Boys' Game Overview
Overview
A proud history. An even brighter future.
<p>Boys' lacrosse is one of North America's original team sports, and it's having a moment: participation, visibility, and competition at every level keep climbing. Two teams of 10 players each use a lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass a small rubber ball, working it down the field to score by shooting it into the opposing team's goal. Games are typically divided into quarters, though the exact format varies by level of play.</p><p>The biggest thing to know as you're getting oriented: boys' lacrosse is a contact sport. Players are allowed to check an opponent's body and stick within the rules, which is more physical than the girls' game.</p>
Download the instruction guideEquipment Overview
Terminology
CREASE
<p>The circle around the goal, with a 9-foot radius, that only defensive players and the goalkeeper are allowed to enter.</p>
GOAL-LINE EXTENDED
<p>An imaginary line that runs from the goal line out to the sidelines — you'll hear it used to describe where a shot or pass started from relative to the goal.</p>
BODY CHECK
<p>Overt, obvious body contact made to an opponent. Legal within the rules of the boys' game — this is the core difference from girls' lacrosse, which prohibits body contact.</p>
STICK CHECK
<p>Using stick-to-stick contact to try to dislodge the ball from an opponent's stick — the most common and fully legal form of defense.</p>
CROSS CHECK
<p>Checking an opponent with the handle of the stick between the hands, either thrusting it away from the body or running it forcibly into an opponent. Illegal.</p>
SLASHING
<p>Swinging a stick at an opponent's stick or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, whether or not contact actually occurs. Illegal.</p>
PUSHING
<p>Thrusting or shoving an opponent from behind.</p>
WARDING OFF
<p>When a player carrying the ball uses their free hand or arm to hold, push, or control the direction of an opponent's stick or body. Illegal.</p>
CREASE
<p>The circle around the goal, with a 9-foot radius, that only defensive players and the goalkeeper are allowed to enter.</p>
GOAL-LINE EXTENDED
<p>An imaginary line that runs from the goal line out to the sidelines — you'll hear it used to describe where a shot or pass started from relative to the goal.</p>
BODY CHECK
<p>Overt, obvious body contact made to an opponent. Legal within the rules of the boys' game — this is the core difference from girls' lacrosse, which prohibits body contact.</p>
Game Formats
There are three main disciplines in lacrosse — traditional field lacrosse, sixes and box. Field lacrosse is the predominant version of the sport in the United States. Sixes will be used for the LA28 Olympics and the USA Lacrosse Flex6 version offers adaptability for youth leagues. Box lacrosse is Canada's national summer sport and growing in popularity in the United States.
Together, these disciplines create more opportunities for participation, player development, and fan engagement. While each format emphasizes different skills and experiences, all three share the same fundamental objective: combining athleticism, teamwork, creativity, and competition through the game of lacrosse.
Traditional men’s field lacrosse is a fast-paced, full-contact team sport played by 10 players per side on a field roughly the size of a football field (110 x 60 yards). Each team consists of three attackmen, three midfielders, three defensemen, and one goalkeeper. Only six players are allowed into the offensive zone and up to four players on defense are allowed to use longer poles to help with checking and ball pressure.
The game combines speed, skill, strategy, and physical play, requiring players to use a lacrosse stick (crosse) to catch, carry, pass, and shoot a rubber ball with the objective of scoring in the opponent’s goal.
Athlete Development
<p>We’re transforming how young athletes experience lacrosse. Grounded in research and best practices, our approach ensures every player — at every age and stage — can grow, thrive, and love the game.</p>
Featured Athletes
“
<p>The excitement and emotions that come from playing in a tight game or being dominant are so unique that I can't say no. I just have to keep coming back to it.</p>
Anderson Moore
USA Goalie
“
<p>This game is special. Over the past few years, as I’ve experienced the history more and connected with Native American culture, I began to understand the connection that we each have with our stick.</p>
Paul Rabil
HOF Member
“
<p>Anyone I have ever met that is connected with the game — coach, player, manager, fan — shares something so special that transcends all other sports. The game does not let you down.</p>
John Danowski
HOF Coach
