Basic Rules
Men's lacrosse is a contact game played by ten players: a goalkeeper, three defensemen, three midfielders and three attackmen. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent's goal. The team scoring the most goals wins.
- Each team must keep at least four players, including the goalie, in its defensive half of the field and three in its offensive half Three players (midfielders) may roam the entire field.
- Generally, high school games are 48 minutes long, with 12 minute quarters. Each team is given a two minute break between the first and second quarters, and the third and fourth quarters. Half-time is ten minutes long.
- Teams change sides between periods. Each team is permitted two time-outs each half. The team winning the coin toss chooses the end of the field it wants to defend first.
- Men's lacrosse begins with a face-off. The ball is placed between the sticks of two squatting players at the center of the field. The official blows the whistle to begin play. Each face-off player tries to control the ball. The players in the wing areas can release; the other players must wait until one player has gained possession of the ball or the ball has crossed the goal line.
- Center face-offs are also used after a goal and at the start of each quarter.
- Players may run with the ball in the crosse, pass and catch the ball. Only the goalkeeper may touch the ball with his hands.
- A player may gain possession of the ball by dislodging it from an opponent's crosse with a stick check, which includes the controlled poking and slapping of the stick and gloved hands of the player in possession of the ball.
- Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball. However, all contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders. An opponent's crosse may also be stick checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air.
- If the ball or a player in possession of the ball goes out of bounds, the other team is awarded possession of the ball. If the ball goes out of bounds after an unsuccessful shot on goal, the player nearest to the ball when and where it goes out of bounds is awarded possession.
- An attacking player cannot enter the crease around the goal, but may reach in with his stick to scoop a loose ball.
This was made with the help of www.laxrules.com
Personal vs. Technical Fouls
The game of Lacrosse is physical. Rules have been established which are intended to protect safety of players and maintain control over the game. Each game must have a minimum of two officials; a referee and an umpire. There may also be a field judge and a chief bench official. Decisions regarding third and fourth officials are made by the organization hosting the game.
It is the coach's responsibility to teach and instill in each player that they are expected to be physical, but not violent. They are required to play with mental and physical control.
The NCAA has put forth a comprehensive series of regulations and penalties for infractions. Following is a brief summarization of some of the major and common rule violations.
PERSONAL FOULS are infractions of a serious nature, which carry suspension from the game for periods ranging from a minute to three minutes, depending on the severity and intent of the infraction. The penalty's length is determined by the officials.
Cross Check is a check by one player on another with the part of the stick between player's hands.
Slashing occurs when a player swings his/her stick at an opponent in a deliberate, vicious, or reckless fashion, or when the stick comes in contact with an area of an opponent other than on their stick or gloves, unless opponent is actively attempting to deflect a legitimate check with part of their body. Slashing also occurs when the stick of a player strikes any part of an opposing player's body above the neck, unless when done by a player in an act of shooting, passing or scooping the ball.
Illegal Body Checks occur when checking a player not within 5 yards of the ball, a late hit, contact from behind or above the shoulders or below the waist. This occurs when a body check is thrown on an opponent who does not possess the ball, or when an avoidable body check of the opponent is made after the opponent has made a shot or pass.
Tripping is obstructing an opponent at or below the waist with any part of the stick or body. If a player makes a legitimate check with the stick to dislodge the ball from an opponent's stick and subsequently the opponent trips over his/her own or the checker's stick, this is not tripping.
Unnecessary Roughness occurs when a player uses unnecessary and deliberate violent contact on an opposing player or is an infraction of the rules by being excessively violent when holding or pushing.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct occurs when a person who represents a team attempts to argue with or influence the decision of a game official, using a threatening, profane, abusive, or obscene language or gestures during the game; or baits, taunts or acts in a manner considered unsportsmanlike by a game official.
Illegal Crosse is the use of a Crosse which does not conform to NCAA rules and standards.
Illegal Gloves are gloves which do not conform to required standards or when the glove's fingers and/or palms have been altered or removed.
TECHNICAL FOULS
Technical fouls are less serious than personal fouls and are subject to a 30 second suspension from play of the offending player.
Holding occurs when a player impedes or interferes with an opponent's stick movement.
Off-Side occurs when there are more than six players on the opponent's side of the field. This also occurs when a defenseman crosses the center line as the ball is being cleared up the field and all three attackmen and middies have progressed past the center line.
Warding Off occurs when a player with the ball uses his/her free hand or any part of his/her body to hold, push or control the stick or body of the player applying a check.
Stalling is when a team intentionally holds the ball without advancing toward the goal.
Screening occurs when an offensive player moves into or makes contact with a defender with the purpose of blocking the defensive player from opponent being played.
Illegal Procedure is a term that includes touching of the ball by a player other than the goalie, playing in the game without a stick, use of illegal equipment, avoidable lateness of the team, placing a stick in an opponent's face, entering the game prior to expiration of a penalty, delay of game, more than 10 men on the field, and illegal playing out of bounds. (see complete description in NCAA rules).
Interference occurs when one player interferes with the free movement of an opponent. Exceptions: when opponent has the ball and a player is within five feet of an opponent, or the ball is loose or on the fly, and both players are within five feet of the ball.
Pushing is when a player pushes, thrusts, or shoves an opponent from behind. Pushing is permitted from the front and sides when an opponent has possession of the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.
Chumash
THE GAME
SECTION 1. Chumash is a lacrosse game played by two teams of 3 players each.
Each team may have two substitutes. There is one goal in the center of the field. The purpose of each team is to score on its respective side of the goal. Long sticks are illegal unless agreed upon by both sides.
