Section 5: Rules of Play
5.1 Duration of Play — Men's Field
A standard men's field lacrosse game at the international level consists of four (4) quarters of fifteen (15) minutes each, for a total of sixty (60) minutes of playing time. Overtime procedures apply if the score is tied at the end of regulation. Each quarter begins with a face-off at the center circle.
- Half-time: A minimum of ten (10) minutes between the second and third quarters.
- Quarter breaks: Two (2) minutes between the first and second, and third and fourth quarters.
- Shot clock: A 60-second shot clock (or 80-second in some competitions) applies once a team gains possession in its offensive half. If no shot is taken within the allotted time, possession is awarded to the opposing team.
5.2 Duration of Play — Women's Field
International women's field lacrosse is played in two (2) halves of thirty (30) minutes each, for a total of sixty (60) minutes. A half-time of at least ten (10) minutes separates the two halves. A shot clock of 90 seconds applies once a team establishes possession in its offensive half in international play.
5.3 The Face-Off (Men's Field)
Play begins with a face-off at the center circle at the start of each quarter and after each goal. Two opposing players take the face-off:
- Both players crouch with their crosses on the ground, parallel to and on either side of the center line, with the ball between them.
- On the official's whistle, the players may use their crosses to control the ball. They may not touch the ball with their hands.
- All other players must remain in the wing areas or behind the restraining lines until a player gains possession or the ball crosses the restraining line.
- If neither player gains possession within the wing area after a contested face-off, play continues as the ball rolls free.
5.4 Draw — Women's Field
Women's lacrosse begins each half and restarts after each goal with a draw at the center circle. Two opposing players stand at the center circle with their crosses held at hip height. The ball is placed between the backs of the two crosses. On the official's whistle, both players draw their crosses up and away, propelling the ball into the air. All other players must stand outside the restraining circle (a circle of 9.1 m radius at center) until the draw is released.
5.5 Ball in Play
The ball is in play from the moment the official sounds the whistle to commence play. The ball becomes dead and play stops when:
- A goal is scored
- The ball goes out of bounds
- A foul is committed and the official sounds the whistle
- The official stops play for any other reason (injury, equipment failure, etc.)
5.6 Out of Bounds
When the ball goes out of bounds, possession is awarded to the team that did not touch the ball last before it went out (except after an unsuccessful shot on goal — see Section 6). On a shot that goes out of bounds, possession is awarded to the team whose player is closest to the ball at the point it crossed the boundary. If equidistant, a face-off/draw is conducted at the nearest restraining line.
5.7 Time-Outs
Each team is granted:
- Men's Field: Two (2) time-outs per game, each lasting 90 seconds. One additional time-out per overtime period.
- Women's Field: Two (2) time-outs per game, each lasting 90 seconds.
- Time-outs may only be requested by the head coach or a player in possession of the ball. Time-outs may only be called during a dead ball situation.
5.8 Overtime
If the score is tied at the end of regulation in men's field lacrosse, a sudden-victory overtime period is played. The first team to score wins. Overtime periods are typically four (4) minutes long in international competition, with a brief intermission and coin toss determining end choice and possession. In women's field, similar sudden-victory overtime rules apply. Additional overtime periods are played as necessary until a winner is determined.
5.9 Goalkeeper Privileges
The goalkeeper has special privileges within the crease:
- The goalkeeper may touch the ball with any part of the body (including hands) while within the crease.
- Opposing players may not enter the crease or make contact with the goalkeeper within the crease.
- In men's field, the goalkeeper has four (4) seconds to release the ball after gaining possession within the crease. Failure to do so results in a technical foul.
- In women's field, the goalkeeper has 10 seconds to release the ball from within the crease.
- The goalkeeper loses these privileges (including hand touching) when outside the crease.
5.10 Loose Ball and Possession
Players may contest possession of a loose ball using their crosses. A player who has possession of the ball may shield the ball with their body, but may not use their free hand to clamp or carry the ball. Players may run with the ball cradled in their crosse. Passing and catching are unrestricted in direction and distance.