Lacrosse face-off rules

The face-off is a crucial element that initiates play at the beginning of each quarter, after goals are scored, and following certain stoppages. The face-off is a specialized one-on-one contest between two players, typically the team's designated face-off specialists. The objective is to gain possession of the ball for their respective teams, setting the stage for offensive and defensive strategies. To see more options, check out our full selection of lacrosse gear

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Face-Offs work by having two players battle for the ball at midfield. The ball is placed in between two players on the ground and the goal is for one of them to clamp the ball with their stick and pull the ball towards a teammate. There are many rules that dictate how face-offs should be performed. These consist of how the player should be positioned, where their stick is to be placed, how much tape is on their stick, and where their hands go on their stick.

In this section are the key rules to face-offs from player positioning to hand placement. Understanding the rules is vital to a player's success at face-offs. Some of the basics are waiting for the whistle to move, going early is one of the most common violations, and having the required amount of tape on the player’s stick.

Each player must be standing up, with no parts of their body touching the ground, all of their body needs to be to the left of the ball and behind the midfield line. When the referee says “down” both players will lean over to put their sticks on the ground by the ball.

Sticks are to be placed parallel to the midfield line with the middle of the head lined up with the ball. Ideally, the players would put their sticks as close to the lines as they could without touching the line.

Hand placement is very important to face-offs. A player's left hand is normally in the middle of the stick or all the way at the bottom of it. Their right hand will be palm up and be close to the head but not touching it, touching the head during a face-off is illegal. 

The procedure for face-offs is quite simple. Two players will meet in the middle of the field. The referee will say “down” and both players will lean down towards the ball. The referee will then say “set” This means the players are no longer allowed to move, any twitch will be a penalty. Finally, the referee will blow their whistle allowing the two players to battle for the face-off.

Face-offs are won when a player gains possession of the ball. Possession is determined by having the ball in the head of a stick and taking one step. Until the referee says “possession” the attack and defense are not allowed to leave the box on their respective halves of the field.

Understanding face-off violations is important for every player on the field. Attack and defense must stay in the box during face-offs and the midfielder must stay behind the wing lines until the face-off starts. Below is a list of common face-off violations to avoid.

  • Early Movement: If a player moves before the official blows the whistle to start the face-off, it constitutes early movement and results in a penalty.
  • Withholding the Ball: Deliberately withholding the ball from play during a face-off, such as trapping it with the back of the stick for an extended period of time, is a penalty.
  • Illegal Procedure: This penalty encompasses a range of infractions, including incorrect hand placement on the stick, false starts, or any other violation of face-off rules not covered by more specific penalties.
  • Withholding the Stick: Preventing the opponent from playing the ball by holding, clamping, or otherwise impeding the opponent's stick illegally is a penalty.
  • Offsides: Crossing the midfield line or restraining line before possession is determined is considered an offsides violation and results in a penalty.
  • Kicking the crosse: Using the foot to manipulate the opponent's stick or the ball during a face-off, is considered an illegal action in lacrosse.

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What is the proper lacrosse Face-Off stance?

The proper face-off stance is the standing neutral grip (SNG). This means the player will be standing up without a knee on the ground and their right hand will be palm facing up. 

Is there a Face-Off after every goal in lacrosse?

Yes, there is a faceoff after every goal in lacrosse.

What gets a player kicked out of a Face-Off?

Nothing will get a player removed from the position in a game however, if they get three faceoff violations in a half they will have to serve a penalty in the box.

What are the rules for Face-Off in women's lacrosse?

A face-off in women’s lacrosse is called a draw and it is very similar, but the ball is at waist level between the players and the goal is to pull the ball to a teammate.

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