Men's field lacrosse

All lines referred to in this section (except the centre line and the goal lines) are 5cm wide. The centre line is 10cm wide. The goal lines are the same width as the goal posts.
Where other lines appear on the field of play, the lines referred to in this section are all one colour, and that colour contrasts with the colour of the other lines.

The playing field

The playing field is 110m long and 60m wide.

The boundaries are marked with white lines. The centre line is marked by an extra heavy white line through the centre of the field perpendicular to the side lines.

The boundary lines on the long sides of the field are side lines, the boundary lines at each end are end lines.

Soft, flexible cones or pylons of red or orange plastic or rubber are placed at the four corners of the field, each end of the gate within the special substitution area, the ends of the men’s goal area lines and the end of the centre.

Goals

Each goals consists of two vertical posts joined by a rigid crossbar. The posts are 1.83m apart and the top crossbar is 1.83m from the ground, all insides measurements.

The goal posts/pipes and crossbar are 5.1cm square or 5.1cm in diameter and are silver or painted white or orange. The goal posts are centred between the side lines and place 12m from each end lines.

Around each goal is a circle known as the goal crease. This circle is marked by using the midpoint of the goal line as the centre and drawing a circle around that point with a radius of 2.74m.

The goal crease area is the circular ground territory about each goal within and including the goal crease.

Goal areas

In each half of the field a line is marked from sideline to sideline between the goal line and centre line, 18m from the goal line. These lines are goal area lines. The area between the goal area lines and the end lines at each end of the field are goal areas.

Wing areas

Wing lines are lines parallel to the side lines. These lines are marked on each side of the field, 18m from the centre of the field and extend 12.5m on each side of the centre line.

The areas between the wing area lines and the side lines, and confined within the extremities of the wing area lines, but excluding those lines, are designated the wing areas.

Centre

The centre of the field is marked with an X equidistant from each side line. It can also be marked by a 10cm square in a colour different than the centre line.

Special substitution area

The special substitution area is two lines marked on the same side of the field as the timer’s table. These lines are 9m long and extend away from the field of play at right angles to the sideline from points on the sideline 6.5m from the centre line. These lines are called the special substitution area lines.

lacrosse men' s field

Women's lacrosse

Playing area

The playing area is marked with a solid lined rectangular boundary, 91.4m to 110m long between end lines and 55m to 60m wide between side lines. 

Four cones are used to mark the corners of the field. All field marking lines are 5.1cm wide. It is recommended that all lines are painted white. 

There is 4m between the team bench boundary and the scorer’s table. There is a 2m safety zone beyond the opposite sideline and spectators. There is 2m to 4m of space beyond the end line boundaries and any natural or artificial objects, such as trees, bushes, athletic tracks, fences, spectators, or stands.

Spectators must stay back at least 4m from the side lines and are not allowed directly behind the team benches or score table. Spectators are not allowed behind the end lines unless permanent seating is available.

A goal line is marked at each end of the field. The goal lines are no less than 82m apart. The goal lines are marked parallel to the end lines. 

There is 12m of playing space behind each goal line running the full width of the field. This is measured from the back, outside edge of the goal line to the front, inside edge of the end line.

Two small circles 15cm in diameter are located behind each goal, 4m in from the boundary and 11m from the centre of the goal line.

Around each goal line, a goal is circle marked. It has a radius of 3m measured from the centre back edge of the goal line to the outside edge of the goal circle. 

Restraining lines are marked at each end of the field, 25m from each goal line. These solid lines extend across the width of the field. The 25m is measured from the back edge of the goal line to the front/midfield edge of the restraining line. 

In the centre of the field, a centre circle is marked. Its radius is 9m when measured from the centre of the circle to its outside edge. Through the centre of this circle, a centre line 3m in length is marked parallel to the goal lines.

The scorer and timer table is located at the midfield in a marked 5m x 5m box set 4m outside the boundary on the teams’ bench side of the field.

Each team’s substitution area is 4m x 5m, marked by two cones or markers placed 4m apart and even with the scorer and timer’s table extended. 

The team bench areas are 18.5m long and 5m deep.

Goals

A goal cage consists of two vertical posts or pipes joined at the top by a rigid crossbar. The posts or pipes are 1.83m apart and the top horizontal crossbar is 1.83m from the ground.

All measurements are inside measurements. The goal posts or pipes and crossbar are 5.1cm square or 5.1cm in diameter and are silver or painted white or orange.

The goal net is securely attached to the posts or pipes, the crossbar and to a point on the ground 2.1m behind the centre of the goal line. 

The goal line is drawn between the two goal post or pipes and is continuous with them and the same width as the goal posts or pipes, 5.1cm.

lacrosse---womens

Unified lacrosse

For many years, at the international competition level, men’s and women’s lacrosse has been played with different field dimensions and field markings. With many new countries introducing the sport of lacrosse, the FIL, has established a set of common perimeter and bench markings, in the hope of making as many of the field dimensions similar so they are more easily implemented throughout the world.

Benefits

The benefits in having a common lacrosse field for both men’s and women’s field lacrosse include:

  • Increased chance of having permanent lines included in synthetic surfaces.
  • Reduced time required to mark both a men’s and women’s field.
  • Less confusion regarding what line is used for what game.
  • Alignment with other field sports where field markings are the same.
  • Fields can be more easily shared by both men’ and women’s teams
  • Goals can be permanent on grass fields and not have to move for each game
  • Increasing potential for inclusion of lacrosse in the Olympics.

Implementation schedule

The following implementation schedule has been established for the unified field:

FIL International events

  • 2015 U19 Women’s World Championship – unified dimensions.
  • 2016 U19 Men’s World Championship – traditional dimensions.
  • 2017 Women’s World Cup – unified dimensions.
  • 2018 Men’s World Championship – unified dimensions.
  • 2019 and beyond – unified dimensions.

Summary of changes

Men

  • Size of field increased to 110m x 60m.
  • Goal crease radius increased to 3m.
  • Space behind goal reduced to 12m.
  • Measurements have been adjusted to metric.
  • Additional field length is added to the centre of the field between the two restraining lines and the additional width is added between the wing lines and the side lines.

Women

  • Field size reduced to 110m x 60m.
  • Restraining line reduced to 25m.
  • Space behind goal reduced to 12m.
  • Team bench area reduced to 18.5m.

References

Federation of International Lacrosse 2015-2016 Rules fo Men’s Field Lacrosse.
https://worldlacrosse.sport/

Federation of International Lacrosse. 2015-2018 Women’s Official Rules August 2014.
https://worldlacrosse.sport/

Location of markings for the Women's Game. Common Field Markings for Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse. Implementation Plan. 

Sports association details

Lacrosse WA Inc

Roxanne Leavy
Executive Officer
PO Box 1633, Osborne Park WA 6916
Telephone 0409 296 106
Email executive@lacrossewa.com.au
Website www.lacrossewa.com.au
Facebook LacrosseWA

Disclaimer

The information in this guide is general in nature and cannot be relied upon as professional advice concerning the design of, or marking out for, sporting facilities and playing areas. No assurance is given as to the accuracy of any information contained in this guide and readers should not rely on its accuracy. Readers should obtain their own independent and professional advice in relation to their proposed sporting activity.

Page reviewed 12 July 2019