For athletes new to the sport, men’s lacrosse can be thought of as a blend of soccer, basketball, and hockey. It is a fast-paced stick-and-ball sport originating from a game played by Native American tribes for spiritual, ceremonial, and conflict-resolution purposes. It is known as the “fastest game on two feet.”

Men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse have very different rules and differ by some of the equipment used to play the game. For example, men’s lacrosse players wear helmets and shoulder pads, while women’s lacrosse players do not. This article will explain how men’s lacrosse is played, key positions, and the basic rules.

Basic Rules

The scoring mechanism of men’s lacrosse is similar to soccer, where the object of the game is to get the ball in your opponent’s net. Teams can advance the ball down the field by cradling (carrying the ball in the net of their stick), passing, catching, and dodging opponents.

Starting Play: Games begin with a face-off where the ball is placed between two opposing players at midfield who vie to gain control.

Ball Movement: Players can run with the ball by cradling it in their stick, passing to teammates, or shooting at the goal.

Scoring: A goal scores one point and occurs when the ball completely crosses the goal line within the frame of the goal.

Body Checking: Players can body check their opponent when the opponent has possession or is within five yards of a loose ball. Hits to the body must be legal which means no hits to the head, back, or below the waist.

Stick Checking: Hitting an opponents stick is allowed in order to dislodge the ball, but players are not allowed to recklessly hit their opponent with their stick or make contact to the helmet with their stick as that is a penalty.

Game Duration

A standard men’s lacrosse game consists of four quarters, each 12-15 minutes long (depending on the level of play), with a half-time break after the first two quarters for recovery and strategy adjustments.

Offside Rules

Player Limits: No more than six players (including the goalie) can be on their defensive half of the field, and no more than six offensive players are permitted beyond the midfield line. This rule is designed to prevent teams from overloading one side of the field and to maintain a balance of play.

Key Rules and Penalties

Personal Fouls: These include slashing, tripping, illegal body checking, and cross-checking. Such actions can lead to time penalties (1 minute, 2 minutes, etc.), where the offending player must sit out, and the team plays short-handed.

Technical Fouls: Lesser infractions, such as holding or offside, result in a change of possession or a 30-second penalty if the team fouled against has the ball.

Why These Rules?

The structure and rules of men’s lacrosse aim to maintain a fast-paced, strategic game that balances offensive opportunities and defensive challenges. The physicality allowed reflects the sport’s origins and emphasis on agility and coordination, while the protective measures like the crease around the goal ensure player safety, particularly for goalkeepers.

Men’s lacrosse is a dynamic and physically demanding sport that requires not only athletic ability but also strategic thinking and teamwork. It’s a game where speed, skill, and physicality come together beautifully, providing excitement and fun for both players and spectators.

Men’s Lacrosse FAQs

Field Setup and Equipment

A men’s lacrosse field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide. Similar to soccer and basketball, the field is divided into two halves by a midfield line.

Each half contains a crease and goal; the crease is a circular area around the goal. The goals are 6 feet by 6 feet, positioned 15 yards from the end line.

A hard rubber ball, about 7.75 inches in circumference, is used to play the game and can be white or orange in color depending on the league.

Attackmen and midfielders use short sticks, 40-42 inches in length while defenders use long sticks that measure between 52-72 inches. Goalies use a special stick with a larger head to defend the goal and clear the ball when a save is made.

Players and Positions

Each team has ten players on the field:

Three Attackmen: Positioned on the offensive end of the field, their main role is to set up the offense and score goals.

Three Midfielders (Middies): Similar to soccer, they cover the entire field, aiding both in offense and defense. Midfielders are key in transition, contributing heavily at the face-off and in the riding and clearing game.

Three Defensemen: Positioned near their goal, tasked with stopping the opposing attackmen, supporting their defensive teammates and protecting the goalie.

One Goalie: Just like with soccer or hockey, they are the last line of defense, responsible for stopping the ball from going into the goal and directing the defense.