Lacrosse considered Canada's national summer sport is played by team players. Each team is composed of 0 players on the field at a time: three attackmen, three midfielders, three defenders and one goaltender.The object of the game is to use a netted stick and pass a ball and score in an opposing team's net. The length is broken up into four quarters. In men's lacrosse men wear protective headgear, shoulder gear and so on to protect them from the ball and formal contact with other players. In women's lacrosse women only must wear protective eyewear, as there is less contact. Created by Native Americans and named by French settlers in North America this sport has been played for hundreds of years. Many believe since the 1400's.

Rules of the game

The field of play is 110 yards (100 m) long and 60 yards (54 m) wide. The goals are 6 feet (1.8 m) by 6 feet and contain a mesh netting similar to an ice hockey goal. The goal sits inside a circular "crease", measuring 18 feet (5.5 m) in diameter.

Players line up with 3 offensive players called "attackmen", 3 "midfielders" or "middies", 3 "defensemen", and 1 designated goaltender, or "goalie". Each player carries a stick.

Players scoop the ball off the ground and pass the ball in the air to other players. Players run carrying the ball with their stick, which must be in motion so many players use a technique called cradling to keep the ball in their stick. Players are permitted to hit or "check" each other. This contact plus the pace of the game creates a very fast type of game.

Personal Fouls

Slashing: Occurs when a player's stick viciously contacts an opponent in any area other than the stick or gloved hand on the stick.

Tripping: Occurs when a player obstructs his opponent at or below the waist with the crosse, hands, arms, feet or legs.

Cross Checking: Occurs when a player uses the handle of his crosse between his hands to make contact with an opponent.

Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Occurs when any player or coach commits an act which is considered unsportsmanlike by an official, including taunting, arguing, or obscene language or gestures.

Unnecessary Roughness: Occurs when a player strikes an opponent with his stick or body using excessive or violent force.

Illegal Crosse: Occurs when a player uses a crosse that does not conform to required specifications. A crosse may be found illegal if the pocket is too deep or if any other part of the crosse was altered to gain an advantage.

Illegal Body Checking: Occurs when any of the following actions takes place:

• body checking an opponent who is not in possession of the ball or within five yards of a loose ball.
• avoidable body check of an opponent after he has passed or shot the ball.
• body checking an opponent from the rear or at or below the waist.
• body checking an opponent above the shoulders. A body check must be below the shoulders and above the waist, and both hands of the player applying the body check must remain in contact with his crosse.

Illegal Gloves: Occurs when a player uses gloves that do not conform to required specifications. A glove will be found illegal if the fingers and palms are cut out of the gloves, or if the glove has been altered in a way that compromises its protective features.

Other Illegal equipment: not having a mouthgaurd, or not having it in the mouth, no shoulder pads, no arm pads (in most leagues, goalies do not have to wear arm pads so they can move their arms faster to block shots).

Technical Fouls

Holding: Occurs when a player impedes the movement of an opponent or an opponent's crosse, or a player has his crosse in between the arm pads and the players body.

Interference: Occurs when a player interferes in any manner with the free movement of an opponent, except when that opponent has possession of the ball, the ball is in flight and within five yards of the player, or both players are within five yards of a loose ball.

Offsides: 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.

Moving Pick: Occurs when an offensive player moves into and makes contact with a defensive player with the purpose of blocking him from the man he is defending, as opposed to a legal pick, standing next to a defensive player, blocking him from the player he is covering.

Stalling: Occurs when a team intentionally holds the ball, without conducting normal offensive play, with the intent of running time off the clock. This is called if no attempt is made to get in the box.

Warding Off: Occurs when a player in possession of the ball uses his free hand or arm to hold, push or control the direction of an opponent this includes pushing him off.