 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Instead of a face-off on the ground, there is a "draw". One player from each team lines up in the centre circle, and holds her stick horizontally at waist level, with the back of her stick against the back of her opponent's stick. The ball is placed between the sticks and held until the umpire blows her whistle to start the game. The centre players draw their sticks up and away, to manouvre the ball to their teammates lined up around the centre circle.
Women's lacrosse is played with a "pocketless" stick - a minsnomer to describe that the ball must be seen over the stick's sidewall. (The only player this rule does not affect is the goalie.) It is because of this that only stick-to-stick contact is permitted, or even required. Instead of carrying the stick to the side of the body, where a stick check can easily occur, the ball is cradled closer to the body, in a more upright position.
In the past, the game was played on an open field without hard boundary lines. Recently, fixed lines have been adapted to university and senior level games. These lines define the side and end boundaries, as well as "restraining lines" which demarcate offensive or defensive zones. Only a certain number of players are permitted on either side of these lines, in an attempt to open up play.
Any rule infractions are punished with varying severity, depending on the crime. Whenever the play is stopped, players must stand still. Minor infractions cause the offender to be placed 4 metres ahead of the offended player, who in turn retains possession of the ball. Major infractions move the player 4 metres behind. More serious offences (or those that are repeated often) can cause yellow cards (where the player is required to sit off for a period of time) or red cards (where the player is removed from the game).
As with any game, the team that scores the most goals, wins! For more information on the rules of this amazing game, check the links page.
Last
Updated: 04/11/03