The Players
There are four positions in box lacrosse: forwards, transition players, defencemen and goaltenders. A team is composed of six players on the floor — five runners (forwards, transition, and/or defencemen) and one goaltender. Teams have an Active Roster of 21 players. For each game, a team is allowed to dress 19 players consisting of 17 runners and two goaltenders. A team’s two remaining Active Roster players that are not dressed for a game are called scratches.
A forward‘s main goal is to provide their team offence. These players specialize in scoring goals and creating chances for their team while facing off against the other team’s defencemen.
Defencemen are the players trying to stop the other team’s forwards from scoring. These players regain possession for their team and shut down the opponent’s scoring opportunities.
Transition players can play on either side of the ball. These players take advantage of changes in possession and control the ball while their team’s defence leave the floor and their forwards return to the floor. Transition players are a jack of all trades, as they can defend and attack.
Goaltenders are easily identified by their large padding and unique helmets and sticks. They are the last line of defence as they stand in the crease to guard their team’s net and stop the opponent’s shots. The goaltender can be removed and substituted for an extra runner at any time. Each team has one substitute goaltender on their bench who will be fully dressed and ready to play should they need to enter the game in relief of the starting goaltender.
The Floor
Box lacrosse is played on a hockey rink covered by artificial turf and referred to as the floor — as opposed to field lacrosse which is played outdoors on a larger field.
There are two nets, one per team, on either side of the floor. A nine-foot radius on the turf, known as the crease, surrounds either net. Attacking players (with or without the ball) cannot stand in or touch the crease, or their goal will not count. If a player jumps or dives across the crease, the ball must cross the goal line before any part of their body touches the crease. A player without the ball cannot run through the crease and be the next person to touch the ball, or possession will be turned to the other team.
The penalty box is where players who have committed a penalty are sent to sit until their penalty is finished. The penalty box is separated into two, one for either team, to keep opposing players apart should they receive penalties at the same time.
Both teams have a team bench located on the opposite side of the penalty box. Players who are playing in the game but not actively on the floor go to their team’s bench between shifts. Coaches and trainers are also located on their team’s bench. There is a designated neutral zone in front of the benches where substitutions can take place.
On either side of the centreline are the restraining lines. These lines indicate where players not participating in a face-off must stand until the play begins. Crossing the restraining line prior to a referee’s signal is considered a face-off violation.
The Clock
The regulation playing time of a game is 60 minutes divided into four 15-minute quarters. There are two-minute intervals between the first and second quarters as well as the third and fourth quarters. There is a 15-minute half time between the second and third quarters.
In the event of a tie score at the end of the fourth quarter, play will continue, after a two-minute interval, with sudden-death overtime. The period(s) will be 15 minutes (each) until a goal is scored to determine the winner.
There is a 30-second shot-clock — it starts when a team gains possession of the ball, and they must take a shot on goal within that time frame or the ball is turned over to the other team. Should they succeed in taking a shot on goal, the clock is reset. A shot attempt that is not on net and goes wide does not count or reset the clock. When less than 30 seconds remain in the quarter, the shot clock is not reset.
When a team on offence does not advance the ball past the centreline within 8 seconds after taking possession, an 8-second violation is called and possession is turned to the opposing team.
Teams are permitted two 45-second time-outs per half. Unused first half time-outs cannot be carried over to the second half. Teams must be in possession of the ball to call a time-out, or the ball must be dead. Coaches have the ability to challenge a call twice per game in regulation time. Losing the challenge review will cost the team a time-out.
