Lacrosse (NCAA Men) vs Lacrosse (NCAA Women) — Same Game, Different Rules

Rectangular field, 110 yards × 60 yards; Midfield line dividing the field into two halves; Two restraining lines, each 20 yards from the midfield line (one in each half of the field)

Rectangular field, 110 yards × 60 yards (a 70-yard width is also permissible where space allows under the 2026/27 rules); Center line dividing the field into two halves; Two restraining lines, each 30 yards from the goal lines (sometimes referred to as the "30-yard arc" framework)

Cleats are appropriate to the surface; metal spikes are prohibited on most NCAA fields. Uniform numerals must be legible and distinct from teammates'; the goalkeeper wears a contrasting color permitting clear identification by officials.

Cleats are appropriate to the surface. Uniform numerals must be legible and distinct from teammates'; the goalkeeper wears a contrasting color permitting clear identification by officials.

Four 15-minute quarters; 2-minute breaks between Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4; 10-minute halftime; Sudden-victory overtime in 4-minute periods following regulation tie (regular season and tournament)

Four 15-minute quarters (NCAA women's lacrosse adopted the quartered format in recent rule cycles, replacing the prior 30-minute half format); 2-minute breaks between Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4; 10-minute halftime; The team in possession at the end of Q1 keeps the ball to start Q2; same for Q3 → Q4 (this is...

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. , goal in time, crease violation, attacking player position).

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. The official confirms goals on the field; specific goal/no-goal reviewable situations may be reviewed via NCAA video review.

All goals are worth 1 point; NCAA men's lacrosse does not use a two-point goal line (this distinguishes the NCAA rules from box lacrosse and from certain professional outdoor variants)

Goals from inside the 8-meter arc: 1 point; Two-point arc: under NCAA women's rules, certain editions and trials have implemented a two-point line at a specified distance — verify the 2026/27 edition for current two-point arc presence and distance

Targeting an opponent's head or neck — including blindside hits, hits with the crown of the helmet, and hits to a player in a defenseless position — is a non-releasable personal foul of 2 or 3 minutes plus potential ejection. The 2025/26 video-rev...

Stick contact to the head is a major foul (typically yellow card territory), with potential red-card ejection for severe or repeated violations. The 2026 video-review framework permits review of player identification for cards and confirmation/rev...

The team scoring more goals at the end of regulation wins; If regulation ends in a tie, sudden-victory overtime is played in 4-minute periods until a goal is scored; Tournament-format ties follow the championship manual

The team scoring more goals at the end of regulation wins; If regulation ends in a tie, sudden-victory overtime is played in 3-minute periods until a goal is scored

Players may run with the ball in their stick, pass between teammates, and shoot at the goal; Players may use their stick to check an opponent's stick or gloved hand (legal pole check) to dislodge the ball — within Rule 7 (Personal Fouls) limits; The ball may be played with the stick at any height...

Players may run with the ball in their stick, pass, and shoot; Stick-to-stick checks are permitted in a tightly-constrained framework: checks must be directed downward and away from the head of the ball-carrier, with no follow-through across the body, and only in the direction of the stick — not ...

Three-official crew is standard (referee, umpire, field judge) for NCAA-sanctioned regular-season games; some events use four officials; Table crew: scorer, timekeeper, shot-clock operator, penalty timekeeper, and chief bench official; Video review is operative for clear-and-obvious-error reviews...

Standard NCAA crew: three officials for regular-season games; some events use additional officials; Table crew: scorer, timekeeper, shot-clock operator, penalty timekeeper, and chief bench official; Video review is operative for clear-and-obvious-error reviews per the 2026 NCAA Women's Lacrosse V...

Each team fields 10 players at any time: 1 goalkeeper, 3 defensemen, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackmen. The team must have at least 3 players in the offensive half and 4 in the defensive half (including the goalkeeper) at all times except during specified transitions and after a faceoff.

Each team fields 12 players: 1 goalkeeper, 5 defenders (including 3 close defense and 2 midfielders defensively oriented), 1 center, and 5 attackers (including 3 attackers and 2 midfielders offensively oriented). Position assignments are conventio...

NCAA men's lacrosse uses three stick length classifications, defined as total length including the head: Solid rubber, white, yellow, orange, or lime green (officials' selection); Circumference: 7¾ to 8 inches; Weight: 5 to 5¼ ounces

Cleats are appropriate to the surface. Uniform numerals must be legible and distinct from teammates'; the goalkeeper wears a contrasting color permitting clear identification by officials.

