What is a major foul in women's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · Fouls and cards · 7 of 7Major fouls are the serious ones. Many are about stick control near the head, since field players wear no helmets: a check to the head, a dangerous check, a dangerous shot or follow-through, a swipe. Others are about contact: charging, blocking, illegal contact, detaining and tripping. The player fouled gets a free position with the offender 4 metres behind, and some major fouls bring an automatic card.
How it works
- Check to the head: striking an opponent on the head with the stick. Mandatory card.
- Dangerous check: a rough or reckless stick check, or one "within a field Crosse width of a player's head", about 18 cm.
- Dangerous follow-through, dangerous propel, swipe: each a mandatory card.
- Dangerous shot: a shot taken "dangerously or without control".
- Across the body: reaching round or across an opponent's body to check when level with or behind her.
- Block: moving into an opponent's path without giving her time and space to stop or turn.
- Charge: an attacker who barges into a defender holding a legal defensive position.
- Illegal contact: displacing, holding or pushing an opponent. Hitting or pushing with the stick counts too.
- Detain, hook, trip: holding a player's stick or body, hooking with the head of the stick, tripping.
- Illegal cradle and ward: protecting the stick with an arm or body, or guarding it with the arm.
- Shooting space and three seconds: in front of goal, on the previous page.
- Misconduct: unsporting behaviour by a player or team staff is a major foul, and may also be carded.
- The penalty: a free position at the spot of the foul, with the offender 4 m behind. Inside the 11 m area, at a hash mark, with the area cleared.
The glossary has the major foul, slashing, the illegal body check and the foul cards entry. Its entries are written for sixes.
Tricky cases
A defender's stick check passes close to an attacker's face but touches only the stick. Is it a foul?
Yes, if it was within about a stick's width of the head. That is a dangerous check.
A defender stands still and the attacker runs into her. Who fouled?
The attacker, if the defender held a legal defensive position. That is a charge.
A defender fouls an attacker who would almost certainly have scored. What happens?
A free position, and the official may clear everyone between the attacker and the goal, including the goalkeeper. The goal circle stays empty.
Does a major foul always bring a card?
No. Only a check to the head, a swipe, a dangerous follow-through and a dangerous propel must be carded. Others may be.
Why the rule exists
With no helmets for field players, the space round the head is protected by rule rather than equipment. That is why checks near the head and uncontrolled shots are major fouls, and why the worst bring a card every time.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Major foul | Free position, offender 4 m behind | WL Women Rule 20.B.3 |
| Inside the 11 m area | Free position at a hash mark | WL Women Rule 20.B.4 |
| Mandatory card | Check to the head, swipe, dangerous follow-through, dangerous propel | WL Women Rule 23.A.2 |
| Men's field | One to three minutes in the penalty box | WL Men Rule 68.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 20, 22 and 23. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).