Lacrosse Field Components

Lacrosse fields are made up of a variety of components, mostly different lines and areas. These components dictate gameplay and show players where they must position themselves. Keep reading for a list of the parts of a lacrosse field.

Lacrosse Field Components

Here is a list of the various components of a lacrosse field:

• Crease (Goal Area)
• Sidelines
• Substitution Area
• Coaches’ Area
• Midfield Line/Centerline
• Center Circle
• End Lines
• Restraining Lines
• The Field of Play
• The Restraining Box
• Goals
• Goal Line Extended (GLE)
• The X
• The Hole
• The Box
• Attack and Defensive Areas
• Wing Area

Crease (Goal Area)

The goal area in lacrosse is marked by a circle line around the goal known as the crease. The crease is a circular line around the goal with a nine-foot radius (18-foot diameter) that is designated for the goalie. The goalie's teammates may enter the crease, but players on the opposing team cannot.

The goaltender plays inside the crease to protect the goal and make saves, although he can also move outside the goal area to intercept a pass or start a clear. There are restrictions limiting player movement within the crease for the safety of the goaltender and to increase the challenge of scoring.

Sidelines

Sidelines mark the boundaries of the field of play along the length of the field. The sideline area includes the substitution box, penalty area, team benches, coaches areas, and the timekeeper and scorekeeper table.

Substitution Area

Only coaches and players who are about to substitute may stand in the substitution area. The substitution area is located along the same sideline as the benches, centered on the centerline.

Coaches’ Area

The coaches’ area is an area along each team’s sideline reserved for the coaches. The coaches’ areas are located on either side of the substitution area, so coaches can easily give instructions to their substituting players. The coaches’ areas are also conveniently located for shouting commands to the players on the field.

Midfield Line/Centerline

The centerline divides the offensive and defensive halves of the field. The center circle is at the middle of the centerline, and the substitution area is at the end of the centerline, on the same side of the field as the benches. A certain number of players must stay on the offensive and defensive sides of the field, as marked by the centerline, or they will commit an offsides violation.

Center Circle

The center circle is where the draw in women’s lacrosse and the faceoff in men’s indoor lacrosse takes place. In men’s field lacrosse, the faceoff spot is marked with a small X, while in women’s lacrosse, it is a circle. Aside from the draw and faceoff, players can pass through the center circle without restriction during normal flow of play.

End Lines

The end lines are the boundaries of the shorter sides of the lacrosse field, and are perpendicular to the sidelines. The end lines are 60 yards long, and are located 15 yards behind the goals. The end lines also mark the out-of-bounds area of the field, and help determine possession on errant passes or shots.

Restraining Lines

The restraining lines run parallel to the center line and are used to prevent a team from having too many players in the offensive or defensive zones. A certain number of players must also stand behind the restraining line during draws and faceoffs.

The Field of Play

The field of play is outlined by the end lines and sidelines. If a player crosses the boundary lines they are outside the field of play. If the ball travels outside the boundary lines, play stops and depending on who last touched the ball and whether the ball was traveling from a pass or shot on goal, the ball is awarded to the team that did not touch the ball last.

The Restraining Box

There are two restraining boxes on the field. This part of the field is made up by connecting the restraining line with the sidelines and end line. The restraining box is used to define the attack area and define a zone in which the offense is under pressure to score from the shot clock.

Goals

A lacrosse field has two goals, each defended by one team. Lacrosse goals are six feet wide by six feet tall, and the rear horizontal supports form a 45° angle, making a triangle shape on the ground. The front of the goal is located on the goal line, which may or may not be marked on the field.

Goal Line Extended (GLE)

The GLE, goal line extended, is a location on the field that is thought of as an extension of the goal posts out to the sideline. The intersection of the alley and goal line extended is a location where the offense is awarded the ball after certain penalty calls.

X

X is a location on the lacrosse field located just behind the goal cage. Offensive players like to stand there because it is a great passing position. It also helps plays be a backup for shots that miss the goal cage. A first home or creaseman must be a talented feeder in order to play effectively at X. It is often a position from which an attacker will try to roll the crease, a drive aimed at pinning the on-ball defender behind the goal and shooting a close-in shot.

The Hole

The hole is a location on the lacrosse field located in front of the goal cage. The hole is a prime scoring location and as a result plays are often designed to get the team’s best shooters the ball in this position. Defensive players need to stop opposing players from being here. Close in shots from a crease drive or assist are most effective in the hole.

The Box

The box refers to two locations on the field. The first is a location made up by the restraining line and the end line. When used in reference to the offensive half, the box is the critical scoring area. The box defines the attack area and defensive area. The other box location on the field is the substitution or penalty box. The box can also refer to an offensive or defensive zone formation with four players of the same team working together in a square shape.

Attack and Defensive Areas

The attack and defensive areas refer to the areas of the field between the restraining lines and the end lines. Each of these two areas is both an attack area and a defensive area, because while the offensive team is attacking in one area, the defensive team is defending in that same area, and vice versa.

The Wing Area

The wing area is the area in the middle of the field between the attack area and the defensive area. This area is marked by lines running parallel to the sideline in the middle of the field. The wing area is also called the alley. The wing area is important during the faceoff in men’s lacrosse because players must remain behind the wing area line until the official blows the whistle to start a faceoff.

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