Lacrosse is a fast-paced and exciting sport that originated from Native American communities. It involves passing, catching, and shooting a rubber ball with a stick that has a net or mesh at one end. Men and women play lacrosse with different variations, such as field, box, and intercrosse. This article will focus on field lacrosse, the most common and popular game form.
The Basics of Field Lacrosse
Field lacrosse is played on a rectangular field that measures 110 yards in length and 60 yards in width. There are two goals at each end of the field: six feet wide and six feet high. A circular area surrounds the goal called the crease, which has a diameter of 18 feet. Only the goalkeeper can enter the crease, and no offensive player can score a goal if they step into the crease before the ball crosses the goal line.
Each team has 10 players: one goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders, and three attackers. The players use sticks or crosses to carry, pass, and shoot the ball. The sticks can be either short or long, depending on the position and preference of the player. Short sticks must measure between 40 and 42 inches, while long sticks must measure between 52 and 72 inches. The head of the stick must be between six and 10 inches wide, except for the goalkeeper’s stick, which can be up to 15 inches wide.
The game aims to score more goals than the opposing team by shooting the ball into their goal. The players can use their sticks to catch, carry, and pass the ball and check or dislodge the ball from their opponents’ sticks. The players can also use their bodies to block or push their opponents, but they cannot hit them with their sticks or make illegal contact such as slashing, cross-checking, tripping, or holding.
The Duration of Field Lacrosse Games
The duration of field lacrosse games depends on the level of play and whether it is a men’s or women’s game. Here are some general guidelines for how long lacrosse games are:
- Men’s college lacrosse games are 60 minutes long, divided into four 15-minute quarters. There is a 10-minute halftime break after the second quarter and a two-minute break after the first and third quarters. Each team has two timeouts per half that they can use anytime during the game.
- Men’s high school lacrosse games are 48 minutes long, divided into four 12-minute quarters. The halftime break is usually five minutes long, and the breaks between quarters are usually two minutes long. Each team has two timeouts per half that they can use anytime during the game.
- Men’s youth lacrosse games vary in length depending on the age group. For example, 8U games are 24 minutes long, divided into two 12-minute running halves; 10U games are 40 minutes long, divided into four 10-minute running quarters; 12U and 14U games are 40 minutes long, divided into four 10-minute stop-time quarters.
- Women’s college lacrosse games are 60 minutes long, divided into two 30-minute halves. There is a 10-minute halftime break after the first half. Each team has two timeouts per half that they can use anytime during the game.
- Women’s high school lacrosse games are 50 minutes long, divided into two 25-minute halves. The halftime break is usually five minutes long. Each team has two timeouts per half that they can use anytime during the game.
- Women’s youth lacrosse games vary in length depending on the age group. For example, U9 games are 20 minutes long, divided into two 10-minute running halves; U11 games are 30 minutes long, divided into two 15-minute running halves; U13 and U15 games are 40 minutes long, divided into two 20-minute running halves.
If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period may be played to determine the winner. The overtime rules differ depending on the level of play and whether it is a men’s or women’s game. For example:
- In men’s college lacrosse games, overtime is sudden death, meaning the first team to score a goal wins. Overtime periods are four minutes long each until a winner is decided.
- In men’s high school lacrosse games, overtime is sudden death, but overtime periods are only three minutes long each until a winner is decided.
- In men’s youth lacrosse games, overtime rules may vary depending on the league or tournament regulations. Some may use sudden death, while others may use a fixed time or a shootout format.
- In women’s college lacrosse games, overtime consists of two three-minute halves, with a two-minute break between them. If the game is still tied after the two halves, the game goes into sudden death, with three-minute periods until a winner is decided.
- In women’s high school lacrosse games, overtime consists of two three-minute halves, with a two-minute break between them. If the game is still tied after the two halves, the game ends in a tie unless it is a playoff game, in which case it goes into sudden death, with three-minute periods until a winner is decided.
- In women’s youth lacrosse games, overtime rules may vary depending on the league or tournament regulations. Some may use sudden death, while others may use a fixed time or a shootout format.
Conclusion
Lacrosse is a fun and exciting sport that players of all ages and skill levels can enjoy. The duration of lacrosse games depends on the level of play and whether it is a men’s or women’s game. Generally speaking, lacrosse games last between 40 and 60 minutes, divided into halves or quarters, with breaks in between. If the game is tied at the end of regulation time, an overtime period may be played to determine the winner. Lacrosse is a great way to stay fit, have fun, and make friends.
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