Why do lacrosse officials sometimes let play continue after a foul?
A · Advanced · Fouls and penalties · 3 of 3Because stopping play would punish the team that was fouled. For a minor foul on a loose ball the official calls "Play-on" and waits to see whether the fouled team wins the ball. When a defender fouls a team that has the ball, the official raises an arm and holds the whistle until the attack ends. A goal in that time counts.
How it works
- Play-on: for a minor foul during a loose ball, when stopping would disadvantage the offended team.
- The signal: the official calls "Play-on" and gestures, and withholds the whistle.
- If the offended team gets the ball: the play-on is over and nothing more happens.
- If it does not: the whistle goes and the offended team is given the ball.
- Slow whistle: for a foul by a defender while the attacking team has the ball.
- The signal: "raise an arm straight into the air and hold the whistle".
- It ends when: a goal is scored, the ball goes out, possession changes, the attack fouls or the shot clock or quarter expires.
- Goal after a minor foul: the goal counts and the 30 seconds are not served.
- Goal after a major or expulsion foul: the goal counts and the penalty is still served.
- A foul by the team with the ball: stops play at once.
- Shot clock: the usual reset rules still apply during a slow whistle.
The glossary has play-on, the slow whistle, the minor foul, the loose ball, possession and coincidental fouls.
Tricky cases
A defender holds an attacker, the official's arm goes up and the attacker scores. What happens to the foul?
For a minor foul, nothing: the goal counts and no time is served.
The same, but the foul was a slash. What then?
The goal counts and the defender still serves one minute. The scoring team restarts with the ball on the penalty dot.
During a slow whistle, the attacking team commits a foul of its own. What happens?
The whistle goes at once. A foul by the team in possession during a slow whistle or play-on stops play immediately.
On a play-on, the fouled team then fouls while chasing the ball. Who gets it?
The team that was fouled first. If the offended team fouls after the initial play-on, the whistle goes and the team originally offended is awarded the ball.
Why the rule exists
A foul should never help the team that committed it. If every foul stopped play, a defender about to be beaten could foul to break up the attack and accept a short penalty. The delayed whistle lets the attack have its chance first and the penalty afterwards.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minor foul, ball loose | Play-on | WL Sixes Rule 9.1.1 |
| Foul by the defence, attack in possession | Slow whistle | WL Sixes Rule 9.2.1 |
| Fouls by both teams, all minor | Offset, no time served | WL Sixes Rule 9.3.2 |
| Fouls by both teams, one or more major | All penalised players serve their time | WL Sixes Rule 9.3.2 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2026-2028 Sixes Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 2.0, May 2026), Rules 9.1 to 9.3. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Sixes Rule Book 2026-2028 (PDF).