Lacrosse Stick Rules

Lacrosse stick rules are necessary in the sport as they control what types of sticks players are allowed to use, as well as how they are allowed to use them legally within the game. Players and coaches should both know these lacrosse stick rules before they play lacrosse games, so that they are not penalized by officials for using illegal equipment or using their legal equipment in the wrong way.

1. Stick width. The widest part of a lacrosse stick must be at least six and a half inches from the front and at least six inches from the back. This is an important lacrosse stick rule, as sticks that are too wide can give players an unfair advantage in a game. If an official catches this, the stick will be taken from the player and sometimes a penalty will be given to the offending team.
2. Stop Distance. This lacrosse stick rule effects the way the lacrosse stick is shaped and was recently instituted, as sticks that had different stop distances were sometimes causing balls to get stuck in the backs of them. This includes the distance between the stop and the five inch mark on the stick being at least four and a half inches, as well as the distance to the three inch mark being no more then three and a half inches on both the front and back of the stick.
3. High-sticking. This is a slightly confusing lacrosse stick rule, as high sticking is illegal but sticks are so often raised to throw shots, catch passes or block shots that it is often based on a judgment call by an official. So incidental contact by a stick to a helmet or on a follow through from a shot is not illegal but a stick being swung at someone's head or used to knock a player down will probably garner a penalty. Lacrosse players should learn to keep their sticks down, only raising them when shooting, trying to avoid someone from stealing the ball from them or when catching a pass. Otherwise they may be penalized.