Intro to Women’s Lacrosse
This is by far not a complete guide to the game, but includes some FAQs. Full game rules on USA Lacrosse.
Positions
Two teams compete with 12 players each: a goalkeeper, 3 attackers, 5 midfielders, and 3 defenders.
Attack
The first home is highly skilled with the stick and is relied upon to score.
The second home is a versatile playmaker who must get open to set up scoring opportunities. She possesses a great shot and knack for finding an open teammate.
The third home is an all-around player who is a key to transition from defense to offense. She must be able to quickly change from an offensive mindset to marking.
Defense
The point marks the first home. Decision-making, positioning, and shot blocking are key skills.
The coverpoint is usually the best one-on-one defender who relies on speed and footwork to mark the second home.
The third man is a multi-dimensional athlete whose primary duty is disturbing the attack in the midfield. On defense she looks to intercept passes and quickly pick up an open attacker. Also has occasional scoring opportunities.
The goalkeeper attempts to save each shot with her stick, but can also use any body part to keep the ball out of the goal. Lightning-fast reflexes, quick decisions, and courage are required to stop a barrage of high-velocity shots.
Midfield
The center is a pivotal player in transition from defense to offense. She also controls the draw.
The attack wings are often involved in finishing a fast break. These speedsters need to be strong passers and shooters. They are often first to gain possession off a draw.
The defense wings need to match the speed and endurance of the attack wings and possess a good outside shot.
Descriptions and photo from Sportspectator.com
FAQs
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.
The Crease: Both goals on a lacrosse field are surrounded by circle painted on the field known as the crease. This space is for the goalies, and field players are not allowed to enter this space when the goalie is in there. For the most part, field players aren't allowed in the crease at all, except for a particular situation. Following a save, when the goalie is struggling to clear the ball to her teammates, she may drop the ball in the crease, exit the crease, and a field player may enter the crease to pick up the ball.
Offside and the Restraining Lines: There are two lines that run across the field and split it into thirds. These are known as the restraining lines and they help determine when a team is on or offside. Each team, while allowed 11 field players on the field, is only allowed to have 7 of those players in the offensive and defensive ends. This means that while the play is going on at one end of the field, 4 field players must hold behind the restraining line nearest to where the play is occurring.
Shooting Space Violation: When inside the 8-meter arc that surrounds the goal, offensive players will acquire free space to shoot, known as "shooting space." This is defined by two lines extending from the ball to the outside of the goal circle. When a defender jumps into this lane, obstructing the offensive players' ability to shoot without hitting the defender with the ball, the defender is violating the rule of shooting space.
A Dangerous Shot is an offensive foul. This occurs when an offensive player takes a shot when she doesn't have space to do so, resulting in a dangerous play. She may even hit her defender with her stick or the ball during the shot. This penalty may also occur when the referee blows his/her whistle for a shooting space foul, but the offensive player continues to shoot anyway.
3-Second Rule: Defensemen may not remain in the arc for more than three seconds without guarding another player.
A "Cover" or "Raking": When the ball ends up on the ground, a player must pick up the ball with her stick as if she is using a shovel. She cannot use the mesh of her stick to cover the ball and she cannot use the back of the mesh in order to flick the ball up into her stick.
Safety with Checking:
There is an imaginary bubble/sphere, about seven inches around the head of a player, that an opponent’s crosse cannot enter to ensure safety.
Cannot check the ball into that sphere.
Cannot slash - recklessly swing the crosse at an opponent’s stick or body.
Empty Stick Check: A player is not allowed to hit or "check" the stick of an opposing player with her own stick, when this player does not have the ball in her stick. This is known as an empty stick check.
Recent Rule Changes
Boundary ball inbounds: The team that last touched a boundary ball loses possession. The opponent nearest the ball shall place the ball in her cross to commence play. The official may direct the opponent nearest the ball to restart play.
Free movement by players on a whistle or stoppage of play. Players are not required to stand when the official blows the whistle except in certain instances for players who are fouled, caused the foul, or are associated with the foul.