How does a face-off work in men's lacrosse?
B · Beginner · The game · 3 of 5Each quarter and each goal restarts with a face-off. Two players crouch at the centre with their sticks back to back on the ground and the ball between them. On the whistle each tries to direct the ball to a team-mate. One player from each team waits in each wing area, and everyone else stays in the goal areas until someone has the ball.
How it works
- When: at the start of each period and after each goal.
- The ball: placed on the ground at the centre, with the sticks parallel to the centre line and not touching.
- The position: both gloved hands on the ground, and hands, feet and helmet to the left of the throat of the stick.
- "Set": after it, hands and gloves must stay still until the whistle. Moving early gives the ball to the other team.
- The contest: each player may move their stick "in any manner they desire". Kicking or stepping on the other stick is illegal.
- No hands: a player may not use a hand to play the ball or grab the other stick.
- No left-handed sticks: a player with a left-handed stick may not take a face-off.
- Where the others stand: the goalkeeper and three in the defensive goal area, three in the attacking goal area and one in each wing area.
- Released: the wing players at the whistle, and the rest when a player has the ball, the ball crosses a goal area line or it goes out.
- "Possession" and "Free ball": the official calls one or the other, which releases everyone.
- Elsewhere: a face-off away from the centre is at least 18 m from goal and 6 m from a boundary, with everyone else 9 m away.
- Free play: at most restarts the ball is given to a player, and opponents must stay at least 4.6 m away until they defend.
The glossary has the restart entry, the possession entry and the loose ball. The face-off is not yet in it.
Tricky cases
A face-off player moves their stick a moment before the whistle. What happens?
The ball is given to the other team.
A face-off player traps the ball under their stick and holds it there. Is that allowed?
Not for long. A player may not trap a loose ball on the ground with the stick for longer than needed to pick it up in one continuous motion.
A defender in the goal area runs out before anyone has the ball. What is the sanction?
A minor foul for not keeping players in the designated areas. A team that does it repeatedly may be called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
The ball goes straight out of bounds from the face-off and nobody knows who touched it last. What happens?
It is faced again at the same place, with the same restrictions.
Why the rule exists
The face-off makes every restart after a goal a contest, so a team that concedes can win the ball straight back. That is why teams use face-off specialists. Holding everyone else in the goal areas keeps the contest to the wing players for the first moments.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men's field | Face-off at the centre | WL Men Rule 34 |
| Women's field | A standing draw: the ball must fly above both heads | WL Women Rule 13.A.5 |
| Sixes | A draw starts each quarter; after a goal the goalkeeper restarts | WL Sixes Rule 6.4.1; 6.5.7 |
| Face-off away from the centre | At least 18 m from goal, others 9 m away | WL Men Rule 35.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2027 Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 1.0), Rules 34, 35, 37, 61.5 and 75.4. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Men's Field Lacrosse 2025-2027 (PDF).