Beginner Girls Guide to Lacrosse

 

The Basics!

Girls lacrosse teams use netted sticks to carry, throw, and shoot a ball along a field in an effort to score goals. A goal counts as one point and is scored when the ball completely crosses the opposing goal line between the posts and under the crossbar. The team scoring the greater number of goals in the allotted time wins the game.

What's Needed?

Lacrosse stick, solid rubber ball, team uniform with kilt or shorts, gloves, sneakers or cleats, mouth guard, and protective eye- wear. Goalkeepers wear extra padding.

How Long Is A Game?

Generally, a game is divided into two twenty-five minute halves, with a ten-minute break at halftime. Each half begins at the center circle with a “draw” between two opposing players. Team captains flip a coin to choose playing sides and teams switch sides at halftime. If a game ends with the score even, it is a tie. Some leagues may decide the result of a tie by playing overtime periods of sudden death; the team scoring first wins.

Who Plays Where?

Attack Players (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Home) - As the front line of the offensive attack, these players are usually the team’s primary goal scorers. They try to maintain offensive positions around the opposing team’s goal in order to gain scoring opportunities. 

Midfielders (Two defense wings, two attack wings, and one center) - These five players contribute on both offense and defense while covering the entire length of the field. As the team’s main ball carriers, they control the tempo of the game. 

Defensive Players (Point, Cover Point, and 3rd Man) - These three players help defend against offensive attacks and work to “clear” the ball from out of their goal area up to the midfielders. They generally remain on their defensive side of the field surrounding their team’s own goal. On a draw, they line up vertically from their goal toward the center circle. 

Goalkeeper - Plays inside the “crease” directly in front of her own goal to block incoming shots. She uses a stick with an oversized head to best prevent shots from scoring. The goalie is the only player allowed to touch the ball with her hands, but may do so only when she is standing inside the crease. Upon gaining control of the 

 

 

Learn the Lax Lingo!

Checking - Two forms of checking are permitted: the body check and the stick check. A body check occurs when a defending player moves her body in front of an opposing ball carrier to redirect her progress. On a stick check, a defender knocks her stick against an opponent’s stick in an attempt to knock the ball loose. The latter is done with sharp, quick jabs directed away from the face and body of the player being checked. Both styles are legal provided that there is no body contact and that the stick check is neither reckless nor touches any part of the ball carrier's body. A player may not hold her stick on an opponent’s stick. 

Clearing - An important defensive maneuver in which defending players run or pass the ball out of their goal area. Clearing is best done along the sidelines, away from the front of the goal. 

Cradling - When moving with the ball, a player uses her wrists and arms to turn the stick, in order to maintain control of the ball while in the stick pocket. 

Cutting - An offensive player without the ball quickly moves around a defending player or into an open space in order to get free and open to receive a “feed pass.” 

Goal Circle (or Crease) - The nine-foot diameter circle surrounding each goal. Only one player is allowed in the goal circle at a time and no player from outside may reach in with her stick. It is also a foul when any player enters the circle while the goalkeeper is in position there. 

Ground Balls - Describes the ball loose on the ground. Players will position their bodies in front of opposing players to block them from scooping up the ball. Beginners Guide to Girls Lacrosse 

Man-to-man - A defensive setup in which each defending player guards a specific offensive opponent. 

Marking - The play of a defender who uses her stick and body to closely guard and follow an opposing offensive player. 

Passing - Throwing the ball between teammates, done overhand, underhand, or sidearm and sometimes along the ground. 

Pocket - The head of the lacrosse stick where the ball is held and carried. Depending on the style of the stick, the pocket is strung with either leather and gut netting or mesh netting. 

Shooting Space Violation - When a defender is more than a sticks length away from an opponent while inside the critical scoring area in front of her own goal. Thereby obstructing incoming shots. 

Stop Play - When a foul occurs or the ball goes out of play, the umpire blows a whistle to stop the action of the game. To restart play or redirect a player, a throw or free position is taken. If play stops as a result of an injury, the ball is given to either the player who held the ball last or who was closest to it before the whistle blew. The official game clock continues to run whenever play has stopped - except during injury time-outs or every time the whistle sounds during the last two minutes of each half. 

Zone Defense - Defenders cover specific areas of their defensive zone as opposed to man-to-man coverage.