Lacrosse Field Dimensions & Layout Guide

The regulation dimensions of a lacrosse field differ for men’s and women’s lacrosse due to the differences in rules for each gender.

With this in mind, we have created a comprehensive guide to lacrosse field sizes and lines. The guide covers all the dimensions and markings for men’s and women’s lacrosse fields, including diagrams to clearly display the field layouts and sizes for men’s and women’s lacrosse.

The guide also covers the differences between adult and junior fields dimensions and explains what each line/area of the field is used for during play.

Lacrosse Field Dimensions

First, we will go through the dimensions of a lacrosse field for both men’s and women’s’ games. There are significant differences in the rules between the two, which leads to the field sizes and markings looking slightly different. Both genders play on a field similar to a football or soccer field, with a playing surface of either natural grass or artificial field turf.

Women’s Lacrosse Field Dimensions

USA Lacrosse specify that the regulation size of a women’s lacrosse field can be between 110-140 yards (330-420ft/100.6-128m) in length and 60-70 yards (180-210ft/54.9-64m) in width. A large field is typically used to give players more space and encourage less physical contact, whilst a smaller field does the opposite.

For girls aged under 12, USA Lacrosse states the size of the field should be 60-70 yards (180-210ft/54.9-64m) in length and 35-45 yards (105-135ft/32-41.1m) in width. Once players reach 12 years of age, they move to a full-size women’s lacrosse field.

Men’s Lacrosse Field Dimensions

The regulation size of a men’s lacrosse field is smaller than a women’s field at 110 yards (330ft/100.6m) in length and 60-70 yards (180-210ft/54.9-64m) in width. The field is smaller to allow for greater physicality during games, with checks and other contact allowed within the laws of the men’s game. For this reason, male players must wear protective clothing such as a helmet, shoulder pads, elbow pads and gloves.

For boys under 12 years old, USA Lacrosse says the size of the field should be 60-70 yards (180-210ft/54.9-64m) in length and 35-45 yards (105-135ft/32-41.1m) in width. Once players reach 12 years of age, they move to a full-size men’s lacrosse field.

Lacrosse Field Layout & Markings

The lines and markings on a lacrosse field tell players where to stand and help referees enforce the rules. The markings vary from the men’s to the women’s game. Below is a complete breakdown of all the lines on lacrosse fields.

End Lines

The end lines are located at both ends of the field. Measuring 60-70 yards (180-210ft/54.9-64m) in length, the end lines form the back boundary of the offensive and defensive areas. When the ball crosses the end line following an attempted pass, the team that last touched the ball loses possession. If the ball crosses the end line from a shot on goal, the team with a player closest to the end line is awarded the ball.

Sidelines

The sidelines connect to the end lines and form the boundary lines on either side of the field. They run for 110 yards on a men’s lacrosse field and between 110-140 yards (330-420ft/100.6-128m) on a women’s lacrosse field.

If the ball crosses the sideline, the team that last touched the ball will lose possession. The ball is also considered out of bounds if a player carrying that ball in their crosse is touching the line with any part of their body.

Restraining Lines

The restraining lines define the attack area and the defensive area of the field. The lines run the full width of the field, parallel to the end lines. The restraining lines are used to position players for faceoffs, draws and during normal play. Only three players per side are allowed beyond the restraining lines at each end of the field. The restraining lines are measured 20 yards (60ft/18.3m) from the men’s midfield line, and the women’s central hash line.

Goal Crease

The goal crease is marked by a circle 9ft/2.7m radius circle. The goal is positioned along the centre of the goal crease. Only goalkeepers are allowed within the goal crease and offensive players must not make contact with the goal crease or the goalkeeper when attempting to score.

Goal Line

This is a 2-inch-wide line that establishes whether a goal has been scored or not. If the ball fully crosses the goal line then a goal is awarded. The goal posts should sit at each end of the goal line. The line should be parallel with the end line and in men’s lacrosse will sit on the front edge of the goal mouth. In women’s lacrosse the goal line will be in the centre of the goal crease, measuring between 10 yards – 20 yards (30ft-60ft/9.1m-18.2m) from the end line, dependant on the size of the field.

Goal Line Extended (GLE)

The GLE refers to an imaginary line even with the goal line that runs parallel to the end line and extends out to the sidelines. Whilst this isn’t a physical line marked on the field, the GLE is used to position a restart after a penalty call.

Two-Point Arc

The two-point arc is only used in professional lacrosse and won’t be found on youth or collegiate lacrosse fields. If a player scores from outside this arc, then two points are awarded instead of one. The arc is 15 yards (45ft/13.7m) in radius from the centre of the goal line. Once the arc reaches the GLE it then straightens out and runs directly to the end line, parallel to the sideline. The zone behind the GLE is 30 yards (90ft/27.4m) in width.

Markings unique to women’s Lacrosse

Center Circle and Line

Instead of the centre field X on a men’s field, there is a centre circle with a radius of 30ft with a 9ft 11in line in the centre of the circle. This is where the draw takes place in women’s lacrosse which acts as an equivalent to the faceoff in men’s lacrosse.

8-Meter Arc

The 8-meter arc is the first of two semicircular arcs that surround the goals and are measured from the centre of the goal line. The 8-meter arc begins after a line 45 degrees from the GLE is drawn on either side of the goal line and is marked out with hash lines.

