What can and can't the goalkeeper do in lacrosse sixes?
I · Intermediate · Keeping the ball in play · 4 of 7Inside the 3-metre crease the goalkeeper may stop the ball with stick or body and cannot be touched by an opponent. Attackers may not step into the crease. In return, the goalkeeper has only five seconds to hold the ball there, may not carry it back in after leaving and may never cross the centre line.
How it works
- The crease: a circle of 3 m radius, with the line part of it.
- Stopping the ball: "in any manner with their stick or body".
- The hand: the goalkeeper may bat a ball on the ground in the crease with a hand, but not catch, hold or pick it up.
- No contact: no opponent may initiate contact with the goalkeeper or their stick in the crease.
- Attackers out: an attacker may not be in the crease or touch the goal while the ball is live in that half.
- Reaching in: an attacker may reach a stick in for a loose ball without touching the goalkeeper.
- Five seconds: nobody may hold the ball in their own crease for longer.
- No re-entry: a player with the ball outside the crease may not carry it in.
- No passing back: once the ball has left the crease the team may not return it there until an opponent has had it.
- Offside: the goalkeeper's body may not touch or cross the centre line.
- Always one: a team must have a goalkeeper on the field at all times.
- Penalties: time penalties against the goalkeeper are served by the In-Home.
The glossary has the goalkeeper, the goal crease, the goalkeeper privileges, the crease restrictions, the five-second crease count and the in-home.
Tricky cases
A goalkeeper makes a save and stands in the crease looking for a pass for six seconds. What is the call?
A violation of the five-second count. The ball goes to the other team.
A goalkeeper runs out with the ball, is pressed and steps back into the crease. Legal?
No. A player outside the crease with the ball may not enter it.
Can a goalkeeper run upfield and shoot?
Not past halfway. A goalkeeper who touches or crosses the centre line is offside, and a goal scored while they are in the offensive zone does not count.
A loose ball lies in the crease. Can an attacker scoop it out?
Yes, by reaching in with the stick, so long as they stay out of the crease and do not touch the goalkeeper.
Why the rule exists
The crease gives the goalkeeper a safe place to face hard shots from close range. The limits stop it from becoming a hiding place for the ball: five seconds, no way back in and a goalkeeper tied to their own half so that every team attacks five against five with a keeper at each end.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Men's game | Defenders may enter the crease to stop a rolling ball, and use it freely when their team has the ball | WL Sixes Rule 6.16.5M |
| Women's game | Only a defender marking the ball carrier within a stick's length may stay in the crease | WL Sixes Rule 6.16.5W; 7.2.14W |
| Goalkeeper's stick outside the crease, without the ball | May be checked like any other | WL Sixes Rule 6.15.1 |
| Ball stuck in the net or the crease surface | Awarded to a defender | WL Sixes Rule 6.11.4 |
From the rule book
World Lacrosse, 2026-2028 Sixes Lacrosse Official Playing Rules (version 2.0, May 2026), Rules 1.3, 6.11, 6.14 to 6.16, 7.2.10 and 9.4.1. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Lacrosse Sixes Rule Book 2026-2028 (PDF).