Women's Lacrosse Rules - An Overview

• Three Seconds: a defender may not remain in the 8-meter arc for more than three seconds unless she is within a sticks length (defined as one arm length and a stick) away form the player she is marking.
• Obstruction of the Free Space to Goal: A defender who is not marking a player may not stand more than a sticks length away from the ball while obstructing the path to the goal. This call applies when the player with the ball is looking to shoot.
• Check to the head/body: Any time stick contacts another player's head Ê automatic yellow card) or body.
• Dangerous Shot: A dangerous shot is judged on the combination of distance, force and placement of the shot.
• Slash: Reckless swinging of the stick with a large back-swing or follow through, whether or not contact is made, will be ruled a slash. A slash is an automatic yellow card.
• Blocking: A defender makes contact with an attacker by moving into them.
• Charging: A attack player moves into an opponent instead of going around the opponent who has established position.
• Misconduct: Unsportsmanlike conduct that includes reckless, dangerous behavior or consistently breaking the rules (automatic yellow card), The yellow card can be upgraded to a red if the official deems necessary. A second yellow card by the same player results in a red card.

• Crease Violation: The body or stick of any player other than the goalie may not cross over the crease line.
• Warding Off: A player may not take her hand off her stick and raise it to hold off an opponent.
• Empty Stick Check: A player may not hit an opponents stick unless the ball is in contact with her opponents stick.
• Body Ball: The ball may not hit a player's body and bounce to her distinct advantage. Because it is an advantage call, not all body balls will be whistled.

• Offsides: A team may not have more than seven players over the restraining line in the offensive end, and no more than eight players over the line in the defensive end. A player may reach over the line with her stick to play the ball, but no part of her foot may cross the line.
• Throw: A throw can occur in the case of off-setting fouls or when it is unclear which player was closest to the ball as it went out of bounds. When a throw is called, the two players will stand one meter apart with each player closest to the goal she is defending. The referee will stand 4-8 meters away and on the whistle, throw the ball into the air.
• Slow Whistle: A held whistle will be indicated by a referee holding a yellow flag over her head. This is done when a foul occurs within the critical scoring area by the defense and the attack is on a scoring drive. If the attack gets off an unhindered shot, the advantage indicated by the flag is over and either a goal is scored or play continues. If a shot is not taken because there was a second foul elsewhere or the player with the ball is fouled, a free position will be awarded to the nearest attack player at the spot of the nearest foul.