🏛️Official — World Lacrosse
Loading OpenSourceSports…
Shake hands after every match
Post-game handshake lines are a deeply embedded expectation across all lacrosse formats at every level. Skipping or making the handshake perfunctory is considered disrespectful regardless of the result. The tradition carries directly into Sixes from both field and box lacrosse cultures.
Stop active play when a player is seriously injured
When an opposing player is clearly injured and down, the convention is to hold the ball and not press for scoring advantage until the player is attended to and play is officially stopped. Ignoring an injured opponent to score is widely considered poor sportsmanship in all lacrosse formats.
Expulsion fouls are the most serious category and result in ejection from the game for the offending Player (Rule 8.4.1). Under Rule 8.4.2, the penalty is suspension of the offending Player for the remainder of the game, with the team's In-Home serving a two-minute penalty on the Player's behalf.
— Rule 8.4.1, Rule 8.4.2, Rule 8.4.3
Why people argue about this
People think that expulsion fouls mean being permanently banned from the game, which is why they often argue; however, under World Lacrosse rules, it actually results in immediate ejection but suspends the team's penalty for two minutes instead of the player serving.
Officials designate the severity of a time-serving foul by card color: green for a minor foul (30 seconds), yellow for a major foul (one minute), and red for an expulsion foul (Rule 9.5.1).
— Rule 9.5.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that yellow cards in Lacrosse Sixes mean a player is ejected from the game entirely, which isn't accurate. Actually, they receive just one minute less playing time as punishment for a major foul, unlike red card players who are sent off completely. The color confusion can lead to misunderstandings about the severity of the penalty.
4 quarters × 8 minutes of regulation playing time (Rule 5.1.1).; A two-minute interval between the first and second quarters and between the third and fourth quarters (Rule 5.1.2); a five-minute half-time intermission between the second and third quarters (Rule 5.1.3).; Teams change direction of ...
— Rule 5.1.1, Rule 5.1.2, Rule 5.1.3
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the eight-minute quarters are strictly fixed without breaks, leading to misunderstandings about when players get water or rest during games. The actual rule allows for two-minute timeouts within each quarter, which can lead to confusion if not clearly understood.
Major fouls are more serious in nature (Rule 8.1.1) and carry a one-minute suspension from the game, with the ball awarded to the non-offending team (Rule 8.1.2). Three or more major fouls by the same Player result in fouling out for the remainder of the game (Rule 8.2.1).
— Rule 8.1.1, Rule 8.1.2, Rule 8.2.1, Rule 8.3.1, Rule 8.3.2, Rule 8.3.3, Rule 8.3.4, Rule 8.3.5, Rule 8.3.6, Rule 8.3.7, Rule 8.3.8
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a major foul in Lacrosse Sixes only results in a one-minute suspension, forgetting about the ball being awarded to the non-offending team immediately after the foul. This oversight leads to misunderstandings and disputes during games when players or coaches aren't aware of both parts of Rule 8.1.2.
Minor fouls cover violations not specifically listed as major or expulsion fouls (Rule 7.1.1) and include interference (Rule 7.2.1), holding (Rule 7.2.3), withholding the ball from play (Rule 7.2.4), illegal procedure (Rule 7.2.7), offside (Rule 7...
— Rule 7.1.1, Rule 7.2.1, Rule 7.2.3, Rule 7.2.4, Rule 7.2.7, Rule 7.2.10, Rule 7.2.11, Rule 7.2.12, Rule 7.1.2
Why people argue about this
People often assume that minor fouls in Lacrosse Sixes are only about holding or interference, forgetting that illegal procedure (like carrying the ball) can also fall under minor fouls, leading to confusion with major fouls like slashing. The complexity arises because these seemingly simple infractions can have significant impacts on game flow and score.
Substitution may take place at any time through the Substitution Area, with Players permitted to substitute on the fly (Rule 6.13.1).; Body-checking of an opponent in any form is illegal under Rule 8.3.1 — Sixes is designed around stick skills and loose-ball play rather than body contact, subject...
— Rule 6.13.1, Rule 8.3.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since body-checking is illegal in Sixes, all contact between players must be avoided entirely, which leads them to misunderstand that it's about the type of contact allowed rather than completely eliminating physical interaction. The confusion arises because they misinterpret "no body-checking" as meaning no player-on-player contact at all.
Under Rule 5.1.4, sudden-death golden goal is no longer used. When the score is tied at the end of regulation, play continues with a full three-minute overtime period of stopped time, and the team leading when that period ends is declared the winn...
— Rule 5.1.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a sudden-death golden goal system is still in place for overtime in Lacrosse Sixes, forgetting that it was actually replaced by a full three-minute stoppage time period at the end of regulation games. This leads to confusion about how the game transitions from regular play to extra time when tied.
Upon a team gaining possession, a 30-second shot clock begins; if it expires without a shot on goal, possession is awarded to the defensive team (Rule 5.3.1).; A team gaining possession in its defensive half must advance the ball across the center-line within a 10-second count (Rule 6.9.1).; Each...
— Rule 5.3.1, Rule 6.9.1, Rule 6.10.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that if their team doesn't shoot within 30 seconds of gaining possession in their defensive half, they automatically lose possession. However, the correct understanding is that they must advance the ball across the center-line within those 10 seconds; failing to do so triggers a loss of possession, not simply running out of time on the shot clock.
Personal protective equipment — Men's (Rule 2.4.1M): All Men's-discipline Players are required to wear protective gloves and a protective helmet designed for lacrosse, equipped with a facemask and a chinstrap fastened on both sides. Suitable shoes must be worn.
