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The Daily Insight

What is an illegal check in lacrosse?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on March 30, 2026

An illegal body check in lacrosse is a body check with excessive contact. An illegal body check results in a non-releasable penalty in men’s lacrosse. While there are some forms of legal body checks in men’s lacrosse, body checking is strictly outlawed in women’s lacrosse.

How do you check in a lacrosse field?

Body checking is allowed against any opponent who is within 9 feet (2.74 meters) of a loose ball. Body checks may be thrown from the front or side and must be between the neck and the hip. Checking from behind, checking too high (above the neck) and checking too low (below the hip) will draw a penalty.

When can body checking be used in lacrosse?

Body checking is permitted if the opponent has the ball. However, all contact must occur from the front or side, above the waist and below the shoulders. An opponent’s crosse may also be stick checked if it is within five yards of a loose ball or ball in the air.

Can you stick check in lacrosse?

When stick checking, the player must make sure that their entire lacrosse stick is below shoulder level. Contact must only be stick to stick and any contact made to the opposing player’s body is illegal.

Can you cross check in lacrosse?

Stick-checking (“controlled slashing”) the head of the lacrosse stick or portion of the lacrosse stick between the players gloves is legal. Cross-checking in box Lacrosse (hands apart on shaft, and shaft driven into the opponents shoulder or chest), is both legal and a very important and proper method of checking.

What is checking in lacrosse?

A check is used by a defender to knock the ball out of an opponent’s stick head but it’s important to practice proper technique when checking in lacrosse. As the defender doing the checking, you should limit contact so that it’s only stick to stick.

Is there checking in lacrosse?

​According to 2017 Rules from US Lacrosse, there is no body checking allowed for U12 and below. For older boys, body checking is allowed against an opponent who is in possession of the ball or who is within three yards of the ball. Body checking must be below the shoulders and above the waist of an opponent.

Is stick checking allowed in lacrosse?

Is checking allowed in lacrosse?

What does checking mean in lacrosse?

Why do lacrosse players drop their sticks?

Coaches may request stick checks after a goal is scored or during any stoppage of play. Included in this proposed rule change are the following procedures: After a goal, the player who scored may not touch the strings of her crosse and must immediately drop her stick.

What are the rules of a lacrosse game?

Lacrosse: Rules. There are 10 players on each lacrosse team. Four of the players must stay on the defensive half of the field, three must stay on the offensive half, and three can go anywhere on the field. The game is typically divided up into two halves and 4 quarters with each quarter being 12 minutes long.

What is a cross check in lacrosse?

The cross check in lacrosse is when a player strikes another player with their stick and makes contact on the opponent’s shaft area between the hands. It also refers to when a defender pushes their opponent with the handle of their stick by deliberately extending their arms.

Can You body check in women’s lacrosse?

While there are some forms of legal body checks in men’s lacrosse, body checking is strictly outlawed in women’s lacrosse. The cross check in lacrosse is when a player strikes another player with their stick and makes contact on the opponent’s shaft area between the hands.

How many players are on a lacrosse team?

There are 10 players on each lacrosse team. Four of the players must stay on the defensive half of the field, three must stay on the offensive half, and three can go anywhere on the field. The game is typically divided up into two halves and 4 quarters with each quarter being 12 minutes long.