Who gets the ball when it goes out in women's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · Space and the circle · 5 of 7The team that touched the ball last loses it. A shot or deflected shot that goes out is the exception: the player nearest the ball where it crosses the line gets it. The player restarts 2 metres inside the line and may self-start. When nobody can say who was nearer, or who touched it last, the teams take turns: alternate possession.
How it works
- Out: a loose ball touches the boundary line or the ground beyond it.
- A player with the ball: loses it by stepping on or over the line or grounding the stick there.
- Last touch: "The player/team that last touched the ball before it went out of bounds will lose Possession."
- Not a foul: "it is a simple change of Possession".
- A shot: "The player nearest to the ball where it crosses the boundary will gain Possession."
- The goalkeeper: if nearest and inside the circle, restarts there.
- The restart: 2 m inside the boundary with opponents at least 1 m away. A self-start is allowed.
- Equal distance: alternate possession.
- Off an official: a shot that deflects out off an official's body brings alternate possession.
- Straight out from a draw: alternate possession, 2 m inside the line.
- Alternate possession: the teams take turns. The team that wins the opening coin toss chooses ends or the first turn.
- No advantage from leaving: a player may not run out of bounds and come back in a better position.
The glossary has the out of bounds entry, the alternate possession entry, the shot on goal and the restart entry. Its entries are written for sixes.
Tricky cases
A shot misses, stops on the grass and is then knocked out. Who gets it?
The other team from the last touch. Once the ball comes to rest on the field it is no longer a shot.
Two players from opposite teams are the same distance from a missed shot when it goes out. What happens?
Alternate possession.
A player runs out of bounds round a pick and comes back to check the ball-carrier. Legal?
No. Players may not run out of bounds and re-enter in a more advantageous position.
The nearest player to a missed shot is standing in the midfield area. Do they have to go offside to take it?
No. The ball is moved to the player in the midfield area, not the player to the ball.
Why the rule exists
The usual rule rewards the team that did not lose the ball. The shot rule lets teams shoot without giving the ball away on every miss, so backing up shots matters. Alternate possession settles the cases nobody can call, fairly and quickly.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Loose ball out | Other team from the last touch | WL Women Rule 15.A.1 |
| Shot out | Nearest player | WL Women Rule 15.B.3 |
| Equal or unclear | Alternate possession | WL Women Rule 15.B.3.b; 16.A.3 |
| Men's field | Equal distance on a shot brings a face-off | WL Men Rule 40.3 ii |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 15 and 16. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).