— Rule 2.1.1, Rule 2.2.1, Rule 2.2.2, Rule 2.4.1, Rule 2.4.2, Rule 2.4.3, Rule 2.4.5, Rule 2.4.6, Rule 2.5, Rule 2.5.1, Rule 2.5.2
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since it's a women's version of lacrosse, protective gear should be more advanced for safety, but they misunderstand that the official rules specifically state these protective pads are less effective in this sixes format compared to traditional men’s equipment. They fail to realize the specific conditions and design differences inherent to this particular game setting.
Field (Rule 1.1.1): The playing field for all World Lacrosse Sixes events is rectangular, 70 m long and 36 m wide, with out-of-bounds lines measured from the inside edge of the line. For events not recognized or approved by World Lacrosse, field d...
— Rule 1.1.1, Rule 1.2.1, Rule 1.2.2, Rule 1.2.3, Rule 1.3.1, Rule 1.1.4, Rule 1.4.3, Rule 7.2.10, Section 7
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the 70m x 36m field size is based on a standard soccer pitch conversion, leading them to argue about how it translates into yards or why they don't see such dimensions in other sports fields. The confusion arises because Lacrosse Sixes specifically uses these exact measurements for optimal gameplay and strategy, not simply converting from another sport's norms.
Players to begin a game (Rule 3.1.3): A full team is composed of six (6) Players on the field — five (5) field Players and one (1) Goalkeeper. Each team must always have a legally equipped Goalkeeper on the field; if injuries or fouls reduce a tea...
— Rule 3.1.1, Rule 3.1.3, Rule 3.1.6, Rule 3.2.1, Rule 3.2.2, Rule 4.1.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that the goalkeeper is one of those 12-player maximums, leading to arguments about whether a team can bring in an extra player just for goalkeeping purposes. Actually, the goalkeeper counts as part of the 5 field players allowed per side, so there's no room for another keeper even if you wanted to add one.
Under Rule 5.1.4, sudden-death golden goal is no longer used. When the score is tied at the end of regulation, play continues with a full three-minute overtime period of stopped time, and the team leading when that period ends is declared the winn...
— Rule 5.1.1, Rule 5.1.2, Rule 5.1.3, Rule 5.1.4, Rule 6.4.1, Rule 6.1.4, Rule 5.3.1, Rule 6.9.1, Rule 6.10.4, Rule 6.13.1, Rule 8.3.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that after a draw at center, if an offense doesn't score within 30 seconds, they automatically lose possession of the ball. Actually, it's only when the shot clock expires with no attempt to shoot or pass (the ball is stationary) that the defense gets possession. This timing detail can lead to misunderstandings about what constitutes a timeout in the context of the shot clock.
Goal (Rule 6.6.1): A goal is scored when the ball, whether loose or in a Player's possession, completely passes through the plane of the goal. A valid shot on goal requires the Player's stick head to be above the Goal Line Extended when the ball i...
— Rule 6.6.1, Rule 6.6.2, Rule 6.6.3, Rule 5.1.4, Rule 5.5.1, Section 5
Why people argue about this
People often assume that a goal scored from outside the crease is worth 2 points instead of just 1 point, leading to heated arguments about scoring accuracy and game strategy. The confusion arises because the official rule specifies a single point for such a goal, but some players or spectators mistakenly believe it should be double due to its location in relation to the goal line.
Minor fouls cover violations not specifically listed as major or expulsion fouls (Rule 7.1.1) and include interference (Rule 7.2.1), holding (Rule 7.2.3), withholding the ball from play (Rule 7.2.4), illegal procedure (Rule 7.2.7), offside (Rule 7...
— Rule 7.1.1, Rule 7.2.1, Rule 7.2.3, Rule 7.2.4, Rule 7.2.7, Rule 7.2.10, Rule 7.2.11, Rule 7.2.12, Rule 7.1.2, Rule 8.1.1, Rule 8.1.2, Rule 8.2.1, Rule 8.3.1, Rule 8.3.2, Rule 8.3.3, Rule 8.3.4, Rule 8.3.5, Rule 8.3.6, Rule 8.3.7, Rule 8.3.8
Why people argue about this
People often think that a yellow card in Lacrosse Sixes means just 2 minutes, but actually it's a 5-minute penalty for misconduct, leading to confusion when teammates are mistakenly expected to serve only 2 minutes instead of the full 5 as per Yawcard rules.
Lacrosse Sixes is designed with reduced-contact rules relative to traditional men's field lacrosse: Rule 8.3.1 makes body-checking of an opponent illegal in any form, and stick-based contact is tightly regulated through the slashing (Rule 8.3.2), ...
— Rule 8.3.1, Rule 8.3.2, Rule 8.3.3, Rule 8.3.5, Rule 2.4.1, Rule 2.4.2, Rule 2.4.4, Rule 5.4.1
Why people argue about this
People often assume that since body checks are heavily restricted in Lacrosse Sixes, players won't be able to move as fast or have as much power in their attacks. But actually, the focus is on safety, so players still need to rely more on stick skills and quick decision-making rather than brute force.
Each quarter and overtime period begins with a draw at the center of the field (Rule 6.4.1), with draw positioning and procedure differing by discipline (Rules 6.4.2W/6.4.3W for Women's, 6.4.2M/6.4.3M for Men's).; Initial offensive/defensive zone assignment is determined by a pre-game coin toss c...
— Rule 6.4.1, Rule 6.1.4
Why people argue about this
People often assume that in a draw at center, players from both teams are supposed to compete for possession by passing the ball back and forth like they do during play, but actually, it's just about who can throw the ball first into the circle - whoever wins the toss gets to take the shot. They don't have to pass; they simply need to get the ball in play within five seconds.