Section 4: Players & Officials
4.1 Team Composition — Men's Field
Each team consists of ten (10) players on the field at one time:
- 1 Goalkeeper (GK)
- 3 Defensemen — primarily positioned in the defensive half
- 3 Midfielders — free to play the full field
- 3 Attackmen — primarily positioned in the offensive half
A team must have at least seven (7) players on the field to begin or continue play. Rosters may include up to 23 players for international competition, with up to 13 on the bench at any time. Three midfielders, along with the goalkeeper, may move freely across the entire field.
4.2 Team Composition — Women's Field
Each team consists of twelve (12) players on the field at one time:
- 1 Goalkeeper (GK)
- 5 Defenders
- 3 Midfielders
- 3 Attackers
All players may move freely anywhere on the field in women's lacrosse; there are no positional restrictions by rule, though tactical positioning is conventional.
4.3 Offside Rule — Men's Field
At all times during play, each team must have a minimum of:
- Three (3) players — including the goalkeeper — in its defensive half of the field
- Three (3) players in its offensive half of the field
Violation of this requirement results in an offside foul. The penalty is a 30-second technical foul served by the offending team. The goalkeeper counts as one of the three required players in the defensive half.
4.4 Substitutions
Substitutions may be made at any time during play (on-the-fly). Substituting players must enter and exit through the substitution box on the sideline. A player leaving must be within 5 yards (4.57 m) of the substitution box before the substitute may enter. Substitutions may also be made during any stoppage in play without restriction as to location. Teams may make unlimited substitutions. In women's lacrosse, on-the-fly substitutions are permitted at midfield.
4.5 Officials
Men's and women's field lacrosse are officiated by a crew of officials:
- Men's Field (World Lacrosse international): Three officials — one referee and two umpires — work the game. Each official has jurisdiction over specific areas of the field. A table crew manages the scoreboard, shot clock, and substitution box.
- Women's Field: Three officials — one chief umpire and two umpires.
- Officials have authority to enforce rules from the time they arrive on the field until they leave after the game.
- A Alternate Official may be designated to replace any official who becomes incapacitated during the game.
4.6 Officials' Authority
Officials are empowered to call fouls, award possession, time penalties, eject players, and delay, suspend, or terminate a game due to weather, unruly conduct, or unsafe playing conditions. All decisions by officials on matters of fact are final. Only the head official (referee/chief umpire) communicates with team coaches regarding rules interpretations.
4.7 Coaches and Team Bench
Only credentialed team personnel (coaches, medical staff, team managers) are permitted in the team bench area. Coaches may stand in a designated coaches' box during play. Head coaches may request a time-out or address officials on rule interpretation. Only players listed on the official roster may participate.