Women's field lacrosse rules rules, for watching
Start with the rules you see all the time, then the ones that change results.
Settling an argument? Search all 15 rules
- What is women's field lacrosse and how big is the field?
- How long is a women's lacrosse game?
- How does the draw work in women's lacrosse?
- When does a goal count in women's lacrosse?
- Is there a shot clock in women's lacrosse?
- What is offside in women's lacrosse?
- How do substitutions work in women's lacrosse?
- What are the goal circle rules in women's lacrosse?
- Who gets the ball when it goes out in women's lacrosse?
- What is shooting space in women's lacrosse?
- What is a minor foul in women's lacrosse?
- What is a major foul in women's lacrosse?
- What is a free position in women's lacrosse?
- Why does the women's lacrosse official raise a flag and let play go on?
- What do yellow and red cards mean in women's lacrosse?
Where these rules come from
| Tag | Document |
|---|---|
| WL Women Rule plus number | World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, in force from 1 January 2025. Read: Rules 1, 2, 5, 11 to 18, 21, 23 and 24 and Appendix A in full; Rules 3, 6, 19, 20 and 22 in part |
| WL Men Rule, WL Sixes Rule plus number | The men's field and sixes books, used only in "where it differs" rows |
| R | "Why the rule exists", or a point reasoned from the rule, not stated in it |
| C | Common usage or general knowledge, not a rule |
Checked on 21 October 2026.
Ten a side. This book allows up to ten players on the field, one of whom may be a goalkeeper. Older women's rules had twelve (C, general knowledge); pages and search terms should not repeat that.
Dates. The book covers 2025 and 2026. Its shot clock (Rule 24) starts at World Lacrosse women's events on 1 January 2027, and the book says the next edition, due for January 2027, will fold it in. These pages should be re-checked against that edition.
Not covered: the stick specifications (Appendix H), the field diagrams (the advantage flag area and the 11 m fan are drawn, not described), Rules 7 to 10 (captains, coaches, officials, table), the World Lacrosse tournament appendices and the officials' signals.
Not covered: the stick specifications (Appendix H), the field diagrams (the advantage flag area and the 11 m fan are drawn, not described), Rules 7 to 10 (captains, coaches, officials, table), the World Lacrosse tournament appendices and the officials' signals.