What Is A Technical Foul In A Lacrosse Game?
There are two main categories of penalties in lacrosse - technical fouls and personal fouls. A technical foul in lacrosse is a penalty that is not an act of physical aggression or unsportsmanlike conduct. A technical foul is considered less serious than a personal foul.
Types of Technical Fouls
In lacrosse, there are lots of technical fouls. Here is a complete list of technical fouls you should know:
- 3 Second Violation
- Crease Violation
- Delay of Game
- Holding
- Illegal Procedure
- Illegal Screen
- Offside
- Pushing
- Stalling
- Warding
3 Second Violation
The 3-second rule in lacrosse is a rule in women's and girl's lacrosse that prevents a defensive player from staying within the 8-meter arc longer than 3 seconds unless they are within one stick's length of an offensive player.
Crease Violation
Movement within the crease area is very restricted to protect the safety of the goaltender. A crease violation occurs when an attacker with or without possession of the ball touches the crease line or travels into the crease, unless they were pushed or the victim of a tripping foul or if they were playing a dive shot and moving away from the front of the goal.
Delay of Game Fouls
A delay of game foul is a type of technical foul that is called when a player or coach causes a delay in play.
Holding
Holding is when one player uses their stick or free hand to restrict another player’s movement.
Illegal Procedure
Examples of an illegal procedure include a field player touching the ball with one or both hands, or the goaltender handling the ball outside of the crease area; a player leaving the penalty area before the full time of the penalty is served; and a delay of game.
Illegal Screen
The illegal screen foul in lacrosse is a rules violation that occurs when a screen or pick is set up incorrectly. A screen cannot result in contact with the opponent while the player trying to set a screen is moving. A screen is legal if the player stands motionless, vertical and contains his or her body within shoulder width.
Offsides
Offsides in lacrosse is a penalty that results from a team having too many players across the restraining line in either their offensive or defensive half. In women's lacrosse, the offense is deemed offside if they have greater than seven players in the offensive or defensive area. In men's field lacrosse, the offense is deemed offside if they have more than six attackers in their offensive half or more than seven defenders in their defensive half. This includes players in the penalty box.
Pushing
Pushing is a physical infraction that occurs when a player shoves an opposing player from behind. In men's lacrosse, pushing is allowed from the front or side when an opposing player is carrying the ball or within five yards of a loose ball. Using a stick as leverage to push is known as cross checking. A push is legal with the shoulder, forearm or closed hand, and both hands must be on the handle of the stick. Pushing is not allowed in women's lacrosse and results in a free position penalty.
Stalling
Stalling in lacrosse is a tactic by the team in possession of the ball to keep possession around the outside of the offensive area or passing the ball back into the defensive area without initiating any drives or forward progress towards the goal.
Warding
Warding is when a player with possession of the ball uses their free arm to push off their defender. This technique is legal if a defender is actively checking the attacker.
Enforcement of Technical Fouls
The officiating crew observes the flow of play and blows the whistle to signal for a technical foul. In some cases when the offense is fouled but would be disadvantaged on a scoring opportunity, the official will signal play on or use a slow whistle. A technical foul results in a 30-second releasable penalty or a change of possession. If the team that was fouled has possession of the ball, the offending player on the opposing team must serve a 30-second releasable penalty in the penalty area. If the team that was fouled does not have possession of the ball and the official rules for a technical foul, such as offsides, the corrective action is a change of possession.