Men and Women's Lacrosse: Not the Same Game

Men and women's lacrosse not only have different gear but their game is different also. Differences range from the length and size of their field to the length of the game.

Women's Lacrosse Field

Men's Lacrosse Field

Field:
First of all, the layout of field is entirely different. Looking at the diagrams of the fields, you and see that they look about the same but they are completely different. In men’s lacrosse, the field measures 110 yards long and 60 yards wide. In women’s lacrosse, the field is a bit bigger: 120 yards long and 70 yards wide. The men's restraining line is closer to the circle while the women's line is farther away from the circle. The women's game uses the eight meter arc around the goal circle more than the men's game. One of the major rules in the women's game is that a defender must remain a stick's length away from their opponent while in the eight meter arc. The defender cannot be in the 8 meter arc not guarding anyone for longer than three seconds or else they will get a foul and the opposing team will have to take a penalty shot. In the men's game, there are no penalty shots. 

Contact:
In women's lacrosse, players are not allowed to have body contact between the defender and the player with the ball. The defender is also not allowed to "rough check" or swing her stick at her opponents stick aggressively. The only way the defender to safely take the ball from her opponent without getting any fouls is by a controlled check or a couple of taps on her opponent's stick head. Defenders are also not allowed to put any part of their opponent. This could result in a major foul such as a yellow card and the defender must sit out of the game for two minutes.

In men's lacrosse, nearly anything goes as far as how the defense can free the ball. They are, however, not allowed to push from behind and cannot attack their opponent's head.

Penalties: 

Penalties in women's lacrosse is a lot like soccer. The fouled team is awarded separation from the nearest defender and then they start to play again. When the foul is made, the referee calls the foul and every girl close to the girl that was fouled on, must move five meters away from her. Five meters is about five yards on a football field. If the penalty was made near the goal, the fouled player is awarded a free position shot where she is put on the closest hash mark around the eight meter arc. All the players are then suppose to move out of the eight meter arc and about five meters away from the fouled player. The fouled player then has the choice to either shoot the ball or pass it onto a teammate. 

Penalties in men's lacrosse is a lot like hockey. The player must leave the field for a period of time if a major foul was made. Minor fouls result in a change of possession.

Player Positioning:

In women's lacrosse, there are twelve players for each team on a field at one time. There are seven attackers, seven defenders, and one goalie. 

In men's lacrosse, there are ten players for each team on a field at one time. At least three players must remain on each half of the field.