Youth Lacrosse Rules for Kids

The game of lacrosse can be played by all ages. Leagues are established for a wide range of ages and can be girls and boys leagues. Rules for youth lacrosse are similar to those of adult players but can vary between boys' and girls' leagues. The proper rules of lacrosse are taught at a young age so that players develop an understanding of the sport that will continue if they choose to progress in the sport.

  1. Basic Rules

    • Lacrosse games are played with 20 players on the field, 10 on each side. Each team has a goalie, three defensemen, three on offense, and three midfielders. Games are set for 60 minutes in length and broken into four 15-minute quarters. To begin the game, players take their position and start with a face-off. The ball is placed in the center of the field, and once the ref blows the whistle, the centers from each team fight for the ball.

    Ball Possession

    • Players carrying the ball can move about the field as long as they want to or can pass to a teammate. Players can use their sticks to dislodge the ball from their opponents. Body checking is permitted in the boys' leagues but not in the girls'. A person can only be check if they are carrying the ball or are within five yards of the ball. In the girls' leagues, an intentional check results in the ref blowing the whistle and declaring a foul on the person that performed the check.

    Penalties

    • If a player commits a foul, they can receive a penalty from one to three minutes. The player that committed the foul is removed from the game, and five fouls to that player in a game result in ejection from the game. In girls' leagues fouls result in the player that received the foul possession of the ball. Penalties during play include slashing, tripping, holding and unsportsmanlike conduct.

    Field Rules

    • Players that receive a foul can then either take a free shot at the goal or pass to a teammate. Offensive players are not allowed to enter the goalie's box except for their lacrosse stick to pick up the ball. If the ball goes outside the boundary lines in the boys' league, the player closest to where it went out receives possession of the ball. In girls' leagues there is no out-of-bound area. A player cannot grab another player's stick or arm to prevent them from controlling the ball.

    Goalie Rules

    • Goalies can be mobile on the field and are allowed to leave their goals while in possession of the ball. Though goalies are protected from contact while in the goals, they can be checked once outside the goalie box like any other player. Upon blocking a shot, the goalie has only four seconds to either pass the ball or move outside the goal crease and make a run for it. Considering a goalie's bulky equipment, it’s often better to remain in the goalie box.