International Lacrosse Rules of the Game

The Team

There are 23 players on each team but only 10 players from each team are on the field at one time.
1 Goal keeper
3 Defencemen
3 Midfielders
3 Attackmen

The Game

Each game consists of four quarters, each 20 minutes in length. A stop clock operates for the last three minutes of the fourth quarter. Team change end at the conclusion of each quarter. Between halves there is a 10 minute break. Each team is permitted two timeouts per half, with each time-out being 90 seconds in length.

The Field

The playing field is 100m (100 yards) long by 55m (60 yards) wide and is either grassed or artifical turf. The goals are 1.8m (6ft) high by 1.8m (6ft) wide.

Face Offs

Play starts at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal with a faceoff at midfield. Players facing off may not kick or step on the opponent's stick but may use any other type of faceoff technique to gain possession of the ball. The two players on the wing area are released to take part in the play when the whistle is blown but all other players at both ends of the field must remain behind the restraining lines until possession has been signalled by the referee.

Shot Out of Bounds

If a shot is taken on goal, the team who is closest to the ball when it went out of bounds is awarded possesion.

Ball Out of Play

When a ball goes out of play the last team in contact prior to the ball going out of bounds loses possession. Play resumes with a whistle.

Checking

Bodychecking of another player is legal as long as the opponent is in possession of the ball or is within 2.7m (3 yards) of a loose ball or if the ball is in flight within 2.7m (3 yards) of the player.

Penalties

There are three types of fouls.

Technical foul: 30 seconds penalty or loss of possession for an offside, interferance, touching the ball with the hand, pushing, holding.
Personal foul: 1-3 minutes depending on the severity of violation, which includes illegal check, slashing, cross checking and unnecessary roughness.
Expulsion foul: The player is expelled for the remainder of the game for violations sich as fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct, or the accumulation of five personal fouls.

Offside

Offside occurrs when a team has less than three men in its attack half of the field or when it has less than four men in its defensive half of the field.

Procedures for a Tied Game

Five minute break and teams change ends
Start with a face off
Two, four mintue periods with stop clock
(all times stop everytime the game stops)
A two minute interval and teams change ends
Each team allowed one time out per period
If still tied - SUDDEN DEATH.
A one minute break during which a coin toss happens to choose goals.
Start with face off
First Goal Wins