A.R. 1 We have found the game to be fun for two on two as well as one on one.
THE FIELD
SECTION 2. The Chumash field is 50 yds. long and 30 yds. Wide. The 6' high, 12" wide goal is centered in the crease, and the net shall be centered or sandwiched in the frame to accommodate shots from both sides. 20 yds. from the goal line and 5 yds. from the boundary on each end there shall be a dotted restraining or "take back" line.
A.R. 2 Field specifications are a guideline only, and the game can be played just as well with modifications based on capabilities. For example, it is a lot of fun to play Chumash on the beach with two poles buried about 1 foot apart in the sand, and a crease that is obliterated periodically by incoming waves.
A.R. 3 The fatter the goal poles, the better.
The net shall be centered or sandwiched in the frame of the goal to accommodate shots from both sides. Each team has a side of the goal to shoot at. There shall be a restraining or "take back" line 20 yds. from the goal line and 5 yds. inside each end line There is no "safe" zone behind the
"take back" line. A player can be legally pushed out of bounds anywhere on
the field.
A.R. 4 Chumash is designed to be as self-regulating as possible to enhance the joy of playing, and to make it easy to play a real game of lacrosse anytime, anywhere. You don't have to have a referee, but you do need to exhibit sportsmanship and fair play. If a call is in question, use a system of alternating possessions. The game was created to be fun and to teach skills, to involve parents and encourage them in teaching their children sportsmanship. It is the kind of game we can use to invite the world to play lacrosse with us. Anybody can play.
SECTION 3. The game shall be controlled by one official
PLAY OF THE GAME, TIME FACTORS, ETC.
SECTION 4. A game will consist of two ten-minute halves. There are no timeouts if there is a running clock.
A.R. 5 Or you could just play all afternoon
THE SMALLER CREASE
There are two creases in the game of Chumash. The first is a regular lacrosse goal crease with a nine-foot radius. The goal is centered inside this circle. There is no goalie and it is illegal to "guard" the goal in Chumash. . No one can go in the smaller crease unless the ball is down in there. Then, the player may only pick up the ball and leave immediately.
Failure to do so will result in a technical foul and loss of possession.
THE BIGGER CREASE
The second crease uses the same arc. The top of the arc is 10-12 yards from the goal line. Players may move through this larger crease with or without the ball. They may not stop nor may they shoot from inside the larger or smaller crease. Players can "dive", but they may not land in the smaller crease ever. If they do it is no goal and possession is awarded to the other team.
A.R. 1 A player may catch a pass inside the larger crease, then step out of it, turn and shoot.
GAME PROCEDURES
SECTION 5. Initial possession of the ball to start the game shall be determined by a coin flip or a face-off. If a face-off is used, whatever team wins the draw must take the ball back to its take back line.
Whether you roll the ball out or face-off, the team that gains first possession must take the ball back to their own restraining line. If a team fails to do this it is a technical foul and the ball is awarded to the other team. Determine each team's "take back" line before starting play.
A.R. 7 When there is a clear change of possession the team with the ball must pass or carry it back to the restraining line in front of their goal, much like 3 on 3 basketball. If a team fails to do this it is a technical foul and the ball is awarded to the other team.
OFF-SIDES
SECTION 6. There is no off-side rule in Chumash Lacrosse.
GOAL CREASE PRIVILEGES
SECTION 7. When the ball is on the ground in the crease, players from both teams are allowed to be inside the designated crease area.
A.R. 9 After possession is gained, the ball must be immediately carried or passed out of the crease. Failure to do so is a technical foul and loss of the ball.
A.R. 10 When the ball is in possession of team A, a player from Team B is allowed to be in the crease only if they are continually moving through it.
A defensive player (team B) may not take a position to defend the goal while in the crease. A defensive crease violation will result in a man down situation for Team B, as per NCAA rule on a technical foul with possession.
OTHER GAME PROCEDURES
SECTION 8. Most play of the the game falls under the guidelines of the NCAA
(boys) or USWLA (girls) rule book.
A.R. 12 There are no rules governing time for ball advancement, etc.
A.R. 13 5 yard (1 meter for girls) rule strictly enforced on inbounds play, interference, etc.
A.R. 14 The integrity with which you play brings honor to the game.
PERSONAL FOULS
SECTION 9. Personal fouls are illegal body checking, slashing, tripping, and cross-checking as per NCAA rules.
A.R. 15 Exception: There is no "brush" call. Any touch of the head or face is an automatic personal foul.
A.R. 16 On a personal foul the ball is awarded at the restraining line. The offended team doesn't have to clear the ball.
TECHNICAL FOULS
SECTION 10. Technical fouls are interference, illegal screen, holding, warding off, pushing, withholding the ball, crease violations, and other technical infractions outlined in the NCAA rule book.
A.R. 17 On a Technical foul, the ball is awarded at the goal line extended, and just inside the sideline. The ball must then be cleared to the restraining line.
PENALTY ENFORCEMENT
SECTION 11. On personal fouls, the offender must go to the sideline until there are 2 shots taken, or until his team gains possession of the ball, or there is a goal scored by the team with the advantage.
SECTION 12. On technical fouls, the offending player must leave the field for 1 shot, or until his team gains possession of the ball, or there is a goal scored by the team with the advantage.
CHUMASH RULE
SECTION 13. Leave the field thinking how much fun it was to play and not how you won or lost.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Rock-it Pocket has goals for sale similar to the ones shown below. Call Flip at 800-374-7468 for questions and other info.
