Checking v. No Checking

When it comes to gear, here’s the most important differentiator: boys/coed lacrosse allows checking, while the girls' game doesn’t. This means that while there are rules that penalize especially violent checking, checking is part of the game and carries a risk of injury which is why protective gear is mandated for boys/coed lacrosse. In women’s lacrosse, any kind of body checks or stick checks that hit the player will result in a penalty, so the gear requirements are significantly smaller. 

Playing Field & Roster Size Difference

Boys/Coed lacrosse typically has 10 players on the field – three at each of the field positions of attacker, midfielder and defense; and one goalie. The girls game has 12 players: 5 offensive players (first home, second home and third home, as well as 2 attackers); 6 defensive (center, point, cover point and third man, along with 2 wings); and the goalie. Girls lacrosse has a larger standard playing area – a 120x70-yard surface, as opposed to the 110x60-yard fields that men play on. In some cases women may play on a field up to 140 yards long – thirty yards longer than a standard men’s field. 

Stick Differences

There’s also a difference in the sticks the players use. Boys/Coed can use either a short stick (40–42”) or a long pole (52–72”), while girls’ sticks range from 35.5” to 43.25”. Girls’ lacrosse stick heads also have less of a pocket compared to what the boys/coed use, which makes cradling, throwing, and shooting more distinct.

Game Play Differences

Both games have different sets of rules.  Think about likening field hockey to ice hockey. These distinctions make an impact on the two games and establish them as noticeably different, but both contain the same elements of what makes lacrosse great.