taken by the center position. The ball is placed between two horizontally held crosses
(sticks) at the center of the field. At the sound of the whistle, the ball is flung into the air as the crosses are pulled up and away. A draw is
used to start each half and after each goal, and it takes place at the center of the field.
• The collegiate game is 60 minutes long, each half being 30 minutes. The high school girl's game is 50 minutes long, each half being 25
minutes. In both collegiate and high school play, teams are allowed two timeouts per game (including overtime).
• There are visual guidelines on the side of the field that are in place to provide a consistent indicator to the officials of what is considered
the playing field. The minimum dimensions for a field is 120 yards by 70 yards. Additional markings on the field include a re straining line
located 30 yards from each goal line, which creates an area where only a maximum of seven offensive players and eight defensi ve
players (including the goalkeeper) are allowed; a 12-meter fan, which officials use to position players after fouls; and an arc in front of
each goal, considered the critical scoring area, where defenders must be at least within a stick's -length of their attacker.
• The boundaries are determined by the natural restrictions of the field. An area of 120 yards by 70 yards is desirable.
• When a whistle blows, all players must stop in place. When a ball is ruled out of play, the player closest to the ball gets p ossession when
play is resumed. Loss of possession may occur if a player deliberately runs or throws the ball out of play.
• Rough checks, and contact to the body with the crosse or body, are not allowed.
• Field players may pass, catch or run with the ball in their crosse. A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an
opponent's crosse with a check. A check is a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent's crosse in an attempt to knock the ball free.
The player must be one step in front of her opponent in order to check. No player may reach across an opponent's body to chec k the
handle of a crosse when she is even with or behind that opponent. A player may not protect the ball in her crosse by cradling so close to
her body or face so as to make a legal, safe check impossible for the opponent.
• All legal checks must be directed away from a seven-inch sphere or ""bubble"" around the head of the player. No player is allowed to
touch the ball with her hands except the goalkeeper when she is within the goal circle. A change of possession may occur if a player gains
a distinct advantage by playing the ball off her body.
• Fouls are categorized as major or minor, and the penalty for fouls is a “free position.” For major fouls, the offending playe r is placed four
meters behind the player taking the free position. For a minor foul, the offending player is placed four meters off, in the d irection from
which she approached her opponent before committing the foul, and play is resumed. When a minor foul is committed in the crit ical
scoring area, the player with the ball has an indirect free position, in which case the player must pass first.
Vocabulary
Attack Goal Area: The area defined by a line drawn sideline to sideline 20
yards from the face of the goal. Once the offensive team crosses the
midfield line, it has ten seconds to move the ball into its attack goal area.
Body Check: Contact with an opponent from the front - between the
shoulders and waist - when the opponent has the ball or is within five
yards of a loose ball.
Box: An area used to hold players who have been served with penalties,
and through which substitutions ""on the fly"" are permitted directly from
the sideline onto the field.
Check-up: A call given by the goalie to tell each defender to find his man
and call out his number.
Clamp: A face-off maneuver executed by quickly pushing the back of the
stick on top of the ball.
Clearing: Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to
the attack goal area.
Crease: A circle around the goal with a radius of nine feet into which only
defensive players may enter.
Crosse (Stick): The equipment used to throw, catch and carry the ball.
Defensive Clearing Area: The area defined by a line drawn sideline to
sideline 20 yards from the face of the goal. Once the defensive team
gains possession of the ball in this area, it has ten seconds to move the
ball across the midfield line.
Lax: Another word for lacrosse.
Man Up: A man advantage that results from a time-serving penalty.
Vocabulary continued
Face-Off: A technique used to put the ball in play at the start of each
quarter, or after a goal is scored. The players squat down and the ball is
placed between their crosses.
Fast-Break: A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense has at
least a one-man advantage.
Ground Ball: A loose ball on the playing field.
Shaft: An aluminum, wooden or composite pole connected to the head of
the crosse.
Head: The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the handle.
Man Down: The situation that results from a time-serving penalty which
causes the defense to play with at least a one man disadvantage.
Midfield Line: The line which bisects the field of play.
On-The-Fly Substitution: A substitution made during play.
Pick: An offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to
block the path of a defender guarding another offensive player.
Pocket: The strung part of the head of the stick which holds the ball.
Rake: A face-off move in which a player sweeps the ball to the side.
Riding: The act of trying to prevent a team from clearing the ball.
Release: The term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the
box that he may re-enter the game.
Unsettled Situation: Any situation in which the defense is not positioned
correctly, usually due to a loose ball or broken clear.
Worksheet
1. Who is known as the “father of modern Lacrosse”?
2. Draw and label a Lacrosse field with all of the correct line markings.
3. Give a brief description of the player positions for Men's’ Lacrosse.
4. What are the eight skills used in a Women's Lacrosse game?
5. What are the eight Personal fouls used in a Men’s Lacrosse game?
6. What are the twelve skills used in a Men’s Lacrosse game?
7. What is the “Desirable” boundary area for a Women's’ Lacrosse
field
8. A Women's College game is divided into how many minute halves?
9. Explain what “Offsides” is in a men’s lacrosse game.
10.Explain how a Men’s game is started.
11.In a men's game, who gets the ball after a missed shot?
12.What is the object of lacrosse?
13-30. Define eighteen of the twenty five terms listed on the
vocabulary pages.
Work cited
• http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/womens_rul
es.phtml
• http://www.laxpower.com/common/rules.php
• http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/mens_rules.
phtml
• http://www.lacrosse.org/museum/history.phtml
• http://dummiesguidetolacrosse.com/laxterms.ht
ml