Girls Lacrosse
Girls' lacrosse is a non-contact team field sport. On offense, the objective is to move the ball down the field using long-handled lacrosse sticks and shoot it into the opposing team's goal. On defense, a team uses strategy, checking (in some cases) and body positioning to try to protect its goal and steal the ball away. The rules for girls' lacrosse vary from those of boys', men's and women's lacrosse. In the United States, the official rules for girls' lacrosse are written and regulated by the US Lacrosse Women's Division and ratified by the US Lacrosse Youth Council.
1. Players o A girls' lacrosse team generally has 11 fielders and 1 goalkeeper.
On the offensive side of the field, the positions are the first home (whose main mission is to score goals), the second home, the third home and two attack wings (who, because they play toward the middle of the field, should be adept at stealing the ball).
The center plays the middle of the field and has key roles on both offense and defense.
On the defensive side of the field, the positions are the point (who covers the girl playing first home), the coverpoint (who covers second home), the third man (who covers third home), two defense wings and the goalkeeper.
2. General Rules o Depending on level, a girls' lacrosse game is usually 40 or 50 minutes, divided into halves. Time-outs can be called after a goal is scored; each team is allowed two time-outs per game.
The game begins with a draw, meaning that the ball is placed in the middle of the field between the two centers. When one center gains control of the ball, her team goes on offense. The offensive team can pass and run the ball down the field toward the opposing goal. Defensive players can gain possession of the ball by stealing it mid-pass or from an opponent's stick. Draws also take place after each goal.
When a whistle blows, all players must stop exactly where they are. When the referee rules that a ball is out of bounds, the player closest to the ball gets possession, and play resumes.
In girls' lacrosse, players cannot come within 7 inches of each others' heads with sticks. Rough checking or contact between a lacrosse stick and another player's body are not allowed and can be called as fouls.
3. Equipment o Girls' lacrosse teams, particularly teams of younger girls, generally use a ball that's of regulation size and color (yellow or orange) but softer. Younger teams often use smaller, lighter lacrosse sticks than do older teams. Each player generally has her own lacrosse stick and wears a pair of goggles to protect her eyes. Mouth guards are also recommended.
Some teams require cleats. Gloves can help secure a firm grip on the stick.
Goalies need more equipment than do field players, to protect themselves from incoming balls. This usually includes a chest protector, shin guards and knee pads, and a helmet. Goalies also have different sticks than field players
4.Penalties and Fouls o What constitutes a foul depends in part on the level of play. Generally, however, players are allowed no major physical contact with one another. Other moves that constitute a foul include pushing, aggressive blocking, illegal use of the stick, holding the ball, and dangerous or illegal shots.
Fouls are categorized as major or minor, which have different types of penalty. If a player commits a minor foul, she is placed 4 meters away from where the foul was committed, and play resumes. The penalty for a major foul is called a "free position." If a girl commits a major foul, she is placed 4 meters behind the player she fouled, who is allowed to take a free position.
5. Levels o Rules for girls' lacrosse are divided into three levels -- A, B and C -- based on the players' experience and age group.
Level C teams, the youngest division, do not check at all, and have modified or shortened sticks to make play easier. Fields for this age group should have 50 yards between goal lines and are 25 yards wide. This is the only level at which coaches are allowed on the field to instruct players. Games have a maximum of 20 minutes of running time per half.
Level B rules, as in level C, often allow modified sticks and don't allow players to check each other. Regulation field size for this level is 90 yards between goal lines ad 50 yards wide. Games have a maximum of 25 minutes of running time per half.
Level A teams are allowed modified checking. They use regulation sticks, and their regulation field is 100 yards between goal lines and 70 yards wide. Games have a maximum of 25 minutes of running time per half.
Girls Lacrosse Positions
There are 12 players per team on the field during a girls lacrosse game. Unlike soccer or field hockey, the
players do not start out on the same side of the field as their teammates, but rather are stationed around the
field from one goal to the other, similar to the start of a basketball game. Players start the game matched up
next to a player from the opposing team. The 12 positions, from offense to defense are:
First Home
First home is the most offensive position on the field. Her first priority is to score. She starts the game closest
to the offensive goal. First home home has superior stick work because she is often in high-traffic and highpressure
situations. First home sets up plays behind the goal cage, waiting for her teammates to cut in front of
the cage. When that happens she passes the ball to them to create a scoring opportunity.
Second Home
The Second home makes things happen. Statistically, she has a lot of assists. (An assist is the last offensive
pass before a goal is scored). The second home shoots well from any angle and from any distance to goal.
