The Field and Equipment

• A typical men's lacrosse field is 110 yards long and 60 yards wide. Women's lacrosse fields are larger (120 yards by 70 yards). Each field is separated in the middle with a center line and two mid-lines (known as restraining lines) that are 20 yards from the center line towards each team's respective goal. Goals are placed in a circular crease that has a diameter of six yards. Unlike soccer, lacrosse goals are not at the very ends of the field. Rather, the center of the crease is 15 yards from each endline and 20 yards from the restraining line. The goal itself is six feet by six feet wide. Additional field markings, known as "wing lines" intersect the center line at a perpendicular angle 10 yards from the field's sidelines.
  
  The stick, known as the crosse, must be made of wood or synthetic materials such as plastic. Stick lengths vary depending on position. For men, attackmen and midfielders have 40- to 42-inch long stick and defensemen have between 52- and 72-inch long sticks. Each crosse's head is between 6.5 and 10 inches wide except for goaldtenders' sticks, which are wider (between 10 and 12 inches). Each crosse's net (the pocket) must be taut enough so that the top of a regulation ball placed inside it does not droop below the crosse's frame.
  
  Women's sticks must be between 35.5 and 43.25 inches long and seven to nine inches wide. Unlike men's sticks, women may not use mesh for netting. Instead, a traditional tightly stringed pocket is required. An exception to this rule is made for goaltenders, who may use mesh pockets. Goalie sticks are also allowed to be up 12 inches wide and 48 inches long.
  
  Regulation lacrosse balls are always white, yellow or orange and weigh between 5 and 5.25 ounces with a circumference between 7.75 and 8 inches. Lacrosse balls are made from solid rubber.
  
  

Time and Play

• Lacrosse matches are played with 10 players (men) or 12 players (women). Game length depends on the level of lacrosse. High school games are 48 minutes long with four 12-minute quarters. College games are 60 minutes long with four 15-minute quarters. Two-minute breaks are taken between the first and second quarters and the third and fourth quarters. The second and third quarters are separated by a 10-minute halftime rest.
  
  After each quarter, teams switch sides. Quarters begin with a face-off. An official drops the ball in the middle of the field as two opposing players go after it. Each team also has two players in the wing areas (by the wing line) who may go after the ball immediately. Faceoffs also take place after a goal is scored.
  
  

Penalties

• In men's lacrosse body checks are legal and in women's lacrosse they are illegal. Nonetheless, body checks are heavily regulated in men's lacrosse and can only take place from the front or side. Players must remain within the boundaries of the field during play. If they step out of bounds, the other team receives the ball. Lacrosse players other than the goalie may not touch the ball with their hands.
  
  Both men's and women's lacrosse has a system of illegal maneuvers and penalties. Penalties include slashing (hitting a player's body with your stick), tripping, cross-checking (leading a body check with your stick), unnecessary roughness, holding and pushing. Like hockey, a player must sit out if he is charged with a foul. Women's lacrosse has a different penalty system in which penalties are categorized by severity and result in changes to gameplay and the opposing team's access to your goalie.