National Lacrosse League box lacrosse is a fast, physical indoor version of lacrosse played with six players per team on the floor, a 30-second shot clock and four 15-minute quarters. The six players normally consist of five runners and one goalkeeper.

Unlike field lacrosse, NLL games are played on an enclosed artificial surface surrounded by boards and glass. The boards generally keep the ball in play, substitutions happen rapidly and certain forms of cross-checking are legal. For new fans, understanding the shot clock, boards, substitutions, contact and crease rules explains much of what happens during an NLL game.

What Are The Basic Rules Of NLL Box Lacrosse?

NLL box lacrosse is played six-on-six, with five runners and one goalkeeper normally on the floor for each team. Regulation lasts 60 minutes, divided into four 15-minute quarters.

The objective is to put the ball completely across the goal plane between the posts and under the crossbar. NLL goals measure 4 feet, 9 inches wide by 4 feet high, smaller than the 6-by-6-foot goals used in NCAA field lacrosse.

NLL teams can remove their goalkeeper for another runner, but the replacement runner does not receive goalkeeper privileges.

How Does The 30-Second Shot Clock Work In The NLL?

The NLL uses a 30-second shot clock that limits how long a team can possess the ball without producing a qualifying shot. The shot clock begins with team possession and operates during regulation and overtime.

Qualifying shots can reset the clock, including shots that hit the goal, goalpost or a properly positioned goalkeeper under NLL rules.

The short clock helps explain the game's pace. Teams cannot simply maintain possession for long stretches. They must quickly create a scoring opportunity or risk losing the ball.

Are The Boards Live In Box Lacrosse?

Yes, the boards generally are live in NLL box lacrosse. A pass or shot that hits the boards can rebound back onto the floor and remain in play.

That creates a major difference from field lacrosse. A missed pass does not necessarily result in an out-of-bounds restart, and players can continue pursuing balls that ricochet around the enclosed playing surface.

The ball still can go out of bounds if it contacts something or someone outside the defined playing surface under NLL rules.

How Do Substitutions Work In NLL Lacrosse?

NLL teams can substitute players on the fly while play continues. Players enter and leave through the designated bench and change area, allowing teams to make frequent changes throughout a game.

That can resemble hockey-style line changes for a new viewer. Teams frequently swap groups of runners as possession changes rather than waiting for every substitution to occur during a stoppage.

Illegal substitutions can result in penalties, including situations involving too many players on the floor.

Is Cross-Checking Legal In The NLL?

Certain forms of cross-checking are legal in the NLL, but cross-checking is not universally legal. A cross-check is contact made using the stick shaft between a player's hands.

Under NLL rules, a player can legally cross-check an opponent who has possession on the arms, below the shoulders and above the waist while using both hands on the stick.

Contact above the shoulders, below the waist or from behind is illegal. Excessive or otherwise illegal cross-checking also can result in penalties of varying severity.

These are specifically NLL rules. Other versions of box lacrosse can use different rules for contact and cross-checking.     Lacrosse Evergreen Article Rese…

What Is The Crease Rule In NLL Lacrosse?

The crease is the protected area around the NLL goal, and attackers face restrictions on entering it. A player carrying the ball commits a crease violation if any part of the player's body is on or inside the crease, although the stick may extend into it.

A shooter's momentum can carry the player through the crease after releasing the ball in certain circumstances. However, if prohibited crease contact occurs before the ball completely crosses the goal plane, the goal is disallowed.

A goalkeeper or defender possessing the ball in the crease also must move it out within four seconds.

How Do Penalties Work In NLL Lacrosse?

NLL penalties can result in anything from a change of possession to a player serving time in the penalty box. A time-serving penalty can create an extra-man opportunity for the opposing team.

A minor penalty normally lasts two minutes, while a major lasts five minutes. A misconduct lasts 10 minutes, though a substitute ordinarily replaces the player serving a misconduct, meaning the team is not necessarily shorthanded for those 10 minutes.

A standard minor also can end early when the opposing team scores an applicable extra-man goal. Major penalties are administered differently.

Is Fighting Legal In The NLL?

No. Fighting is penalized under NLL rules. The physical nature of box lacrosse does not mean players are permitted to fight without consequences.

