What is a minor foul in men's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and penalties · 6 of 8A minor foul is one of the less serious breaches: holding, pushing, interference, an illegal pick, offside, a crease breach and many others. If the team that fouled has the ball or the ball is loose, it loses the ball. If the other team has the ball, the player who fouled spends 30 seconds in the penalty box. The book used to call these technical fouls.
How it works
- Ball to the other team: "If the offending Team has possession of the ball, or if the ball is loose", the other team gets the ball where it was.
- Thirty seconds: if the other team had the ball, "suspension from the field of play for 30 seconds".
- Any breach: of the rules of play is a minor foul unless the book lists it as a major or expulsion foul.
- Only if it matters: officials may let play go on if the breach gave no unfair advantage or disadvantage.
- Interference: blocking an opponent from a loose ball more than 2.74 m away, or from chasing the ball-carrier. A legal pick is allowed.
- Holding and pushing: outside the three-yard conditions, or from behind.
- Illegal pick: an attacker moving into a defender, or holding the stick rigid to block.
- Handling the ball: touching it with the free hand, unless the goalkeeper is in the crease.
- Withholding the ball: holding the stick close to the body to stop a check, lying on a loose ball or trapping it longer than needed.
- Illegal procedure: delaying the game, too many players, a fifth long stick, offside, crease and substitution breaches.
- Conduct foul: behaving in a way that is not sporting. The official may choose a minor or a major foul.
- Before a face-off: a minor foul gives the ball to the other team at the centre.
The glossary has the minor foul, interference, the pushing and holding entry, the withholding the ball entry and the pick.
Tricky cases
A defender holds an attacker who has the ball. What is the penalty?
Thirty seconds in the penalty box, because the other team had the ball.
An attacker with the ball holds a defender's stick. What happens?
The attacking team loses the ball, because the team that fouled had it.
Two players foul at the same time, both minor. Does anyone go to the box?
No. Simultaneous minor fouls cancel. The team that had the ball when the first was committed keeps it, or there is a face-off.
An attacker steps into the crease while the ball is live in that half. Is that a minor foul?
Yes. Any breach of the crease rules is a minor foul. Without a time penalty, the ball goes to the defence.
Why the rule exists
Most minor fouls take away an advantage rather than punish a player, so the penalty fits the moment. A team that fouls with the ball loses it. A defender who fouls a team with the ball gives the attack a 30-second chance with an extra player.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Offending team has the ball, or it is loose | Ball to the other team | WL Men Rule 50.1 i |
| Other team has the ball | 30 seconds in the penalty box | WL Men Rule 50.1 ii |
| Simultaneous minor fouls | They cancel | WL Men Rule 81.2 ii |
| Repeated minor fouls | Unsportsmanlike conduct, a major foul | WL Men Rule 75.1 v |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2027 Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 1.0), Rules 50 to 67 and 81. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Men's Field Lacrosse 2025-2027 (PDF).