She is dependable and strong and sometimes shoots through to score herself.
Third Home
Third home helps to transition the ball from defense to offense, and supports her offensive homes. She often
assists in the goal scoring and sometimes shoots through to score herself.
Left & Right Attack Wings
Wings also transition the ball from the backfield to the offensive end. Wings do a lot of running, as they are
dependent upon both offensive and defensive teammates. They must support both ends of the field and keep
the two ends of the field connected.
Left & Right Defense Wings
Defensive wings mark the opposing attack wings and keep them out of play from the ball. A good defender can
mark her opponent out of the game forbidding her teammates from passing the ball to her. Because she is
marking an attack wing, a defensive wing also does a lot of running. Defensive wings have speed, endurance,
and an intimidating attitude!
Center
The center is the strongest player on the field. She starts the game with the draw and controls the middle of the
field. She plays both offense and defense, and is always on the move. Center is integral in transitioning the
ball down the field. This is another position that requires speed, endurance, and authority.
Third “Man”
The main responsibility of the third man is to mark the opposing team’s third home. She must be quick to
intercept passes and have excellent footwork and speed to stay with her mark. A third man has great reflexes,
and often jumps in front of her mark to reach for an interception.
Coverpoint
The Coverpoint marks the opposing team’s second home player. The Coverpoint is excellent at marking and
has great footwork. She also works with the goalie and receives clears from the goalie. She plays smart
defense and moves the ball away from the goal to the offense for a transition play.
Point
Point is the most defensive field player on the team. She marks the opposing team’s first home. She is great at
marking and checking. She also works hand in hand with the goalie and must be a good communicator. Aside
from the goalie, she is the most defensive player on the field and has a good view of what is happening. Her
viewpoint is valuable, so listen to her advice!
Goalie
First and foremost, goalies protect the goal and lead the defensive communication. A goalie is always telling he
defenders who to mark and letting them know when someone is open, or when someone should slide over and
double team an offensive player. Within the goal circle, or crease, the goalie uses any part of her body to stop
the ball from going into the net. Goalies also must be aggressive and at times come out of the crease to go
after a wide shot or possibly to intercept the ball. Goalies have good stick work, quick reflexes, and a no-fear
attitude.
Girls' lacrosse is a non-contact team field sport. On offense, the objective is to move the ball down the field using long-handled lacrosse sticks and shoot it into the opposing team's goal. On defense, a team uses strategy, checking (in some cases) and body positioning to try to protect its goal and steal the ball away. The rules for girls' lacrosse vary from those of boys', men's and women's lacrosse. In the United States, the official rules for girls' lacrosse are written and regulated by the US Lacrosse Women's Division and ratified by the US Lacrosse Youth Council.
1. Players o A girls' lacrosse team generally has 11 fielders and 1 goalkeeper.
On the offensive side of the field, the positions are the first home (whose main mission is to score goals), the second home, the third home and two attack wings (who, because they play toward the middle of the field, should be adept at stealing the ball).
The center plays the middle of the field and has key roles on both offense and defense.
On the defensive side of the field, the positions are the point (who covers the girl playing first home), the coverpoint (who covers second home), the third man (who covers third home), two defense wings and the goalkeeper.
2. General Rules o Depending on level, a girls' lacrosse game is usually 40 or 50 minutes, divided into halves. Time-outs can be called after a goal is scored; each team is allowed two time-outs per game.
The game begins with a draw, meaning that the ball is placed in the middle of the field between the two centers. When one center gains control of the ball, her team goes on offense. The offensive team can pass and run the ball down the field toward the opposing goal. Defensive players can gain possession of the ball by stealing it mid-pass or from an opponent's stick. Draws also take place after each goal.
When a whistle blows, all players must stop exactly where they are. When the referee rules that a ball is out of bounds, the player closest to the ball gets possession, and play resumes.
In girls' lacrosse, players cannot come within 7 inches of each others' heads with sticks. Rough checking or contact between a lacrosse stick and another player's body are not allowed and can be called as fouls.
3. Equipment o Girls' lacrosse teams, particularly teams of younger girls, generally use a ball that's of regulation size and color (yellow or orange) but softer. Younger teams often use smaller, lighter lacrosse sticks than do older teams. Each player generally has her own lacrosse stick and wears a pair of goggles to protect her eyes. Mouth guards are also recommended.
Some teams require cleats. Gloves can help secure a firm grip on the stick.
