Women’s Lacrosse

Women’s lacrosse is a non-contact game played by 12 players: a goalkeeper, five attackers and six defenders. The object of the game is to shoot the ball into the opponent’s goal. The team scoring the most goals wins. The women’s game differs from Men’s Lacrosse in several ways. The most striking difference from the men’s game is the absence of body contact and protective equipment. Women’s lacrosse is also played on a large grass field but the field markings are different. Also the lacrosse sticks used are of a different design, some players still use the traditional wooden sticks which resemble the old Indian sticks. Other lacrosse sticks have plastic heads and aluminium shafts.

The stick’s pocket is not as deep as the men’s and very tightly strung. Therefore it is more difficult for new players to catch, throw and run with the ball over the field. In Women’s lacrosse only the stick of the player with the ball may be checked, but not the body. Rough checks, and contact to the body with the crosse or body, are not allowed. When a whistle blows, all players must stop in place. When a ball is ruled out of play, the player closest to the ball gets possession when play is resumed. Loss of possession may occur if a player deliberately runs or throws the ball out of play.

Women’s lacrosse begins with a draw, which is taken by the centre position. The ball is placed between two horizontally held crosses (sticks) at the centre of the field. At the sound of the whistle, the ball is flung into the air as the crosses are pulled up and away. A draw is used to start each half and after each goal, and it takes place at the centre of the field. The playing time is 2 x 30 minutes internationally.