Frequently Asked Questions
(Information courtesy of the Indiana Youth Lacrosse Association)
- What is the object of lacrosse?
The object is to put the ball into your opponent's goal. - How does the game begin?
A lacrosse game begins with a face off at the mid-field line at the X spot in the center of the field. - What is a face off?
A face off consists of the two center players at the mid-field line crouching down and placing their sticks on the ground so that the heads of the sticks have their backs to each other. The official then places the ball on the ground between the heads of the sticks, steps back and blows a whistle which signals to the players they can fight for possession of the ball. - When are face offs used?
At the beginning of a game, at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal is scored. - How many players are there on a lacrosse team?
Squads range from 25 to 30 players normally. - How many players are there on the field for one team?
There are ten players consisting of one goaltender, three defense men, three mid-fielders, and three attack men. - What are the goaltender's special privileges?
He uses the largest stick on the field with a maximum width of 12 inches. He is the only one allowed to use a stick this large. He cannot be checked if he has gained possession of the ball within the crease are nor is an opponent allowed in the crease area. - What is defined as "in the crease area"?
A goaltender is considered in the crease as long as he has one foot on or within the 18-foot diameter circle. If he lifts his foot up and puts t back down while in the possession of the ball, it is called "out and in" and he loses possession of the ball. - How long can a goaltender stay in the crease with the ball?
A goaltender has four seconds to step out of the crease or throw the ball to a teammate. If he does not do this, he loses possession of the ball.
THE LACROSSE FIELD
- What is the mid-field line?
This line divides the field exactly in half. At the beginning of a game, at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal is scored, the ball is faced off at the mid-field line at the X spot. - What are the wing areas?
These two lines indicate where the two outside mid-fielders must stay until the official blows his whistle to start a face off. - What is the crease area?
A goal crease is a circle 18 feet in diameter that marks an area where an offensive player can never enter under any circumstances except one. - What is the one exception that allows an offensive player to enter the crease area?
If an offensive ball player should fall into the crease such that he lands with his feet outside the crease and both hands on his stick within the crease in a push up position he may then get up and out of the crease with no stoppage of play. - What are the restraining areas?
These areas mark where all the players other than the three players who are the mid-field line must stay in during a face off until either team has gained possession of the ball. In the defense restraining area there are three defense men plus the goaltender. In the offensive area there are three attack men. Leaving the restraining areas before the referee signals possession will result in loss of the ball. - How big is a lacrosse goal?
The front of a lacrosse goal is a perfect square, six feet by six feet.