NLL rules distinguish fighting from other rough play. Fighting can result in a major penalty, while an instigator or aggressor can receive additional penalties and a game misconduct. Repeat incidents also can lead to suspensions.     Lacrosse Evergreen Article Rese…

How Does Overtime Work In The NLL?

NLL games tied after regulation use repeating 15-minute sudden-death overtime periods. The first team to score wins the game.

The 30-second shot clock remains in use during overtime.

What Should A New NLL Fan Watch For?

New NLL fans should start by watching the 30-second shot clock, live boards, rapid substitutions, crease and physical play. Those rules explain much of the speed and flow that distinguishes NLL box lacrosse.

Watch how quickly teams attack after gaining possession, how runners change as the ball moves from one end to the other and how rebounds off the boards keep plays alive.

Near the goal, pay attention to the crease and the timing of a shooter's movement through it. When a penalty is called, look for the resulting extra-man opportunity.

Once those concepts become familiar, the action in an NLL game becomes considerably easier to follow.

Frequently Asked Questions About FloLacrosse

What Do You Get With A FloLacrosse Subscription?

A FloLacrosse subscription combines live lacrosse with replays and year-round coverage of the sport.

The NLL gives subscribers a season-long professional box lacrosse property to follow, while FloLacrosse also carries additional college, high school and event programming. Beyond streaming, fans can use FloLacrosse for rankings, recruiting coverage, scores, schedules, highlights, interviews, news and analysis, creating a destination for following lacrosse rather than simply finding a stream on game day.

What Can You Watch On FloLacrosse?

FloLacrosse subscribers can watch professional lacrosse through the National Lacrosse League, along with additional college, high school and event coverage available on the platform.

The NLL significantly expands that offering by providing a professional league fans can follow across an entire season. FloLacrosse's broader schedule also features field and box lacrosse at multiple levels, though specific event availability can vary by competition and streaming rights.

Can You Watch The NLL On FloLacrosse?

Yes. The National Lacrosse League streams on FloLacrosse as part of FloSports' partnership with the NLL.

That makes professional box lacrosse one of the biggest reasons for lacrosse fans to consider a subscription. Fans can follow NLL teams, players and games throughout the season while using FloLacrosse's broader coverage to keep up with the league and the sport.

Can You Watch Lacrosse Live And On Demand On FloLacrosse?

Yes. FloLacrosse provides live streams and on-demand replays for supported lacrosse programming.

That gives fans flexibility to watch games live or return to available broadcasts afterward. Subscribers also can watch through supported FloSports apps and connected devices, making it easier to follow lacrosse throughout a busy weekend or season.

Does FloLacrosse Have Scores, Schedules And Results?

Yes. FloLacrosse provides schedules, scores, results and other competition information alongside its video and editorial coverage.

These resources help fans track upcoming games and completed events while following leagues, teams and tournaments throughout the season.

Is A FloLacrosse Subscription Worth It?

FloLacrosse provides the most value to fans who want to follow lacrosse across multiple levels. The addition of the NLL strengthens that offering with season-long professional box lacrosse, while college, high school, recruiting and event coverage provides additional ways to follow the sport. Live games, replays, rankings, scores, recruiting coverage and original reporting extend the platform's usefulness beyond individual broadcasts.

How Do I Sign Up For FloLacrosse?

Fans interested in subscribing can visit the official FloLacrosse signup page to see current subscription options and sign up for access to available NLL games and other live and on-demand lacrosse programming.

What do you get with a FloLacrosse subscription?

Subscribers get supported live lacrosse and replays, including NLL coverage, plus rankings, recruiting coverage, schedules, scores, results, highlights, news and analysis.

Can you watch the NLL on FloLacrosse?

Yes. FloSports is an NLL streaming partner, giving FloLacrosse subscribers access to National Lacrosse League coverage as part of the platform's professional lacrosse offering.

What lacrosse can you watch on FloLacrosse?

FloLacrosse features professional box lacrosse through the NLL along with currently available college, high school and other lacrosse competitions.

Can you watch FloLacrosse on demand?

Yes. Supported games and events are available for replay, allowing subscribers to catch up on lacrosse they could not watch live.