The Game Of Women's Lacrosse
How To Play The Game
A game begins when the two centers from each team "draw" at the center of the field: a ball is placed between their two sticks pressed together back-to-back. When the referee calls "draw," the centers attempt to conrtol the ball when they push the ball up and out of the circle -- the area around the face-off. The draw is similar to the tip-off in basketball.Then, the players around the circle -- usually the attack wings, defense wings, 3rd Homes and 3rd Men from both teams -- sprint for the decending ball. Once control is attained by a team, it works pretty much like some other sports: players run and pass the ball to push it down field toward the goal.
Cradling is the method by which a player holds the ball in the stick's pocket. Unlike men's lacrosse, women's sticks may not have a deep pocket in which to hold the ball securely. A player "cradles" the ball to keep it in the pocket. Cradling uses centripital force -- the force generated by moving something in a circle -- to press the ball into the back of the pocket.
When a player has an opening to the goal, she shoots the ball by pushing the head of the stick forward, and pulling the the shaft back. The shots can be extremely accurate and fast.
Passing is the fastest way to get the ball downfield, but it can also be one of the hardest things to do. Releasing the ball with speed and accuracy can take LOTS of practice to make it effective.
Passing is done in the same manner as shooting, but catching the pass is often the hardest part. Not only does the ball have to land in your stick, but you must also learn to put the catch immediately into a cradle to gain control of the ball and prevent yourself from being checked.
Checking is the technique in which a series of short, sharp, controlled strikes to an opponent's stick is used to force the player carrying the ball to drop it.
A player can check the head or shaft of the stick, or body check.
Body checking sounds like a player would strike an opponent's body, but it's actually accomplished when a defenseman sticks close to her opponent in an effort to intimidate the player into dropping the ball, or changing the opponent's path towards the goal.
Rules Of The Game
- Before the game begins, the referee checks every stick (except the goalie's) for legality. The most common illegality in a stick is that the pocket is too deep. The strings at the bottom of the stick's head can be pulled to tighten the pocket.
- If a player commits a foul, the referee blows the whistle and play stops. The player fouled wins or retains the ball, while the player who fouled her is moved several yards behind or to the side of the player she fouled.
- If a major foul is committed in the arc by the defense, the referee blows the whistle, and a "free shot" on goal is taken by the player fouled. All of the defense players are required to clear the arc to the border closest to which they were standing when the whistle blew. The attack player who was fouled takes her place at the hash mark closest to which she was standing when she was fouled. The defense must move away at least four meters from the fouled player. When the referee blows the whistle again, the player can take a shot on goal or pass while the defense moves in.
- There are no boundaries to the field, but if a ball enters an area that is dangerous, unplayable or not clearly visible to the referee, the player who retains it or is closest to it (if the ball has been grounded), at the referee's whistle wins it. The player then waits for the second whistle to begin play again, either by running with or passing the ball.
- When the referee blows the whistle because a foul has occured, or the ball has gone "out of bounds" all players must stop and check all forward movement. Play resumes and the players can move when the referee blows the whistle again.
- Checking -- the method by which a player knocks the ball from another's stick -- is prohibited when it is: directed toward the face; uncontrolled; holding down the other's stick,or when the checker's stick is too close to the head or face.
- Defensmen may not remain in the arc without guarding another player.
- When the ball is grounded, covering it with the back of a stick's net, and preventing play by another player is prohibited.
- No players, other than the goalie, may enter the circle around the goal cage
- When a foul occurs, the player who was fouled is allowed a free shot at the goal, with the defense pushed to the perimeter around the arc.
The Players On The Team
There are 12 players on each team, including the goalie.
Attack positions are: Center, Right Attack Wing, Left Attack Wing, 3rd Home, 2nd Home, 1st Home
Defense positions are: Right Defense Wing, Left Defense Wing, 3rd Man, Cover Point, Point, Goalie
Each team is spread over the entire field, so that the positions are paired as follows, defense /attack: Center/Center; Right Defense Wing/Left Attack Wing; Left Defense Wing/Right Attack Wing; Point/1st Home; Cover Point/2nd Home; 3rd Man/3rd Home.
The Field
There are four types of demarcation lines around the goal: the circle, the arc, the fan, and hash marks. The circle envelopes the goal cage and no one but the goalie is allowed in the circle. The goal is guarded by a single goalie and measures about 6 feet by 6 feet.The field has no boundaries, but is usually enclosed by existing borders, such a trees, a track or fences.
The Referee's Role
- Uses a whistle to denote a foul.
- Can confer a yellow and/or red card on a player who committed a severe foul, or who has repeatedly committed the same foul. When a player receives a yellow card, she is warned that she is in danger of being ejected from the game. If a player is given a red card, she is ejected.
- When a foul is committed, the referee will blow the whistle and determine whether the foul is major or minor. Penalties are more severe for major fouls than minor ones.
- If a player committs a minor foul, she must forefit posession of the ball (if she has it) and move four meters either to the side or in front of the player whom she fouled.
- If a player commtis a major foul, she must forefit posession of the ball (if she has it) and move four meters behind the player whom she fouled. Referees can require a longer distance if the foul was reckless.