I've been asked to post this. It might be useful for new player parents. Note that this isn't a full list of the rules. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask a coach.....
A Parent’s Guide to Girl’s Lacrosse
Especially at first, these are the things that parents should look for (and hopefully cheer loudly for):
1. Completed Passes
2. Interceptions
3. Picking up ground balls on the first try (bonus cheers for not ‘flicking’ the ball into the air and then catching it)
4. Effective cradling of the ball when running
5. Defense (a) engaging the opponent effectively, (b) forcing the opponent to run where she doesn’t want to go, (c) managing an effective double team (big bonus cheers for this) and (d) causing a ‘three second’ whistle against the opponents (enormous cheers, hoots, and whistles for this)
Some rules you will likely encounter for the first time:
1. No attacking player may cross the plane of the crease (goal circle) with stick, body, or feet.
2. No covering the ball with a stick when trying to pick up a ground ball (and no ‘raking’ the ball back into the stick).
3. No body contact which prevents an opponent from trying to get the ball.
4. No stick checking at all (at this level- 7th/8th graders are allowed some limited stick checking).
5. There can be no stick-to-body (or body-to-stick) contact. This is a new rule this year.
6. On the draw (faceoff at the beginning of the game, and after a goal), the ball must clear the heads of the two opposing players
7. All players must immediately freeze when the whistle blows
8. No shots on goal can be taken when a defending player is in the way. This is a defensive penalty, and the attacker is awarded a free shot.
9. There are no 'offsides', like in soccer or hockey, but there are limits to how many players can be in the region between the restraining line (a line 30 yds from the goal towards the center line): There can only be 7 offensive players and 8 defensive players - including the goalie.
10. No defensive player can be within the 8m arc for longer than 3 sesconds unless she is within a stick's length from an offensive player. This is one '3 second rule'.
11. The other '3 second rule', which is specifically for youth players (who aren't allowed full stick checking) states that if an offensive player holds her stick in a 'checkable position' as defined by full checking rules for longer than 3 seconds, she will lose possesion of the ball. This is designed to reward defensive players for their play
When is the whistle going to blow?
1. When the ball goes out of bounds.
2. When a goal is scored
3. When a foul is called
a. There are two types of fouls- Major and Minor
b. Major fouls are those that are potentially dangerous, and have a significant effect on the game. These are divided into three areas:
1. Fouls involving the stick
2. Fouls involving the body
3. Fouls within the critical scoring area
c. Minor fouls have less of an impact on game play, and generally just involve a change of possession. In this case, the offending player must move 4 meters away from the fouled player, in the direction that she had approached her.
Positions:
• Point This is the defender closest to the crease, and has the primary responsibility of covering the attacker’s first home player. She must be trained to defend the crease, be a good shot blocker, must have strong body checking positioning, and capable of making good decisions.
• Coverpoint The Coverpoint plays in front of the point, and is responsible for covering the attacker’s second home player. She should be a defender, able to play one-on-one with her opponent, and as the leader of the defensive unit, must have very good communications skills.
• Third Man This player plays in front of the coverpoint, and is responsible for marking the attacker’s third home. While primarily a defensive player, she needs to be assertive in disrupting midfield play by intercepting passes, and sliding to pick up free opponents. When her team has possession of the ball, the Third Man is often involved in midfield transition, and occasionally has the opportunity to score.
• Defense Wings The right and left defense wings mark the opposing attack wings, and line up on the circle for the draw. Defense wings need to be the fastest defenders, to keep up with the attack wings, and to recover back to defense to pick up on free opponents. They must be good blockers and body checkers, and are valuable in transition and opportunistic on attacks. Defense wings should be able to shoot from the outside (of the fan).
• Center The center performs the draw, and after the ball is in play, marks her opposing center. If necessary, she should fill in for her defensive teammates if they get caught out of position. The center must have consistent ball skills, and as part of both offensive and defensive units, must posses speed and endurance to cover both ends of the field.
• Attack Wings After the draw, the ball often goes to the wings (left or right) who are lined up on the center circle. Attack wings are usually the fastest players, able to make a quick transition that leads to a fast break. Attack wings need to be strong passers and shooters.
• Third Home This player lines up on the circle at the draw, and is marked by the defender’s third man. This player must be a well rounded attacker, with good strong ball and shooting skills. She must be able to protect and distribute the ball while in transition to offense. She should be quick to recognize change of possession, and to switch to her defensive role.
• Second Home The second home should be a dynamic attack player, with great stick skills. She is often the attack’s leader or playmaker. She must be able to get open, and receive passes, so she can shoot or distribute the balls to her teammates.
• First Home This player plays closest to the goal, and should be able to protect the ball and feed it to her teammates. She must possess excellent cradling, dodging and shooting skills; be able to react to the ball and her teammates’ movements. She will often play behind the goal to set up offensive plays.
• Goalkeeper Her primary responsibility is to defend the goal cage, using her stick and body to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line. Her main weapon is her stick; she should only stop balls with her body as a secondary measure. Her traits are: good footwork, good body positioning, and ability to read angles and adjust accordingly.
