Girls Lacrosse

Girls lacrosse is played with 12 girls on the field from each team. In order to better understand the roles of the different positions, as well as where they are on the field, it is helpful to understand the layout of the playing surface. A girls’ lacrosse field is typically 120 yards in length and 60 yards wide, with a center circle and a half field line. There are two restraining lines in each half. Each restraining line is 30 yards from its respective goal. At any given time, there may only be a maximum of seven offensive players and eight defensive players (including the goalie) in this area.

A circle known as the crease surrounds the goals, and in front of the goal is a 12-meter fan (semi-circle) used for administering minor fouls. Inside the 12-meter fan, is the eight-meter arc. Within this arc, defenders must be within a stick length of their attacker. The critical scoring area is an unmarked area 15 meters in front of the goal, 15 meters on each side of the goal and 9 meters behind it. Defenders in the critical scoring area have to allow the other team's attackers a free space to the goal when they are on offense.

Positions

Attackers
There are three attackers, five midfielders, three defenders and one goalie. The three attackers line up in a straight line just beyond the restraining line in their attacking half of the field. These three positions are called 1st home, 2nd home and 3rd home. These players are typically the team’s goal scorers. Their role is to get into scoring positions around the goal.

Midfielders
The midfielders consist of two defensive wings, two attacking wingers and one center. When a face off takes place, the defensive wings line up just outside the center circle on the defensive half of the field. The attacking wings line up on the outside of the center circle in the other team’s half. The center stands in the middle of the circle and takes the face off. The midfielders are the team’s primary ball carriers and control the pace of the game. Because they have to play both offense and defense, these girls must be extremely fit in order to cover the whole length of the field.

Defenders
Like the attackers, the defense also lines up in a straight line, this time behind the restraining line in their team’s defensive half. The 3rd man is closest to the half line, the point is closest to the goal and the cover point is in the middle. These players remain in the defensive half of the field.

Goalie
Finally, there is the goalie, who stands in the crease. The goalie is the only player that is able to touch the ball with her hands, but she may only do so while inside the crease. Once the 4 goalie gets control of the ball she has ten seconds to either pass the ball to a teammate or to run it out of the crease herself.

How to Play Girls Lacrosse

Draw Control Motion On draw controls, the two opposing players must move the ball with an up-and-away motion with their lacrosse sticks. A downward or outward motion is illegal, and the ball is awarded to the non-offending team with a free position

3 Second Rule Girls’ lacrosse encourages ball movement when the person with the ball is closely guarded within the restraining area. The offensive player has three seconds to pass the ball or change her cradle – either switching her hands or the level she is holding the ball. If the ball remains stationary for more than three seconds, the referee awards the defense with a free position. This lacrosse rule is exempt if the offensive player is behind the goal and the defensive player guarding her is in front of the goal and mirroring her.

Avoid the Goalie Circle Players must stay out of the goalie circle. A goal does not count if the shooter or another offensive player steps on or into the goal circle or interferes with the goalie. A defensive player can reach her stick inside the goal circle to block or redirect a shot. Below the ninth-grade level, a shooter may not follow through with her lacrosse stick into the goalie circle.

Free position or indirect free position The penalty for fouls is a free position. When a team is awarded the ball after a foul, the player can run, pass or shoot it. However, an indirect free position is awarded for minor defensive fouls inside the 12-meter fan, and the player who restarts the ball can’t shoot until a defensive player or a teammate touches it. Only a goalie can take a free position within the 8-meter circle and no free position can be taken within four meters of a field boundary.

Major or minor fouls All players must stand at least four meters away from the player restarting a free position or indirect free position. On a major foul, the offending player must stand four meters behind the player taking the free position. On a minor foul, the offending player stands four meters away in the direction from which she approached before committing the foul.

Empty Stick Check A girls’ lacrosse player can’t check another player’s stick that isn’t in contact with the ball. This applies only when the opponent could have gained possession of the ball.

Offensive Charging A girls’ lacrosse player with the ball cannot push into a defensive player who has established position. This major foul often occurs within the 12-meter fan when a player is going toward the goal

Dangerous Propelling A player cannot maneuver the ball in her lacrosse stick in a dangerous manner and without regard to the people around her.

Pick or Screen An illegal screen occurs when a player without the ball, by her positioning, forces an opponent to take another route. To be legal, the player must be set within the visual field of the opponent, allowing the defender time and space to change her direction.