URA Lacrosse Rules & Terms
For a complete copy of the US Lacrosse 2011 Rule Book in PDF format click Here
All equipment required or optional can be purchased from Lacrosse International or Kellys Sports both offer discounts to our program. Just
mention you are participating in the URA Girls Lacrosse Program when checking out.
The Crosse
The lacrosse stick - made of wood, laminated wood, or synthetic material, with a
shaped net pocket at the end. A women's crosse must be an overall length of 35.5
- 43.25 inches. The head of the crosse must be seven to nine inches wide. The pocket
of the stick must be strung traditionally; no mesh is allowed. The top of the ball
when dropped in the pocket must remain even with or above the side walls. The goalkeeper's
crosse may be 35.5 - 48 inches long. The head of the crosse may be mesh and up to
12 inches wide.
The Ball
The ball must be yellow or orange and made of solid rubber. The ball must be 7.75
-8 inches in circumference and weigh 5 - 5.25 ounces.
Mouthguards and Eye Protection
All participants must wear a mouthguard. Participants must have a colored mouthguard
- NO clear mouthguards are permitted. All participants are required to also wear
eye goggles / eye protection.
Protective Equipment
Close-fitting gloves, soft headgear are all optional and may be worn by all players.
Goalkeepers
The goalkeeper must wear a face mask and helmet with a mouthguard, throat and chest
protectors. The goalkeeper may wear padding on the hands, arms, legs and shoulders
which does not excessively increase the size of those body parts.
POSITIONS - THE ATTACK
First Home
The first home's responsibility is to score. Located in front of the goal, the first
home must continually cut toward the goal for a shot, or cut away from teh goal
to make room for another player. She should have excellent stickwork.
Second Home
The second home is considered to be the playmaker. She should be able to shoot well
from every angle and distance from the goal.
Third Home
The third home's responsibility is to transition the ball from defense to attack.
She should be able to feed teh ball to other players and fill in wing areas.
Attack Wings
The wings are also responsible for transitioning the ball from defense to attack.
Wings should have speed and endurance and be ready to receive the ball from the
defense and run or pass the ball.
POSITIONS - THE DEFENSE
Point
The point's responsibility is to mark first home. She should be able to stick check,
body check and look to intercept the pass.
Coverpoint
The coverpoint's responsibility is to mark second home. She should be able to receive
clears, run fast and have good footwork.
Third Man
The third man's responsibility is to control the draw and play both defense and
attack. She should have speed and endurance.
Center
The center's responsibility is to control the draw and play both defense and attack.
She should have speed and endurance.
Defensive Wings
Defensive wings are responsible for marking the attack wings and bringing the ball
into the attack area. Wings should have speed and endurance.
Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper's responsibility is to protect the goal. She should have good stickwork,
courage and confidence.
LACROSSE SKILLS
Cradle
The act of moving the stick from side to side causing the ball to remain in the
upper part of the pocket webbing.
Checking
The act of using a controlled tap with the lacrosse stick (crosse) on an opponent's
crosse in an attempt to dislodge the ball.
Catching
The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
Cutting
A movement by a player without the ball in anticipation of a pass.
Dodging
The act of suddenly shifting direction in order to avoid an opponent.
Passing
The act of throwing the ball to a teammate with the crosse.
Pick-Ups
The act of scooping a loose ball from the ground with the crosse.
Shooting
The act of throwing the ball at the goal with the crosse in an attempt to score.
LACROSSE TERMS
Clear
Any action taken by a player within the goal circle to pass or carry the ball out
of the goal circle.
Critical Scoring Area
An area 15 meters in front of and to each side of the goal and nine meters behind
the goal. An eight meter arc and 12 meter fan are marked in the area.
Catching
The act of receiving a passed ball with the crosse.
Deputy
A player who enters teh goal circle when the goalie is out of the goal circle and
her team is in possession of the ball.
Draw
A technique to start or resume play by which a ball is placed in between the sticks
of two standing players and drawn up and away.
Eight Meter Arc
A semi-circle area in front of the goal used for the administration of major fouls.
A defender may not remain in this area for more than three seconds unless she is
within a stick's length of her opponent.
Twelve Meter Fan
A semi-circle in front of the goal used for the administration of minor fouls.
Free Position
An opportunity awarded to the offense when a major or minor foul is committed by
the defense. All players must move four meters away from the girl with the ball.
When the whistle sounds to resume play, the girl may run, pass or shoot the ball.
Goal Circle
The circle around the goal. No player's crosse or body may break teh cylinder of
the goal circle.
Indirect Free Position
An opportunity awarded to the offense when a minor foul is committed by the defense
inside the 12 meter fan. When the whistle sounds to resume play, the player may
run or pass, but may not shoot until a defender or one of her teammates has played
the ball.
Marking
Being within a stick's length of an opponent.
Sphere
An imaginary area, approximately 18cm (seven inches) which surrounds a player's
head. No stick checks toward the head are allowed to break the sphere.