When committing a foul inside the 8-meter arc, all players that were previously inside the arc or fan must take the most direct route out. The player who was fouled then moves to the nearest hash mark that is located around the edges of the arc or fan and takes up a position to shoot or pass the ball.

12-Meter Fan

The 12-meter fan is the outermost semicircular arc that surrounds the 8-meter arc. Measured with a 12-meter radius from the goal line, unlike the 8-meter arc, this is measured as a full half circle and extends out from the goal line.

For a foul inside the 12-meter fan, the fouled player is moved to the nearest spot on the fan and is given the ball to continue play but they can’t shoot.

Markings unique to men’s Lacrosse

Midfield Line

The midfield line divides the field into two equal halves, known as the offensive half and defensive half. In men’s lacrosse, the midfield line is used to call penalties like offsides. At the centre of the midfield line, an X is painted. This is where the ‘faceoff’ takes place at the start of every quarter, after a goal is scored or to start an overtime period.

Wing Area

Only present on a men’s Lacrosse field, the wing area or ‘alley’ is outlined by hash marks positioned 10 yards (30ft/9.1m) infield on each side of the midfield line, parallel to the sidelines. Two out of the three midfielders must wait in the wing area until the faceoff begins.

Goal Mouth

In men’s college Lacrosse only, the goal mouth is an 6ft/1.8m radius half-circle that is drawn. This is measured from the centre of the goal crease. This was bought in by the NCAA in 2020 to prohibit jumping and diving into the goal crease, in order to prevent any contact with the goalkeeper.

Lacrosse Field FAQS

How to mark out a Lacrosse Field?

Now that you know all about the markings and dimensions of a lacrosse field you can go ahead and start marking the lines. With all the different measurements and components of both men’s and women’s fields, this can be quite overwhelming so in this section we’ve included steps to painting your lacrosse field.

We recommend using a tape measure and a portable line marker for precise markings, especially when it comes to marking the arcs and fans in the women’s game. Typically, white paint is used, however, as long as the colour contrasts with the field then that is permitted.

USA Lacrosse state that the goal line should be 2 inches wide, and the centre line should be 4 inches wide. They also recommend all other lines to be in between 2-4 inches wide but must be consistent once a size has been determined.

Steps to painting a Women’s Lacrosse Field

1. Paint the first end line.
2. Using a 3,4,5 Line Marking Triangle, paint your first sideline perpendicular to the end line.
3. Paint your second end line that connects to the sideline painted in step 2, using the triangle again for perfect corners.
4. Connect the two end lines by painting your last sideline.
5. Paint the Goal crease, the 8-meter arc and the 12-meter fan.
6. Paint the restraining lines to form the defensive and attacking areas.
7. Paint the centre circle line with the centre line in the middle of the circle for the faceoffs.

You can find further in-depth instruction on how to line a women’s lacrosse field, by reading USA Lacrosse’s full guide here.

Steps to painting a Men’s Lacrosse Field

1. Paint the first end line.
2. Using a 3,4,5 Line Marking Triangle, paint your first sideline perpendicular to the end line.
3. Paint your second end line that connects to the sideline painted in step 2, using the triangle again for perfect corners
4. Connect the two end lines by painting your last sideline.
5. Paint the Goal crease, goal mouth and goal line.
6. Paint the restraining lines to form the defensive and attacking areas.
7. Paint the vertical lines extending from the end line to the restraining lines. These lines should be painted 20 yards from the centre of the goal area and parallel to the sidelines.
8. Paint the midfield line with the X in the centre of the field for the faceoffs.
9. Paint vertical lines on either side of the field that are perpendicular to the midfield line and extend 10 yards either side of the midfield line. These lines should be 20 yards from the centre of the field. This will form the wing areas.

You can find further in-depth instruction on how to line a men’s lacrosse field, by reading USA Lacrosse’s full guide here.

What are the differences between Lacrosse and Field Hockey?

Although both sports require players to use a stick to get the ball towards an opponent’s goal, there are significant differences between field hockey and lacrosse due to the rules of both games.

In field hockey, goals are positioned on the end-lines while in lacrosse the goal creases are infield. Whilst both pitches are divided into two halves, there are no attacking and defensive zones in hockey and players are allowed to move freely across the pitch.

In lacrosse, you are able to shoot from anywhere on the pitch, however in field hockey you are restricted to just shooting from the ‘shooting circle’ that surrounds the goal.

The area surrounding the goal is the other main difference between the two sports fields as in field hockey players can get as close to the goal as they wish. In contrast, a lacrosse goal is surrounded by a goal crease that only the defending goalkeeper is allowed to enter. In women’s lacrosse there are 8 and 12-meter arcs also surrounding the goal area that aren’t present on a hockey field.

It’s not only the fields that differ as the sticks, balls and goals used in field hockey and lacrosse are also very different. Add to this the different protective equipment worn by players and the numbers of players per team and playing periods which also differ, and you begin to see that there are clear differences between the two sports.

At Net World Sports we carry a range of FORZA Lacrosse equipment including lacrosse balls, lacrosse goals, netting, field and training equipment in order to get you fully prepared for your lacrosse matches.