How do substitutions work in lacrosse sixes?
A · Advanced · Keeping the ball in play · 1 of 3Players change at any time, while play goes on, through a 10-metre substitution area at the side of the field. The player coming off must leave before the replacement steps on. There is no limit on the number of changes. Each team also names an In-Home, a field player who serves penalties given to the goalkeeper, the bench or nobody in particular.
How it works
- Any time: "Substitution may take place at any time through the Substitution Area."
- The area: 10 m long and 5 m deep at the side line, between the two benches.
- Off, then on: the substitute waits in the area until the player they replace has left the field.
- On the fly: play does not stop.
- Goalkeepers: a goalkeeper-for-goalkeeper change must be made in the defensive zone.
- Squad: twelve players at most, with at least one goalkeeper.
- The list: given by the head coach no later than 20 minutes before the game. No changes after that.
- The In-Home: named before the game. Any player but a goalkeeper.
- What the In-Home serves: fouls by the goalkeeper, a coach or the bench, and fouls not given to a named player.
- Expulsions: the In-Home serves the two minutes.
- Captain: one for each team, the only player who may ask an official about the rules.
- Bench: players in uniform, the head coach and two other staff.
The glossary has the substitution area, the roster, the in-home, the captain, the goalkeeper and penalty time served.
Tricky cases
A substitute steps onto the field while the player being replaced is still two strides from the side line. Legal?
No. The substitute must wait in the substitution area until the other player has left the field. It is a breach of the substitution rules, a minor foul.
The goalkeeper is given a one-minute penalty. Does the team play without a goalkeeper?
No. The In-Home serves it, and the goalkeeper stays on the field.
A team's only goalkeeper is injured. Who goes in goal?
Any eligible player on the roster for that game, wearing the goalkeeper's equipment.
Can a coach add a late-arriving player to the list at half-time?
No. The list is fixed 20 minutes before the game and nothing may be added.
Why the rule exists
Sixes is played at a sprint, and five field players cannot keep that up for eight minutes. Free changes on the fly keep fresh legs on the field without stopping the game. The In-Home exists so that a penalty always puts a team a player down, even when the offender cannot sit it out.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Field players | Change anywhere along the substitution area, either side of the centre line | WL Sixes Rule 6.13.1 |
| Goalkeeper for goalkeeper | In the defensive zone | WL Sixes Rule 6.13.1 |
| After a goal, at a period break or in a timeout | Players need not use the substitution area | WL Sixes Rule 7.2.8 |
| A player who fouls out | A substitute may come on when the penalty time is up | WL Sixes Rule 8.2.1 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2026-2028 Sixes Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 2.0, May 2026), Rules 1.5, 1.6, 3.1, 3.2, 6.13 and 7.2.7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Sixes Rule Book 2026-2028 (PDF).