What is women's field lacrosse and how big is the field?
B · Beginner · The game · 1 of 5Two teams of up to ten try to throw a small rubber ball into the other team's goal with sticks, called crosses, that have a netted head. One of the ten may be a goalkeeper. The field is 100 metres long for World Lacrosse events, each goal stands 12 metres from the end line inside a circle, and arcs marked in front of each goal control where defenders may stand. Field players wear no helmets.
How it works
- Ten a side: "Any number of players up to ten (10) are permitted on the field at the same time. One of the 10 players on each team may be a goalkeeper."
- No goalkeeper: a team may play without one. Its field players may then enter the goal circle under its rules.
- Squad: up to 22 players at World Lacrosse events.
- The field: 91.4 m to 100 m long and 50 m to 60 m wide, and "100m x 50m to 60m" at World Lacrosse events.
- The goals: 1.83 m by 1.83 m, white or orange, with the goal line 12 m from each end line.
- The goal circle: a radius of 3 m round each goal.
- The 15 m marking area: a semicircle of 15 m radius in front of each goal.
- The 11 m marking area: a smaller arc in front of each goal, with seven hash marks for free positions.
- Restraining lines: across the field, 22 m from each goal line.
- The centre circle: 9 m radius, for the draw.
- Equipment: field players "are not permitted to wear headgear or face masks". They may wear eye guards, and every player wears a mouthguard.
- The goalkeeper: wears a helmet, throat protector, chest pad and padded gloves.
The glossary has the field, the goal, the goal crease, the roster and the goalkeeper. Its entries are written for sixes, and the women's terms (goal circle, marking areas, restraining line) are not yet in it.
Tricky cases
Must a team play a goalkeeper?
No. One of the ten may be a goalkeeper, but a team may choose to play without one.
Do women's field players wear helmets?
No. Field players may not wear headgear or face masks. They may wear eye guards, and the goalkeeper wears a helmet.
Is women's field lacrosse twelve a side?
Not under this book. It allows up to ten on the field at the same time.
Is the women's field the same size as the men's?
The ranges in the two books are the same: 91.4 m to 100 m by 50 m to 60 m. The markings differ.
Why the rule exists
The women's game grew up with limited contact, so the rules control space rather than collisions. The marked arcs in front of goal decide where defenders may stand and where free positions are taken, which is how the game keeps shooting safe without helmets for field players.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women's field | Up to ten a side, goalkeeper optional | WL Women Rule 5.A.3 |
| Men's field | Ten a side with a goalkeeper always | WL Men Rule 19.1 |
| Women's field players | No headgear or face masks | WL Women Rule 6.A.2 |
| Sixes | Six a side on a 70 by 36 m field | WL Sixes Rule 1.1.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rules 1, 2, 5 and 6. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).