North Andover Lacrosse Association

Boys Lacrosse Definitions and  Fouls

DEFINITIONS

Stick Checking : an attempt to dislodge the ball from the opponent’s crosse (stick).

1. Poke check, a player thrusts the head of his stick at his opponent’s stick.
2. Slap check, a player slaps the head of his stick at his opponent’s stick.
3. Wrap check, a one-handed stick check in which a defender swings his stick around his opponent’s body to dislodge the ball.

Body Check : contact with an opponent from the front, between the shoulders and the waist, when opponent has the ball or is within five yards of a loose ball.

Cutting : a movement by an offensive player without the ball, toward the opponent’s goal in anticipation of receiving the ball for shooting on goal.

Riding : the act of trying to prevent the defensive team from clearing the ball.

Defensive Clearing Area : the area defined by a line drawn side to side (20) yards from the goal line. Once the defensive team gains possession of the ball in this area, it has (10) seconds to move the ball beyond the Goal Area Line. Once beyond the ball cannot be returned to the Defensive Clearing Area

Attack Goal Area : the area around the goal defined by the end line, the Goal Area Line & the two broken lines 20 yards on either side of the goal. Once the offensive team crosses the midfield line, it has (10) seconds to move the ball into the attack goal area.

Crease : circle area around the goal, 9 ft. in diameter. Only the goalie & defensive players may enter.

Pick : an offensive maneuver in which a stationary player attempts to block the path of a defender with his body.

Box : An area on the sideline used to hold players who have been served with penalties, and through which substitutions "on the fly" are permitted directly from the sideline onto the field.

Check-Up : A call given by the goalie to alert the defender to find his man and call out his number.

Clamp : A face-off maneuver executed by quickly pushing the back of the stick on top of the ball.

Clearing : Running or passing the ball from the defensive half of the field to the attack goal area.

Crosse (Stick) : The equipment used to throw, catch and carry (cradle) the ball.

Extra Man Offense : A man advantage that occurs following a time-serving penalty.

Face-Off : A technique used to put the ball in play at the start of each quarter, or after a goal is scored. Player's squat down and the ball is placed between their sticks.

Fast Break : A transition scoring opportunity in which the offense has at least a one man advantage.

Ground Ball : A loose ball on the playing field.

Handle (Shaft) : The pole connected to the head of the stick.

Head : The plastic or wood part of the stick connected to the handle.

Loose Ball : A situation in which neither team has control of the ball.

Man Down Defense : The situation that results from a time-serving penalty which causes the defense to play with a least a one man disadvantage.

Midfield Line : The line bisecting the field of play.

On-the-Fly Substitution : A player substitution made during play. Usually executed while the ball is being handled offensively.

Pocket : The strung part of the head of a stick that holds the ball.

Rake : A face-off maneuver in which a player sweeps the ball to the side. Release: term used by an official to notify a penalized player in the box that he may re-enter the game.

Unsettled Situation : Any situation in which the defense is not positioned correctly, usually due to a loose ball or an unsuccessful clear.

FOULS

Personal Fouls : suspension from the game from one to three minutes

Slashing : swinging a crosse (stick) at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or recklessness, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck. Slashing is also striking an opponent in the face, head, neck, chest, back, shoulders, or below the waist with the crosse, head or butt end.

Tripping : a player may not trip an opponent with any part of his body or crosse.

Cross Checking : a player may not check (push, shove, hold) his opponent with the shaft of his crosse between his hands whether extended from or held close to the body.

Illegal Body Checks : includes:
1. body checking an opponent who does not have the ball or within five yards of a loose ball. 2. an avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball.
3. body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist.
4. body checking an opponent above the shoulders.
5. a player must keep both hands on his crosse therefore no elbowing or use of free hand to     check an opponent.

Unnecessary Roughness :
1. Excessively violent infraction of the rules such as holding and pushing.
2. Deliberate and excessive violent contact made by a defensive player against an offensive   who has established a screening position.
3. Any avoidable act by a playerthat is deliberate and excessively violent whether it be with  the body or crosse.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct : No player, non-player, coach, or official of the competing team shall commit any act such as argumentative of an officials decision, try to influence an official, use threatening, profane or obscene language or gestures during a game. Call, bait, or taunt any player or official.

Expulsion Fouls : three-minute non-releasable penalties. Fighting or any malicious and deliberate strike or attempt to strike someone is reason for a game expulsion as well as a " Take-out" check.

Illegal Crosse, Gloves, or Equipment : a player may not use a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A player may not use any equipment that does not meet specifications e.g. fingers and palms may not be cut out of a players gloves.

Technical Fouls : awarding the ball to the other team and/or a 30-second suspension penalty.

Holding & Interfering : a player may not interfere with, hold or impede the crosse or movement of an opponent unless the opponent has the ball or the ball is in flight or loose.

Offside : occurs when a team does not have at least four players on its defensive side of the midfield line or at least three players on its offensive side of the midfield line.

Pushing : occurs when a player thrusts or shoves a player from behind. Pushing is permitted from the front and side when the opponent has the ball or is within five yards.

Screening : an illegal screen is when a player moves into and makes contact or moves with the defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending. To be legal screen, the offensive player must be stationary before contact is made.

Stalling : a team intentionally holds the ball without conducting normal offensive play. A team in possession of the ball in the attack area can not be penalized for stalling.

Warding-Off : occurs when a player with the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push, or control the direction of the opponents stick check.

Other Technical Fouls : throwing one’s crosse, touching the ball while in play, holding or stepping on a opponents crosse, lateness, delay of game, too many players on the field, goal crease violations, deliberately withholding the ball from play.