Lacrosse guide
Boys' vs girls' lacrosse: the key differences
Boys' and girls' lacrosse share a goal and a ball but follow different rules, especially on contact, protective gear, sticks and field positioning. This guide compares them in standard rules and notes where youth leagues often change things.
The short answer
Boys' (men's) lacrosse and girls' (women's) lacrosse share a goal, a rubber ball and a stick with a net pocket, but they are separate versions of the sport with their own rules, equipment and feel. Boys' lacrosse is generally a game with more physical contact and a faster, more structured field. Girls' lacrosse generally limits body contact and gives players more room to move. Youth leagues often adjust both versions, so treat everything below as the standard picture and check your own league.
Side-by-side comparison
| Topic | Boys' / men's | Girls' / women's |
|---|---|---|
| Players on the field (standard rules) | 10, including the goalie | 12, including the goalie |
| Body contact | Allowed in controlled ways at older levels; many youth programs limit or remove it | Not allowed; stick contact is tightly limited |
| Head protection | Helmet with a face mask | Usually protective eyewear for field players (goalies wear more) |
| Stick pocket | Deeper, holds the ball more securely | Shallower, so the ball is carried and passed differently |
| Start of play | Faceoff | Draw |
| Position rules | Offsides: a minimum number of players must stay on each side | No offsides; a shooting-space rule limits defenders near the goal |
| Substitution | Often on the fly, through a substitution area | Commonly on the fly, but check your league's method |
These are standard-rule generalities. Your league may change player counts, contact rules, field size and game length for younger ages.
Contact and protective gear
Contact is the difference families notice first. In boys' lacrosse, legal body checks and stick checks to a player's gloves and stick are part of the game at older levels, so players wear a helmet, mouthguard, gloves, shoulder pads and arm pads. Many younger programs remove or limit body checking, and the specifics vary widely.
In girls' lacrosse, players may not body check, and stick checks must follow specific rules about where and how they are made. That is why field players usually wear eyewear and a mouthguard instead of a full helmet. Required gear differs by league, so always read the league's equipment list. For a fuller gear rundown, see the youth lacrosse equipment checklist.
How the games flow
Boys' lacrosse often has a set structure: attackers, midfielders and defenders have defined areas, and offsides rules keep a few players back at each end. Possession changes often through checks, ground balls and fast breaks.
Girls' lacrosse is generally more free-flowing. Players have fewer positional restrictions, and the field is often larger relative to the number of players in standard rules, so there is a lot of cutting, passing and open running. The shooting-space rule is a key part of defense: a defender may not stay in the path between a shooter and the goal for long if that stops a safe shot. Exact wording varies, so ask a coach or official.
Positions and names
Both versions have goalies, attackers, midfielders and defenders, but the names and the exact roles differ. Girls' lacrosse uses terms like first home, center and cover point. Boys' lacrosse uses terms like attackman and long-stick midfielder. Our lacrosse positions explained guide walks through them.
Which should my child play?
In many places the choice follows the team your child is placed on, and boys and girls usually play in separate programs. Some communities offer only one version, and some young players start in mixed or coed introductory sessions. Questions to ask your league:
- Which rule set does this program use, and does it modify the rules for my child's age group?
- Is body contact allowed, limited or not allowed at this level?
- What protective gear is required, and can we borrow or buy used?
- Is there a no-experience-needed beginner division?
Do skills carry over?
Yes, many do. Catching, throwing, scooping ground balls, cradling, footwork, field sense and teamwork transfer between the two versions. The mechanics of the stick differ a little because of the pocket, and the rules around contact and positioning take time to relearn, but a player who switches will not be starting from zero. Wall ball, described in our guide to lacrosse wall ball at home, helps either way.
Common mistakes new families make
- Assuming gear is interchangeable. A girls' stick, boys' stick and each side's protective gear are built for their own rules.
- Expecting the YouTube highlight version of the game. Youth games look much simpler and slower.
- Comparing the two as better or worse. They are different games that reward different strengths.
- Buying gear before asking the league what is required or provided.
If the basics are new, start with lacrosse rules for beginners, then come back to this comparison with your league's handbook in hand.
What you will notice from the sideline
Even before you know the rules, the two games look different. In boys' lacrosse you will see players in helmets and pads, a lot of battling for ground balls, and groups of players substituting in and out through a gate or box near the bench. Play tends to bunch up around the ball, with the goalie and defenders staying near their own end.
In girls' lacrosse you will see players in lighter gear, more open space and longer passing sequences. Whistles often come from positioning or stick-contact calls rather than collisions. Neither look is better; each simply reflects its rule set. If you are puzzled by a call, our lacrosse fouls and penalties explained guide covers the most common whistles in both versions.
How youth leagues adjust the rules
Almost every youth program tweaks the standard rules to keep young players safe and engaged. Common adjustments include fewer players on the field, smaller fields, shorter periods, no body checking in the youngest divisions, modified restarts and rules that make sure everyone gets playing time. These change from league to league and from age group to age group, so the handbook or a quick email to the coordinator is always worth the minute it takes.
A practical tip: when you register, ask whether your child's division uses the standard rules or a modified youth version, and request a copy of any rules summary. Teams that play in tournaments should also check whether other leagues use different modifications, since a game against an unfamiliar program can feel different from your home games. Coaches are usually happy to explain, and a short chat before the first game saves confusion on the sideline.
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Sources and further reading
- Boys' Game Overview US Lacrosse
- Girls' Game Overview US Lacrosse
- Lacrosse - Stick, Ball, Field Encyclopaedia Britannica
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Frequently asked questions
Is girls' lacrosse a contact sport?
In standard rules, body contact is not allowed in girls' lacrosse, and stick contact is limited. It is still a fast, physical-feeling sport.
Why do boys wear helmets and girls usually do not?
Boys' lacrosse allows controlled contact, so players wear helmets and pads. Girls' lacrosse limits contact, so field players usually wear eyewear, but rules vary by league.
How many players are on a lacrosse team on the field?
In standard rules, 10 for boys' and men's and 12 for girls' and women's. Youth leagues often use smaller numbers.
Can my child switch between boys' and girls' lacrosse?
Skills like catching, throwing and field sense carry over, but rules and sticks differ. Ask your league whether and how switching is allowed.
Is boys' lacrosse body checking allowed in youth games?
It depends on the league and age group. Many youth programs limit or ban body checking at younger ages, so ask yours.