The center of the midfield line is the faceoff spot ("X"), where every faceoff is taken — at the start of each quarter, after each goal, and after specified violations.

Center circle of approximately 9-meter diameter (varies by published spec) at the center of the field; the draw is taken at the center hash by two opposing midfielders. Up to four other players from each team may stand on the center line outside the draw circle.

Each team fields 10 players at any time: 1 goalkeeper, 3 defensemen, 3 midfielders, and 3 attackmen. The team must have at least 3 players in the offensive half and 4 in the defensive half (including the goalkeeper) at all times except during specified transitions and after a faceoff.

Each team fields 12 players: 1 goalkeeper, 5 defenders (including 3 close defense and 2 midfielders defensively oriented), 1 center, and 5 attackers (including 3 attackers and 2 midfielders offensively oriented). Position assignments are conventio...

The faceoff is taken at the center "X" at the start of each quarter and after each goal. The two faceoff midfielders (FOGOs in modern practice) line up on their offensive side of the midfield line; their sticks rest on the ground parallel to the l...

Four 15-minute quarters (NCAA women's lacrosse adopted the quartered format in recent rule cycles, replacing the prior 30-minute half format); 2-minute breaks between Q1/Q2 and Q3/Q4; 10-minute halftime; The team in possession at the end of Q1 keeps the ball to start Q2; same for Q3 → Q4 (this is...

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. , goal in time, crease violation, attacking player position).

A goal is scored when the entire ball passes the goal line into the goal, propelled by an attacking player's stick. The official confirms goals on the field; specific goal/no-goal reviewable situations may be reviewed via NCAA video review.

Technical fouls are infringements that do not warrant time in the penalty box.

NCAA women's lacrosse uses a card-based discipline framework distinct from the men's penalty-box model.

NCAA men's lacrosse mandates NOCSAE-approved helmets and mouthpieces, properly fitted shoulder pads, arm pads, gloves, and a protective cup; goalkeepers additionally wear a NOCSAE-approved throat protector and chest protector. Helmets must remain ...

NCAA women's lacrosse mandates ASTM F3137-compliant women's lacrosse headgear for field players (mandated by the NCAA since 2017) and ASTM F803-compliant eyewear. Mouthpieces are mandatory.

The offensive team must release a shot on goal within 80 seconds of gaining possession; The shot clock resets to 80 seconds on each new possession; If the goalkeeper makes a save and possession changes, the offensive team gets a fresh 80 seconds

The offensive team has a 90-second shot clock from gaining possession (note: historically 90 seconds in NCAA women's; verify current edition for any 2026 reduction); If the goalie makes a save, if there is a rebound, or the ball hits the post with less than 59 seconds on the clock, and the offens...

Damaged sticks (cracked, gouged, missing parts) must be removed from play; Stick checks may not target the head/neck of an opponent; Cross-checking with the shaft (two-hand cross-check) is illegal at all levels

Damaged sticks (cracked, gouged, missing parts) must be removed from play; Stick checks must be directed at the opponent's stick, not the head or body, and away from the head of the ball-carrier; Body checks are not permitted in NCAA women's lacrosse

NCAA men's lacrosse uses three stick length classifications, defined as total length including the head: Short stick / attack stick: 40 to 42 inches (offensive stick used by attackmen and midfielders); Long pole / defensive stick: 52 to 72 inches (used by defensemen and the long-stick midfielder)...

Total length (field players): 35½ to 43¼ inches; Goalkeeper stick: 35½ to 52 inches with a larger head profile; Stringing: traditional pocket; the top of the ball must be visible above the side wall of the head when the ball is settled in the pocket (the NCAA stick card defines the legal pocket g...

Unlimited on-the-fly substitutions through the special substitution area at the midfield line during live play; Dead-ball substitutions are permitted any time the ball is not in play; A substituted player must clear the field of play before the substitute enters; failure to do so is a too-many-me...

On-the-fly substitutions through the special substitution area at the midfield are permitted during dead-ball situations and (with restrictions) during live play under the 2026 framework; A substituted player must clear the field of play before the substitute enters; Goalkeeper substitution requi...

Solid rubber, white, yellow, orange, or lime green (officials' selection); Circumference: 7¾ to 8 inches; Weight: 5 to 5¼ ounces

Solid rubber, yellow (official color for NCAA women's lacrosse); Circumference: 7¾ to 8 inches; Weight: 5 to 5¼ ounces