League Rules

Calgary Women’s Lacrosse League - Specific Rules

There are many rules to lacrosse, however, here are the key rules that we play to align with our values and keep the game on a fair level for all players to enjoy.

• Our league is non-contact. We are here to have fun and not get hurt. Let’s keep each other safe by playing at a safe distance from each other.
• We don’t allow stick-checking.
• We play person-to-person defense.
• A team has 30 seconds to get a shot on net, otherwise the ball is turned over to the opposite team.
• No player can hold the ball for more than five seconds.
• No player can run past two defensive players.
• Dangerous balls are not allowed; meaning you have to learn to take clean shots on the goalie. (Don’t worry, we will help you if you are new!)

General Lacrosse Rules

• Length of Game:
- 3 fifteen minute straight time periods. (Goal differential of more than 5 not displayed.)
• 10 Second Rule
- When short handed, the ball must be advanced into the attacking zone within 10 seconds or
possession goes to the other team. (Rule 66)
• 30 Second Rule
- The Offensive team shall be required to take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining
possession. Otherwise possession is given to the other side. (Rule 68)
• Possession
- When awarded possession by the Referee, no player or goal keeper can be within 9 feet of the
player awarded possession. Play starts with a whistle.
• Fall Back Rule:
- When possession is gained by the goalkeeper, all defensive players must enter the Neutral
Zone. Once all the defensive players are in the neutral zone, they are free to go wherever they
want. The goalkeeper must pass the ball to one of the offensive players who must be outside
the dotted line.
• Free Hand:
- You can’t use a free hand to push or manipulate an opponent or her stick.

• Player Exchange:
- Subs can only be made during stoppage in play and on the fly. Leaving players must have one foot in the exchange area before the sub makes contact with the floor. Violation by offensive side turns ball over. Violation by defensive side results in a penalty.
• Crease Play:
- When the offensive team gains possession of the ball in their goal crease, they must pass or carry the ball out of the crease within 5 seconds or lose possession.
- When shooting on goal, a player’s feet cannot be in the crease nor can she make contact with the
floor of the crease with any part of her body.
- No goals allowed if a player of the attacking team is in the crease, unless as a result of a check while trying to get out of the crease.
• Back-in Rule
- Players and goalies cannot carry the ball back into the crease. However, the goalie can reach out and retrieve the ball, if she has one foot in the crease.
• Cross-check:
- Inside the “house” or dotted line, any offensive player can be cross-checked. Outside of the
dotted line, only the ball carrier can be checked.
• Head, back, hands, and legs are all off limits in terms of cross-checking, body-checking, and slashing.

• Many rules are similar to hockey however there are also a number which are unique to Box Lacrosse.
• Cross Checking, Stick Checking, Body Checking are all part of the game. (In an appropriate manner, with appropriate force).
• A two-minute minor penalty is often called for lesser infractions such as slashing, tripping, elbowing, roughing, too many players, illegal equipment, holding, or interference. Five-minute major penalties are called for especially violent instances of minor infractions that result in intentional injury to an opponent, as well as for fighting. Players are released from the penalty box when either the penalty time expires, or the opposition scores a goal (or three goals for the instance of a major penalty).