How long does a team have to shoot in men's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · The game · 1 of 8A team that gains the ball has 80 seconds to take a shot that hits the goal, the goalkeeper or goes in. It must get the ball over the centre line by the time the clock shows 60. Once over, it may not take the ball back into its own half. The shot clock replaces the old stalling rule and is used at the 2027 men's World Championship.
How it works
- The start: "This rule will be implemented as of January 1, 2026 and will be enforced in World Championship play at the 2027 World Lacrosse Men's World Championship."
- 80 seconds: from gaining or being awarded possession, after a face-off or a change of possession.
- A reset: a shot from above the goal line extended that hits the goalkeeper in the crease, hits a post or scores.
- No reset: a shot that hits a defender other than the goalkeeper, or a ball thrown from behind the goal, unless it goes in.
- Expired: the ball goes to the defending team.
- Into the offensive half: the ball must be there "when the shot clock displays 60 seconds". Otherwise a turnover.
- Over and back: once over, the team with the ball may not take or send it back to its defensive half or onto the centre line.
- Exceptions: after a valid shot, and when the loose ball was last touched by the defence.
- The penalty: "an immediate turnover", with a quick restart for the other team where possible.
- Timeouts and injuries: the clock continues after a timeout. It resets for a defensive injury and continues for an attacking one.
- Across periods: it carries over only for a team with an extra player that has the ball at the end of a period.
The glossary has the shot clock, the over and back entry, the goal line extended and the shot on goal.
Tricky cases
A shot hits a defender's leg and bounces out. Does the clock reset?
No. Only a shot that hits the goalkeeper in the crease or a post, or scores, resets it.
A team crosses half-way with 61 seconds left, then passes back. Is that over and back?
Not yet. The over and back rule applies once the ball has been cleared and the shot clock is at or under 60 seconds.
A defender bats the ball back into the attacking team's own half. Is that over and back?
No. It is not a violation when the loose ball was last touched by the defending team.
The shot clock fails to start. What happens?
If it does not start within five seconds, the officials stop play and reset it, unless a scoring chance is under way.
Why the rule exists
Without a shot clock a team ahead could keep the ball for minutes. The old rule left stalling to the officials' judgement. A visible 80-second clock makes the duty to attack the same for everyone, and the 60-second line stops a team from holding the ball in its own half.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men's field | 80 seconds, over half-way by 60 | WL Men Rule 43.1; 43.12 |
| Before 2026 | Stalling judged by the officials | WL Men Appendix F |
| Sixes | 30-second shot clock | WL Sixes Rule 5.3.1 |
| Women's field | 80 seconds from 2027, with no 60-second line | WL Women Rule 24 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2027 Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 1.0), Rules 43 and 61.18. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: Rules of Men's Field Lacrosse 2025-2027 (PDF).