Box Lacrosse 101

What is Box Lacrosse?

Box lacrosse is one of the fastest and most exciting sports in North America. Played inside an ice hockey rink with turf covering the ice, the game combines the speed of hockey, the physicality of football, and the skill of lacrosse.

Each team has five runners and one goaltender on the floor, creating constant action, quick transitions, and plenty of scoring opportunities. Box Lacrosse games typically average a combined 25 goals, making every game an exciting experience for players and fans alike

Game Format

• Four 15-minute quarters
• 15-minute halftime
• Two-minute breaks between quarters
• Sudden-victory overtime if the score is tied after regulation
• Teams dress 19 players (17 runners and 2 goaltenders), allowing for frequent substitutions similar to hockey.

The Playing Surface

Box lacrosse is played on a standard hockey rink with boards and glass still in place. The enclosed playing area keeps the ball in play, resulting in continuous action with very few stoppages.

The goals measure 4 feet high by 4 feet 9 inches wide, and each goal is surrounded by a crease that only the goalie may occupy. Offensive players cannot stand in the crease while scoring or the goal will be disallowed.

Basic Rules

Face-Offs

Play begins with a face-off at center floor to start each quarter and after every goal.

Shot Clock

Teams have 30 seconds to take a shot on goal after gaining possession. If they fail to do so, possession changes. A saved shot or rebound recovered by the offense resets the shot clock.

8-Second Rule

After gaining possession in their defensive end, teams must advance the ball across midfield within 8 seconds.

Substitutions

Players substitute “on the fly” through the designated substitution area, allowing fresh offensive and defensive units to rotate throughout the game.

Penalties

Like hockey, penalties create power-play opportunities.

Minor Penalty (2 Minutes)

Common infractions include:

• Slashing
• Holding
• Tripping
• Illegal cross-checking
• Delay of game

If the opposing team scores during a minor penalty, the penalized player is released early.

Major Penalty (5 Minutes)

Major penalties include:

• Fighting
• Boarding
• High sticking
• Spearing
• Face masking

Unlike a minor penalty, a player serving a major remains in the box for the full five minutes, although the team returns to full strength after two goals are scored against them.

Common Terms

Cradle – Moving the stick to keep the ball secure.

Crease – Protected area around the goal.

Power Play – One team has more players because the opponent has a player in the penalty box.

Shorthanded – Playing with fewer players due to a penalty.

Breakaway – One offensive player has a clear scoring chance against only the goalie.

Loose Ball – A ball not controlled by either team.

Screen Shot – A shot taken while another player blocks the goalie’s view.

Box vs. Field Lacrosse

Many athletes play both versions of the sport, but box lacrosse emphasizes stick skills, quick decision-making, physical play, and shooting accuracy because of the confined playing area.

Why Fans Love Box Lacrosse

• Fast-paced, end-to-end action
• Frequent scoring
• Physical but highly skilled gameplay
• Music and entertainment throughout the game
• Exciting power plays and dramatic overtime finishes
• Continuous substitutions that keep the pace high from start to finish

Fun Facts

• Professional players can shoot the ball over 100 mph.
• A hat trick is three goals in a game.
• A sock trick is six goals in a game—a tradition that originated with the Colorado Mammoth when fans celebrated by throwing socks onto the floor.