GIRLS’ LACROSSE OVERVIEW – compiled from US Lacrosse and various other sources
Lacrosse is a non-contact game played by 12 players: a goalkeeper, five attackers and six defenders. Seven field players may cross the restraining line and four stay behind. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
The youth game is 40 minutes long with 20-minute halves for U9 and U11. The game is
50 minutes long with 25-minute halves for U13 and U15. The restraining line, a solid line
30 yards up field from each goal, extends across the width of the field.
Solid/hard boundaries were added to the game in 2006. If the ball goes out of bounds on a shot then the player that is closest to the ball receives the possession. If the ball goes out of bounds not on a shot then the other team is awarded with the possession.
For example, if a player threw a bad pass to her teammate and the ball went out of bounds then the other team would receive the ball.
THE FIELD
For Girls’ U11 and up, the total length of the field can be from 110 to 140 yards, while total width can be from 60 to 70 yards. There must always be at least 10 yards of space between the goal line and the end line at each end of the field. There is a circle in the center of the field where the draw occurs. Two arcs are marked from the center of the goal line. The eight-meter arc has hash marks four meters away from each other divide the arc. The 12-meter fan runs out from the goal line extended. Substitution area, used by both teams, is in front of the scorer's table and is indicated by two hash marks placed
5 yards on either side of the midfield line.
Seven attacking players only are allowed over the restraining line in their offensive end and only eight defenders are allowed over the line in their defensive end. The additional defender is the goalkeeper. Players may exchange places during play, but the player should have both feet over the line before the teammate enters.
Younger girls (U7, U9) play on a modified field 60-70 yards in length and between 30-40 yards in width to accommodate play on existing fields. There are no restraining lines on the modified field although games typically use the center half line as a restraining line to get the younger players accustomed to playing with field restraints. The crease area does not include a 12-meter fan but typically includes an eight-meter arc.

Restraining line: Divides area where a maximum of seven offensive players and eight defensive players (including the goalkeeper) are allowed; otherwise, a team foul is called.
Critical scoring area: Unmarked area 15 meters in front and to the side of the goal, and
9 meters behind it. Includes the “fan” and the “arc.” Defenders must allow free space to goal when the offense is inside this area. Also, penalties within this area have special consequences.
Twelve-meter fan: 12-meter semi-circle used in the administration of minor fouls. Also called the “fan.”
Eight-meter arc: Line inside which defenders must be within a stick's-length of their attackers. Used to administer a free shot. Also called the “arc.”
Hash marks: Five marks on the eight-meter arc used for a free shot. Play resumes from the closest hash mark to the foul.
Goal circle: Circle that surrounds the goal and indicates the area in which only the goalie can enter. Also called the “crease.”
Center circle: Circle in the middle of the field where a draw is held.
Team substitution area: Area where substitute players may enter the field on-the-fly.

FIELD POSITIONS
THE ATTACK:
First Home:
The first home's responsibility is to score. Located in front of the goal, the first home must continually cut toward the goal for a shot, or cut away from the goal to make room for another player. She should have excellent stick work.
Second Home:
The second home is considered the playmaker. She should be able to shoot well from every angle and distance from the goal.
Third Home:
The third home's responsibility is to transition the ball from defense to attack. She should be able to feed the ball to other players and fill in wing areas.
Attack Wings:
The wings are also responsible for transitioning the ball from defense to attack. Wings should have speed and endurance and be ready to receive the ball from the defense and run or pass the ball.
Note on the attack positions: The terminology of First Home, Second Home, and Third
Home are the traditional position names. However, in recent years these positions have been called simply “Attack” or “First Attack”, “Second Attack”, “Third Attack” so many of our players are not familiar with the “Home” terminology
THE DEFENSE:
Point:
The point's responsibility is to mark first home. She should be able to stick check and look to intercept passes.
Coverpoint:
The coverpoint's responsibility is to mark second home. She should be able to receive clears, run fast and have good footwork.
Third Man:
The third man's responsibility is to mark third home. She should be able to intercept passes, clear the ball, run fast and have good footwork.
Center:
The center's responsibility is to control the draw and play both defense and attack. She should have speed and endurance.
Defense Wing:
The wings are responsible for marking the attack wings and bringing the ball into the attack area. Wings should have speed and endurance.
Goalkeeper:
The goalkeeper's responsibility is to protect the goal. She should have good stick work, courage and confidence.

