What is a free position in women's lacrosse?
B · Beginner · Fouls and cards · 5 of 5It is how play restarts after a foul. The player fouled takes the ball at a set spot and everyone else must move away. Outside the area in front of goal, she may self-start straight away. Inside it, a major foul gives a free position on a hash mark of the 11-metre arc, with the arc cleared: often a direct shot at goal.
How it works
- Who takes it: the player who was fouled.
- Minor foul: the offender moves 4 m to the side.
- Major foul: the offender moves 4 m behind.
- Everyone else: at least 4 m away.
- Outside the advantage flag area: at the spot of the foul, at least 4 m from the boundary. The player may self-start.
- Minor foul inside the 15 m area: on the 15 m line nearest the foul.
- Major foul inside the 11 m area: at the nearest hash mark (the centre, first or second), with "the entire 11m MA cleared of the players' bodies and Crosses".
- Below the goal line extended: at the nearer dot.
- No self-start in the area: "a player awarded a Free Position in the AFA is not allowed to self-start". The official's whistle restarts play.
- An almost certain goal: the official may move any player, including the goalkeeper, out of the way. The goal circle stays empty.
- Crease and offside fouls: have their own set-ups, at the 15 m arc or the goal circle.
The glossary has the restart entry, the minor foul and the major foul. The free position is not yet in it.
Tricky cases
Can a player take a quick free position near goal?
No. In the advantage flag area she must wait for the whistle.
A defender fouls an attacker 30 metres from goal. Does the attacker have to wait?
No. Outside the advantage flag area she may self-start once both feet are still and the ball is in her stick.
Is the 11 m arc the same as the 8 metre arc?
The book marks an 11 m area. Older rules and some commentators speak of an 8 m arc.
Where does the goalkeeper stand on a free position from the arc?
In the goal circle, unless the official clears her because the foul prevented an almost certain goal.
Why the rule exists
A free position near goal is the women's game's main punishment for fouling an attacker who is about to shoot. Clearing the arc gives the shooter the chance the foul took away. The self-start keeps play moving everywhere else.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Outside the area | At the spot, self-start allowed | WL Women Rule 13.A.9; 19.B.10; 20.B.3 |
| Minor foul in the 15 m area | On the 15 m line | WL Women Rule 19.B.11 |
| Major foul in the 11 m area | At a hash mark, area cleared | WL Women Rule 20.B.4 |
| An almost certain goal | Players between ball and goal moved | WL Women Rule 20.B.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 1.A.7, 13.A.9, 17.B, 18.B, 19.B and 20.B. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).