Women's lacrosse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A women's lacrosse player carries the ball past a defender
Women's lacrosse is a popular version of lacrosse, a team sport of Native American origin played with netted sticks that are used to throw, catch and shoot a small rubber ball into the opponent's goal.
The first women’s lacrosse game was played in 1890 at the St Leonards School in Scotland,[1] the first women's lacrosse team in the United States was established at Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. Men’s and women’s lacrosse were played under virtually the same rules, with no protective equipment, until the mid-1930s. At that time, men’s lacrosse began evolving dramatically.
Women’s lacrosse is played with a team of 12 players; one of the players is usually the goalkeeper. The ball used is typically yellow. But, if both teams agree then the game can be played with a bright orange ball. The duration of the game is 60 minutes, two halves of 30 minutes each. Each team is allowed one 90-second team time-out per half. Time-outs may be taken after a goal has been scored. In 2008, a new rule was regulated if a team has possession in their attacking end, then they may call a time out.
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[edit] International governance
Beginning in 1972, the sport was governed internationally by the International Federation of Women's Lacrosse Associations (IFWLA). The formation of the IFWLA actually predated that of the corresponding body for men's lacrosse, the International Lacrosse Federation (ILF), by two years.
In August 2008, after negotiations lasting four years, the IFWLA and ILF agreed to merge into a single governing body, the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL). All tournaments operated by the IFWLA will be taken over by the FIL.
[edit] Rules
The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse. The details which follow are the USA rules. International women's lacrosse rules are slightly different.[2]
Women's lacrosse rules are specifically designed to allow less physical contact between players. As a result of the lack of contact, the only protective equipment required is eyewear and a mouthguard.[3] Although these are the only protective equipment, there are still many injuries due to accidental checks to the head and the overall aggressiveness of the sport. The pockets of women's sticks are shallower than those of the men, making the ball harder to catch and more difficult to shoot at high speed. Women play with three attackers (or "homes"), five midfielders (or "middies"), three defenders (starting from the back, called "point", "cover point", and "third man"), and one goalie.[3] Seven players play attack at one time and seven defenders are present.[3] There is a restraining line that keeps the other four players (plus the goalie) from going into the attack. If those players cross the line, they are considered offsides and a penalty is given.[3]
The "draw" is what starts the game and keeps the game going after a point. The draw is when two girls, one from each team, stand in the center circle with the backs of their sticks facing each other. Then the referee places the ball between the two sticks. Each player has to push their sticks together parallel to the ground to contain the ball. There are allowed four players from each team to stand along the circle surrounding the center circle during the draw. The players’ sticks around the circle cannot break the line until the whistle is blown. The centers must lift and pull their sticks over their heads releasing the ball.
When the referee blows the whistle during play everyone must stop exactly where they are. If the ball goes out of bounce on a shot then the player that is closest to the ball receives the possession. If the ball goes out of bounce not on a shot then the other team is awarded with the possession. For example, if a player threw a bad pass to her teammate and the ball went out of bounce then the other team would receive the ball.
Protecting one's stick from being checked is a very important key in the game of women's lacrosse.[3] In order to protect the stick from being checked, the player must cradle the ball. If the player has a strong "cradle", it would make it much more difficult to recover the ball for the opposing team. "Cradling" is the back and forth movement and twisting of the head of the stick.
In women's lacrosse, players may only check if the check is directed away from the ball carrier's head.[3] Also, players may only check using the side of their stick. If caught by one of the referees using the flat of the head, it will be called as a "held check" and the opposing team will get the ball.[3]
There are two types of fouls in woman's lacrosse, major and minor.[3] When a minor foul is committed anywhere on the field, the player who fouled is set four meters to whichever side she was guarding the person she obstructed. If a major foul occurs outside of the 12 meter fan or eight meter arc, the fouler must stand four meters behind the player she fouled.[3]
There are two different surroundings around the goal on both sides of the field. The eight meter arc and the 12 meter fan. When committing a major foul inside either of these areas, all players that were previously inside the surrounding must take the most direct route out. The player who was fouled now moves to the nearest hash mark that is located around the edges of the arc or fan and either takes position to shoot or to pass (although, most often to shoot). When the whistle is blown, the player with the ball may move up and try for a goal.[3]
The most important rule in women's lacrosse is shooting space, this is a violation of the rules. It occurs when a defender moves in at a bad angle on the offender while shooting in the 8 meter arc. This is a dangerous play made by the defender.
Women's games are played in two 30-minute halves. These 30 minutes are running time, except for the last two minutes, during which time stops when the whistle is blown (This can differ when playing high school or middle school games).[3] While the whistle is blown, players are not allowed to move. In women's lacrosse, players are not allowed to touch the ball with their body or cover the ball with their stick in order to scoop it into their stick or protect the ball from picked up by an opponent.[3]
The women's lacrosse game saw numerous rule changes in 2000.[4] Modifications include limiting the amount of players allowed between the two restraining lines on the draw to five players per team. Stick modifications have led to offset heads, which allow the women's game to move faster and makes stick moves and tricks easier. In 2002, goggles became mandatory equipment in the United States (but not a requirement in international rules). In 2006, hard boundaries were adopted.
Penalties for women's lacrosse are assessed with the following cards:[3]
[edit] List of fouls
Women's lacrosse includes both major and minor fouls, major fouls listed in the NCAA rule book as of 2008 are:
Minor Fouls listed in the NCAA rule book as of 2008 are:
[edit] Tips
The key to lacrosse is to keep the ears and the eyes open, spread out, and do not force anything. Communication is secret in the game of lacrosse. Forcing the pass will more than likely turn the ball over to the other team. Forcing something like a shot gives you three options and only one is good; goalie saves it, shot goes out of bounce and it is turned over, or the goal is scored. When the goalie saves the ball it is important for the team to spread out and away from one another. By doing that it creates space and allows the goalie to find an open pass easier and safer.
[edit] Women's Lacrosse World Cup
Every four years, the Women's Lacrosse World Cup is held. It was organized by the IFWLA before its merger with the IFL, and will be organized in the future by the FIL. Australia is currently the world champion after a record making win over the United States in 2005.