PLAYING THE GAME
Girls' and women's lacrosse begins with a draw, which is taken by the center position.
The ball is placed between two horizontally held crosses (sticks), placed back-to-back, 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. The sticks must come up over the players' head. A draw is used to start each half and after each goal, and it takes place at the center of the field.
Only five players from each team are permitted between restraining lines at the time of the draw. Once the signal for the draw occurs, the players behind each restraining line may cross over.
When a whistle blows, all players must stop in place. Rough checks, and contact to the body with the crosse or body, are not allowed, however, incidental body contact may occur. Field players may pass, catch or run with the ball in their crosse.
Protecting one's stick from being checked is a very important key in the game of women's lacrosse. In order to protect the stick from being checked, the player must cradle the ball. If the player has a strong cradle, it would make it much more difficult to recover the ball for the opposing team. 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. In Girls’ U9 and U11, if a player holds her stick in a checkable position for
3 seconds or more, the referee will blow the whistle and award the opposing team possession.
Restraining Line
A restraining line is drawn 30 yds (27m) from the goal line extended. Only 7 attacking players may be over the line in the attacking area at one time. Seven defending field players plus the GK may be in the defending area at one time. Violation of this rule is a loss of possession. If the defense fouls, the attack will get either a 12m direct free position in front of the cage, or a free position at the spot of the ball (when the ball is below the goal line extended or outside the critical scoring area). If the attack fouls, the

defense always gets it going out 4m above the restraining line in the center of the field and creates a 5 vs. 4 "power play” situation for the team with the ball.
Substitution
Players sub on the fly and all substitution must take place through the Team
Substitution Area. There is unlimited substitution. Subbing may also occur after goals, and injury or team time outs (but not when a card is being given, unless it’s for the player leaving the field). Subs may not occur on any other dead ball.
CHECKING
All legal checks must be directed away from the player with the ball and cannot come within a 7" sphere of the head. Checks to the head are penalized with a mandatory red card for U15 and mandatory yellow card for U13 for incidental contact and a red card for intentional contact. Also, players may only check using the side of their stick. If caught by one of the referees using the flat of the head, it will be called as a "held check" and the opposing team will get the ball.
For Girls’ U13 and U15, a player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a check below the shoulder. No player may reach across an opponent's body to check the handle of a crosse when she is even with or behind that opponent.
FOULS AND REFEREE SIGNALS (see also Lacrosse Rules section)
Two umpires govern the game to ensure fair and safe play. When a foul is committed, the referee blows the whistle to indicate a penalty and the players must stand, or remain still. The penalty for fouls in most areas of the field is free position. The team who committed the foul is moved four meters away from the fouled player and the fouled player is given possession of the ball. Play resumes on the referee’s signal
(whistle blown and hand gesture), at which point the player may run, pass, or shoot.
The position of the player who committed the fouls differs for “minor” and “major” fouls. For minor fouls, the defender is moved four meters away in the direction from which she approached the player; for major fouls, the defender is placed four meters behind the fouled player.
For severe rules violations, such as dangerous play or unsportsmanlike conduct, a player receives a yellow or red card. A yellow card is a warning and results is the player being removed from the game for two minutes and the team must play a player down for the duration of the two-minute penalty. A red card results in the ejection of the player from the game.

LACROSSE SKILLS
Cradle: The act of moving the stick from side to side causing the ball to remain in the upper part of the pocket webbing.
Checking: The act of using a controlled tap with a crosse on an opponent's crosse in an attempt to dislodge the ball.
Catching: The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
Cutting: A movement by a player without the ball in anticipation of a pass.
Dodging: The act of suddenly shifting direction in order to avoid an opponent.
Passing: The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.
Pick-Ups: The act of scooping a loose ball with a crosse.
Shooting: The act of throwing the ball at the goal with the crosse in an attempt to score.
GIRL'S LACROSSE EQUIPEMENT
It is the responsibility of players to obtain their own equipment as described below. The team will provide the goalkeeper equipment. Girls’ U9 do not use goalkeepers.
The Crosse:
A girl's crosse (lacrosse stick) must be an overall length of 35 1/2 - 43 1/4 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the side walls.
The Mouthpiece:
All players must wear approved mouth guards. They must be made of an opaque material and may not have helmet attachments or any material that protrudes from the mouth.
Protective Equipment:
Eye wear is mandatory! Close-fitting gloves, nose guards, soft head gear are optional, and may be worn by all players.
The Goalkeeper's Equipment:
The goalkeeper must wear a face mask and helmet with a mouth guard, throat protector and chest protector. The goalkeeper may wear padding on hands, arms, legs, shoulders and chest which does not excessively increase the size of those body parts. The goalkeeper's crosse may be 35 1/2 - 48 inches long. The head of the goalkeeper’s crosse may be mesh and up to 12 inches wide.