Goalies need more equipment than do field players, to protect themselves from incoming balls. This usually includes a chest protector, shin guards and knee pads, and a helmet. Goalies also have different sticks than field players
4.Penalties and Fouls o What constitutes a foul depends in part on the level of play. Generally, however, players are allowed no major physical contact with one another. Other moves that constitute a foul include pushing, aggressive blocking, illegal use of the stick, holding the ball, and dangerous or illegal shots.
Fouls are categorized as major or minor, which have different types of penalty. If a player commits a minor foul, she is placed 4 meters away from where the foul was committed, and play resumes. The penalty for a major foul is called a "free position." If a girl commits a major foul, she is placed 4 meters behind the player she fouled, who is allowed to take a free position.
5. Levels o Rules for girls' lacrosse are divided into three levels -- A, B and C -- based on the players' experience and age group.
Level C teams, the youngest division, do not check at all, and have modified or shortened sticks to make play easier. Fields for this age group should have 50 yards between goal lines and are 25 yards wide. This is the only level at which coaches are allowed on the field to instruct players. Games have a maximum of 20 minutes of running time per half.
Level B rules, as in level C, often allow modified sticks and don't allow players to check each other. Regulation field size for this level is 90 yards between goal lines ad 50 yards wide. Games have a maximum of 25 minutes of running time per half.
Level A teams are allowed modified checking. They use regulation sticks, and their regulation field is 100 yards between goal lines and 70 yards wide. Games have a maximum of 25 minutes of running time per half.
Girls Lacrosse Positions
There are 12 players per team on the field during a girls lacrosse game. Unlike soccer or field hockey, the
players do not start out on the same side of the field as their teammates, but rather are stationed around the
field from one goal to the other, similar to the start of a basketball game. Players start the game matched up
next to a player from the opposing team. The 12 positions, from offense to defense are:
First Home
First home is the most offensive position on the field. Her first priority is to score. She starts the game closest
to the offensive goal. First home home has superior stick work because she is often in high-traffic and highpressure
situations. First home sets up plays behind the goal cage, waiting for her teammates to cut in front of
the cage. When that happens she passes the ball to them to create a scoring opportunity.
Second Home
The Second home makes things happen. Statistically, she has a lot of assists. (An assist is the last offensive
pass before a goal is scored). The second home shoots well from any angle and from any distance to goal.
She is dependable and strong and sometimes shoots through to score herself.
Third Home
Third home helps to transition the ball from defense to offense, and supports her offensive homes. She often
assists in the goal scoring and sometimes shoots through to score herself.
Left & Right Attack Wings
Wings also transition the ball from the backfield to the offensive end. Wings do a lot of running, as they are
dependent upon both offensive and defensive teammates. They must support both ends of the field and keep
the two ends of the field connected.
Left & Right Defense Wings
Defensive wings mark the opposing attack wings and keep them out of play from the ball. A good defender can
mark her opponent out of the game forbidding her teammates from passing the ball to her. Because she is
marking an attack wing, a defensive wing also does a lot of running. Defensive wings have speed, endurance,
and an intimidating attitude!
Center
The center is the strongest player on the field. She starts the game with the draw and controls the middle of the
field. She plays both offense and defense, and is always on the move. Center is integral in transitioning the
ball down the field. This is another position that requires speed, endurance, and authority.
Third “Man”
The main responsibility of the third man is to mark the opposing team’s third home. She must be quick to
intercept passes and have excellent footwork and speed to stay with her mark. A third man has great reflexes,
and often jumps in front of her mark to reach for an interception.
Coverpoint
The Coverpoint marks the opposing team’s second home player. The Coverpoint is excellent at marking and
has great footwork. She also works with the goalie and receives clears from the goalie. She plays smart
defense and moves the ball away from the goal to the offense for a transition play.
Point
Point is the most defensive field player on the team. She marks the opposing team’s first home. She is great at
marking and checking. She also works hand in hand with the goalie and must be a good communicator. Aside
from the goalie, she is the most defensive player on the field and has a good view of what is happening. Her
viewpoint is valuable, so listen to her advice!
Goalie
First and foremost, goalies protect the goal and lead the defensive communication. A goalie is always telling he
defenders who to mark and letting them know when someone is open, or when someone should slide over and
double team an offensive player. Within the goal circle, or crease, the goalie uses any part of her body to stop
the ball from going into the net. Goalies also must be aggressive and at times come out of the crease to go
after a wide shot or possibly to intercept the ball. Goalies have good stick work, quick reflexes, and a no-fear
attitude.