| Lacrosse is complimentary
to hockey with checking, shooting and goaltending, but like basketball
it has 1-on-1 play, ball control, offensive and defensive strategies.
Like basketball, box lacrosse is played indoors with a full team
offence. The players are referred to as:
Point (1) (like center in hockey)
Right Crease (2) (right wing)
Left Crease (3) (left wing)
Right Corner or Shooter (4) (right defense)
Left Corner or Shooter (5) (left defense)
The floor is divided into 3 zones: attacking, centre, and defensive.
What is one team's attacking zone is the other's defensive zone.
There is no offside or "icing" so the game moves very
quickly.
Offensive Strategy
When a team has possession of the ball, it may operate a 'fast break'
offense by looking for the break-away pass, or it may operate a
ball-control offense and walk the ball down the floor. When the
offensive team has the ball in the attacking zone, they will be
looking for a good 1-on-1 situation where their best ball handler
can beat his man, or for a player open in the 'prime scoring area'
to whom the ball can be passed. The 'prime scoring area' is the
zone in front of the crease from which most goals are scored. It
can be compared to the 'slot' in hockey.
Defensive Strategy
Once the team loses possession of the ball it immediately retreats
into its defensive zone. Most defenses play a man-to-man coverage.
Hockey style forechecking does not exist for the same reasons as
in basketball, the ball carrier has such good ball control that
it is highly unlikely he will lose the ball. Only near the end of
very close games will you see the losing teams 'press' the offensive
team hoping for a turnover.
Left vs Right
shot
Players who shoot right (right hand is held closest to the head/pocket)
normally play the left side of the offense so that the head of the
stick and the ball are closer to the center of the playing surface.
This is very important when cutting to the net to take a shot. The
very best players are ambidextrous which makes it extremely difficult
for a defender.
Change of Possession
When one team offends and no penalty is called, the other team is
awarded possession. For example, if a player passes or shoots the
ball into the stands the other team is given possession of the ball
and play resumes immediately. The most common change of possession
calls are for 'loose ball interference', 'free hand', and '30 seconds'.
30 Second clock
Whenever a team is in possession of the ball the offensive team
has 30 seconds in which to take a shot on the net, or they lose
possession. If the offensive team loses control of the ball (a missed
pass for example), the 30 second clock will continue to run as if
the offensive team still has the ball. The 30 second clock will
only be reset whenever a shot hits the goalie or the goal posts/crossbar,
or when the defending team gains possession of the ball. The clock
will continue to run if a shot misses the net.
10 Second rule
(short handed)
When a team is shorthanded, they have 10 seconds to get the ball
into their attacking zone. Failing to do so results in a loss of
possession.
Offside, Icing
or other line calls
In Lacrosse there is no offside or icing. When the offensive team
is in the attacking zone and is playing shorthanded, they will automatically
lose possession if the ball leaves the attacking zone. This is called
'back over'.
Free hand (Pushing
off)
A player in possession of the ball may NOT ward off defenders with
a free hand or arm (a hand that is not holding onto the stick).
This will result in loss of possession.
Loose Ball (Interference)
If 2 players are going after a loose ball they must play the ball
and not check the other until he has possession.
The Goalie Crease
In Lacrosse the goalie crease is a restricted zone that is considered
to be an imaginary vertical cylinder including the floor line. Attacking
players may not enter the crease of their own free will under any
circumstances. If they are in possessrion of the ball and enter
the crease, they lose possession. If they are pushed into the crease
they must make every effort to get out quickly. The offensive player
may not reach into the crease to retrieve a loose ball. If an opposing
player makes contact with the goalie in the crease it is usually
a penalty. A Player or goalie in possession of the ball outside
the crease will lose possession if he enters or runs through his
own crease.
In Novice and younger, a team may pass the ball to the goalie once
in every possession. The ball must be carried or passed out of the
crease within 5 seconds of getting possession of the ball in the
crease. A player of the same team may enter his own crease in order
to retrieve a loose ball, or to accept the ball from the goalie.
A goalie is still considered to be in the crease as long as one
foot is inside the crease area.
Stuck Ball
Should the ball become lodged in the stick, play will be halted,
the referee will free the ball, and then play will continue without
change of possession.
High Sticking
Contact between a checker's stick and the opposition player's neck,
face or helmet will normally result in a penalty. Incidental contact
with the helmet is not automatically a penalty. If a player 'ducks'
into a high stick, a penalty will NOT be called.
Slashing
In Minor Lacrosse a player may NOT strike an opponent with that
portion of the stick NOT held between the hands. Only stick to stick
contact is allowed. Swinging the stick with one hand is very likely
to lead to a penalty.
A penalty will be assessed if a player in the process of passing
or shooting follows through with his stick and slashes an opponent.
A penalty will NOT be called if the defender MOVES into the range
of the follow through.
Cross Checking
A cross-check is defined as a check which consists of directing
the stick held rigidly in two hands in a forceful manner against
the body of an opposing player, or any check of this nature applied
below the waist.
The proper way to check is to use BENT arms while making contact
with the opposing player, then pushing.
ANY PLAYER on the team that has possesion of the ball may be checked
by a defender while in the 24 foot crease. The offensive player
may not check back.
Checking from
Behind
A penalty wil be assesed to a player who body-checks or cross-checks
an opponent from behind. This normally happens when a player with
the ball is being pusued down the floor, or when playing a loose
ball in the corner.
This is the most serious of penalties and will be dealt with severly.
The Draw (face-off)
There is always a draw after a goal. (If the ball directly enters
the net after striking the goalie in the helmet or face mask, the
goal will be allowed.) The players taking the draw will be positioned
so that their left shoulder points toward the opposing goal. Only
the two players taking the draw are allowed inside the face-off
area until the ball leaves the two-foot circle. Any other player
entering the two commitment lines (the two lines going accross the
floor at the center zone) early will result in possession of the
ball given to the non-offending team,
Kicked Ball
The ball may be kicked, but not for a goal. |
