College vs. High School

[ishhey]

I have a question about Women's lacrosse at the college and high school levels. Yesterday, I went to watch the Johns Hopkins-Maryland Women's lacrosse game. I noticed that defenders covering a attacker who moved to X who stay on the front side of the goal (this makes sense) however I thought I read a rule that said that a defender cannot stay inside the 8 meter arc in front of the goal for 3 seconds unless within a stick length of an attacker.

I am curious to know if someone if covering an attacker and they go to X and the defender moves in front of the crease in a high school game if that rule holds because in college it seems they are not considered to be violating that rule, if they have one like that.

Any insight would be extremely helpful. Thanks. :)

[sumSum]

The rule is that a defender, if inside the eight meter, must be within a stick length of an offensive player. The eight meter actually ends at the crease and the front of the crease is considered the edge of the eight meter. Therefore, when an offensive player goes behind the goal the defender is able to stay on the crease and it gets treated as if the defender is within a stick length of the offender.

I'm curious as to where you play because that rule is the same for high school and college level play and to my knowledge always has been. If any at all, it is very rare that there are differences between college and high school rules for women's lacrosse.

[ishhey]

Well I have never really followed Women's Lacrosse. I use to play Men's. I am kinda learning a little bit about Women's because my friend plays and I kinda wanted to have a better understanding of the ruleset. When I noticed this seeming contradiction I just wanted to be clear on what I read and what I saw. Thanks again.

[lokiinspired]

The eight meter actually ends at the crease and the front of the crease is considered the edge of the eight meter. Therefore, when an offensive player goes behind the goal the defender is able to stay on the crease and it gets treated as if the defender is within a stick length of the offender.
A question about this came up in practice the other day, so I just want to be clear. So if I take the ball behind, my defender can stand within the eight without a 3 second being called, as long as it's apparent that they are guarding me, right? That's what I thought, but one of my team members (or possibly my coach - uh oh) said otherwise. Thanks! :D

[Laxordie24]

I asked the same question at a camp one time and the coach responded with this, "As long as it's obvious that you are guarding her, by making eye contact and mirroring her stick, then it remains legal" She said as soon as you start looking all around and stop paying attention by putting your stick down etc. then 3 seconds begins.

[CTLaxer]

The player at X does not need to have the ball in order for their defender to be allowed to stand infront of the goal in the 8 defending here. Just wanted to clear that up as it appeared to be lost.

[ptdlax]

You may still be called for a free-space violation, so you must look around to see what is happening behind and around you, as you should at all times that you are on the field, whether on offense or defense.

[lokiinspired]

Thanks CT! I didn't know that. :thumbsup:

[CTLaxer]

You may still be called for a free-space violation, so you must look around to see what is happening behind and around you, as you should at all times that you are on the field, whether on offense or defense.

An attacking player that intentionally draws their defender into shooting space will not (*should not) have shooting space called. Keep that in mind.

(edited for clarity and correction)

[ilaxitup007]

A question about this came up in practice the other day, so I just want to be clear. So if I take the ball behind, my defender can stand within the eight without a 3 second being called, as long as it's apparent that they are guarding me, right? That's what I thought, but one of my team members (or possibly my coach - uh oh) said otherwise. Thanks! :D

yes thats correct, the defender would not be called for a 3 second violation if she is in the 8 meter but marking the ball behind. however, the defender must be careful bc if the ball is fed to a cutter, she will most likely be in shooting space if she doesnt react quick enough.

[RYU]

An attacking player that intentionally draws their defender into shooting space when being guarded at X from infront of the crease will draw a foul. Keep that in mind.Umm... care to elaborate on that? I'm unaware of that rule.

[CTLaxer]

Umm... care to elaborate on that? I'm unaware of that rule.

Well, I seem to remember reading an AR that gave a foul to the attacker in that situation but now I cannot find it. I'll edit my statement regarding the foul. Thanks for pointing out the error.

[wlaxgoaliedad]

CTLaxer, because the player in front of the crease is considered to be guarding X, if they continue to guard X by moving in sync with them, it would be the same as guarding a cutter, correct? Therefore no shooting space violation because it is considered closely guarded. Am I on the right track with that thought?

[spenny]

crap. i guess if i start now, maybe i'll understand WLax by the time my daughter is in HS. any good places to start looking for summaries of the rules?

[CTLaxer]

No places online really do a decent job. Just grab yourself a rule book and download the umpire's manual. The rules are easier to understand and there are less of them you need to know compared to the men's game if you ask me. Just be ready to scratch you head and wonder why some of the rules exist...don't waste any time trying to figure it out though cause it's impossible.

[RYU]

CTLaxer, because the player in front of the crease is considered to be guarding X, if they continue to guard X by moving in sync with them, it would be the same as guarding a cutter, correct? Therefore no shooting space violation because it is considered closely guarded. Am I on the right track with that thought?No. (18-A-12) "A defensive player, who is marking an unmarked opponent who is standing directly behind the goal circle is exempt from the 3-second rule, but is responsible to simultaneously abide by Rule 18-A-11 [obstruction of free space, aka shooting space]."

Defenders are exempt from obstruction/shooting space if & only if they are within marking distance (roughly 5'-6') of an opponent. That's it; no other exceptions apply.

crap. i guess if i start now, maybe i'll understand WLax by the time my daughter is in HS. any good places to start looking for summaries of the rules?This is probably the closest thing you'll find online, and even it is outdated.
http://www.uslacrosse.org/the_sport/womens_rules.phtml

I wouldn't even bother for the time being. By the time your daughter is in HS, there will be about 57 major rule changes, and, for better or for worse, the girls will be wearing helmets. The rules are struggling to keep up w/ the players. There have been dozens upon dozens of rule changes in the past ten years alone.