Lacrosse is a fast-paced team sport played with a small rubber ball and a long-handled stick called a crosse. The objective is to score goals by shooting the ball into the opposing team’s net.
Basic Rules:
- Teams & Positions – Each team typically has 10 players (men's field lacrosse) or 12 players (women's lacrosse), including a goalie, defenders, midfielders, and attackers.
- Game Duration – Matches consist of four quarters, usually lasting 12-15 minutes each, depending on the league.
- Face-Off – The game begins with a face-off, where two players fight for possession of the ball.
- Ball Movement – Players pass, carry, and shoot the ball using their sticks. They must avoid stepping out of bounds.
- Checking – Defensive players can use stick checks or body checks (in men's lacrosse) to prevent opponents from advancing.
- Penalties – Illegal actions like slashing, tripping, holding, and pushing result in penalties, leading to a player’s temporary removal.
- Offside Rule – Teams must always keep at least four players on their defensive half and at least three on the offensive half.
- Crease Violation – Only the goalie can be inside the crease (goal area). Attacking players must shoot before entering.