What is shooting space in women's lacrosse?
A · Advanced · Space and the circle · 1 of 3Two rules keep the area in front of goal safe for shooting. A defender may not stand in the shooting lane between the ball-carrier and the goal, unless she is marking an attacker within a stick's length. And a defender may not stay more than three seconds in the 11-metre fan in front of goal unless she is marking an attacker that closely. Both are major fouls.
How it works
- Shooting space: a defender "must not block or guard the goal, with any part of their body for the purpose of obstructing the shooting lane".
- When: only when the attack has the ball within the 15 m marking area.
- Not a foul when: the defender is drawn into the lane by the attacker she is marking within about 1.5 m, or is standing below the goal line extended.
- Approaching: a defender closing on the ball-carrier must keep her body out of the lane until within a stick's length.
- Only if a shot is on: the call is made only when the ball-carrier is looking to shoot and has the chance.
- Three seconds: a defender "must not remain in the 11m Fan for more than three seconds unless they are marking an opponent Within a Crosse Length".
- One marker only: only one defender may mark the same attacker without the ball in the fan.
- In or out: both feet must be in the fan to count. One foot on the line or beyond is out.
- The penalty: a free position at the nearest hash mark of the 11 m arc, with the offender 4 m behind and the arc cleared.
- A held whistle: during a scoring play, the advantage flag may be raised instead.
The glossary has the major foul and the shot on goal. Shooting space and three seconds are not yet in it.
Tricky cases
A defender is in the shooting lane but marking the shooter closely. Is that a foul?
No. A defender within a stick's length of the attacker she is marking may be drawn into the lane.
The attacker is 20 metres out with the ball. Does shooting space apply?
No. It applies only when the attacking team has the ball within the 15 m marking area.
A defender in the fan steps one foot onto the arc line on the count of two. Does the count start again?
Once one foot is on the line or beyond, she is out of the fan and the count no longer applies.
What does the attacker get for a shooting space foul?
A free position at the hash mark nearest the foul on the 11 m arc. The 11 m area is cleared and the offender moves 4 m behind.
Why the rule exists
Field players wear no helmets, so a defender standing in the path of a shot is in danger and blocks a safe shot. Shooting space keeps the lane clear. Three seconds stops a defence from packing the fan in front of goal and makes it mark players, not space.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Shooting space | In force only within the 15 m area | WL Women Rule 20.A.19 |
| Three seconds | 11 m fan, unless marking within 1.5 m | WL Women Rule 20.A.20 |
| Free position | Nearest hash mark, 11 m area cleared | WL Women Rule 20.B.4; 20.B.7 |
| Men's field and sixes | No shooting space rule | WL Men; WL Sixes (no such rule in either book) |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 1.A.6, 1.A.7, 20.A.19, 20.A.20, 20.B.4 and 20.B.7. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).