Girls Lacrosse Rules

Girls’ lacrosse is a sport that requires both individual skills and team performance. The game combines a fast pace with physical contact, but unlike boys’ lacrosse, the female version of the sport has specific rules regarding stick checking and other types of contact. These rules, when properly taught and adhered to by players, coaches and referees, help minimize the risk of injury.

During play, all players must stand when the whistle blows to stop play and may only move again after the referee blows the next whistle. Keeping this rule in mind when coaching or playing with girls can help prevent injuries that can be caused by players making illegal moves during the game.

To play girls’ lacrosse, a player must wear a mouth guard, chest protector and a helmet with a face mask. Eye protection is optional but strongly recommended, as the game can be fast and rough at times. In addition to these protective gear items, all players must use a girls’ lacrosse stick that meets the length, pocket depth and crosse-head specifications set forth in US Lacrosse girl’s rules.

The goal of the game is to score by putting the ball completely over the goal line into the net inside the cage. During a shot, only one player – the goalkeeper or a player deputizing for her – may be within or have any part of her body or stick on or over the goal circle line at any time. Any other player who enters the goal circle loses all goalkeeper privileges for the remainder of the game.

When a player with the ball is closely guarded (within a stick’s length of an opponent), she must pass the ball or change her cradle (the position in which she holds the ball) within three seconds. Failure to do so results in a draw control.

Fouls in girls’ lacrosse are categorized as major and minor. Major fouls, such as pushing or hitting an opposing player in the head or body and cross-checking, result in a penalty requiring the offending player to be removed from the field for a period of time. Minor fouls, like procedural violations and offsides, can result in a change of possession or free position for the other team.

The most important factor in reducing the number of serious injuries that occur during the game is proper coaching, appropriate play and diligent officiating. The National High School Sports-Related Surveillance Study found that the most common cause of injury in girls’ lacrosse is direct contact with another player’s stick. This type of contact is most often caused by a push or a check to the head and can also be the result of a sloppy crosse-check. The use of proper technique, good coaching and diligent officiating will significantly reduce this type of dangerous play.