What are the goal circle rules in women's lacrosse?
I · Intermediate · Space and the circle · 4 of 7The goal circle is the 3-metre circle round each goal. Attackers may never step in or on its line. Defenders may run through it, but when the other team has the ball only the goalkeeper may stay. Whoever has the ball inside must get it out within five seconds. Inside the circle the goalkeeper may stop the ball with a hand and cannot have the stick checked; outside it the goalkeeper loses those privileges.
How it works
- Attackers: "are not allowed to enter the Goal-Circle or have their feet Grounded in the Goal-Circle or on the Goal-Circle line at any time".
- Playing the ball: an attacker may play a ball in the circle with the stick but must not step in, touch the goalkeeper or interfere with the goalkeeper's stick.
- Five seconds: the goalkeeper or a defender must move the ball out "within 5 seconds", counted aloud by the official.
- No checking: with the ball in the circle the goalkeeper's stick "cannot be checked". A defender's can.
- The goalkeeper's hand: may stop the ball with hand, body or stick, but must then put it in the stick.
- Coming back in: a goalkeeper or defender outside the circle with the ball may not step back in with it.
- Once out: after the ball has left the circle, the defence may not return it there until it has been played.
- Defenders: may run through the circle. When the other team has the ball, only the goalkeeper may stay.
- Saving a shot: a defender who tries to save a shot in the circle commits a major foul.
- Outside: a goalkeeper "completely outside the Goal-Circle" loses all goalkeeping privileges.
- Penalties: an attacking breach gives the goalkeeper the ball in the circle. A defensive or goalkeeper breach gives the attack a free position where the 15 m arc meets the goal line extended.
The glossary has the goal crease, the goalkeeper privileges entry, the crease restrictions entry and the five-second crease count. Its entries are written for sixes and call the circle the crease.
Tricky cases
A defender steps into the goal circle and blocks a shot with her body. What is the call?
A major foul. A defender may not try to save a shot in the circle.
The goalkeeper runs out to pick up a ground ball and steps back in with it. Legal?
No, if the goalkeeper was completely outside. The attack gets a free position where the 15 m arc meets the goal line extended.
The goalkeeper straddles the circle line to scoop the ball and steps back inside. Legal?
Yes. A goalkeeper with a foot on the line or inside the circle is still inside it.
A shooter's foot touches the circle line as the ball goes in. Goal?
No. The shooter may not step on or over the line before the ball crosses the goal line.
Why the rule exists
The goalkeeper is the only player in full protective equipment, so only the goalkeeper is allowed to stand in front of shots in the circle. Letting defenders run through it but not stay keeps defending possible without turning the circle into a wall.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Five-second count | Ball out of the circle in five seconds | WL Women Rule 17.A.4 |
| Defenders | May run through; only the goalkeeper stays when the attack has the ball | WL Women Rule 17.A.15; 17.A.17 |
| Defender saving a shot in the circle | Major foul | WL Women Rule 17.A.16 |
| Men's field | Defenders may receive a pass in the crease | WL Men Rule 48.1 ii |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2025-2026 Women's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, Rule 17. Checked 21 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Women's Field Rules 2025-2026 (PDF).