The lacrosse crease is the marked protected area surrounding the goal where goalkeepers receive special privileges and attacking players face restrictions. The exact size of the crease and what players can do inside it depend on the version of lacrosse being played.

NCAA men’s field lacrosse, NCAA women’s field lacrosse, National Lacrosse League box lacrosse and World Lacrosse Sixes all have their own crease or goal-circle rules.

What Is The Lacrosse Crease?

The crease is the protected area around a lacrosse goal. It gives the goalkeeper special protections and privileges while limiting what attacking players can do around the goal.

In women’s lacrosse, the protected area is called the goal circle.

The basic concept is similar across lacrosse, but the dimensions, entry rules, goalkeeper possession limits and rights of other players vary by format.

How Big Is A Lacrosse Crease?

There is no universal lacrosse crease size because different versions of the sport use different dimensions.

NCAA men’s field lacrosse uses a 9-foot-radius crease. NCAA women’s field lacrosse uses an 8½-foot, or 2.6-meter, radius goal circle.

World Lacrosse Sixes uses a 3-meter-radius crease. NLL box lacrosse uses its own box-lacrosse crease specification.

That means describing the lacrosse crease as simply a 9-foot circle would be inaccurate across the sport.

Can Offensive Players Enter The Lacrosse Crease?

Whether an offensive player can enter the crease depends on the version of lacrosse and what happens before, during and after a shot.

In NCAA men’s lacrosse, attackers face crease restrictions, but certain diving or jumping shots can be legal when the shooter follows the applicable goalmouth and crease-contact rules.

In NCAA women’s lacrosse, a shooter’s feet may not touch the goal circle during the shooting action, although the stick can follow through over the circle under specified conditions.

In the NLL, a player carrying the ball commits a crease violation if any part of the body is on or inside the crease. The player’s stick, however, may extend into the crease.

Can A Lacrosse Player Land In The Crease After A Shot?

In some forms of lacrosse, entering or landing in the crease after releasing a shot can be legal under specific conditions.

NCAA men’s rules allow certain diving or jumping shots when the shooter complies with the applicable release, goalmouth and crease-contact requirements.

NLL rules also allow a shooter’s momentum to carry the player into and through the crease after releasing a shot or pass in certain circumstances, provided the player does not gain an advantage or illegally interfere.

Timing is especially important in the NLL. If prohibited crease contact occurs before the ball completely crosses the goal plane, the goal does not count.

What Are The Goalie’s Crease Rules In Lacrosse?

Lacrosse goalkeepers receive special privileges and protections inside the crease, but they also face limits on how long they can possess the ball there.

The possession limit depends on the format.

An NCAA men’s goalkeeper has four seconds to move possession from the crease. An NCAA women’s goalkeeper has 10 seconds to clear after the ball enters the goal circle.

In the NLL, a goalkeeper or defender possessing the ball in the crease has four seconds to move it out. In World Lacrosse Sixes, a goalkeeper or other player possessing the ball in the defensive crease has five seconds.

There is no universal rule that gives every lacrosse goalie four seconds.

Can Defenders Enter The Lacrosse Crease?

Defenders can enter or play in the crease in some versions of lacrosse, but their rights depend on the ruleset. The crease should not be viewed as an area that only the goalkeeper can ever enter.

NLL rules give non-goalie defenders specific privileges in the crease. A defender possessing the ball there receives certain protections while still being subject to the applicable stick-checking rules.

NCAA women’s rules also allow defenders to run through or occupy the goal circle in several specifically defined defensive situations.

What Is A Crease Violation In Lacrosse?

A crease violation occurs when a player breaks the crease or goal-circle rules for the specific version of lacrosse being played.

For example, an NLL ball carrier can commit a violation by putting a body part on or inside the crease. An NCAA women’s attacker can violate the rules by illegally touching the goal circle.

Crease violations also can involve illegal contact with a goalkeeper or a goalie exceeding the applicable possession limit.

The result depends on the format and situation and can include a change of possession, free position or disallowed goal.

Why Can A Goal Be Disallowed For A Crease Violation?

A lacrosse goal can be disallowed when an attacking player violates the applicable crease rule before the ball legally enters the goal.

The NLL provides a clear example. If a shooter makes prohibited crease contact before the ball completely crosses the goal plane, the goal does not count.

That is why the location and timing of the shooter can matter just as much as whether the ball eventually enters the net.

Other versions of lacrosse have their own crease and goal-circle rules, so the NLL standard should not be applied universally.

Are Crease Rules The Same In Field, Box And Sixes Lacrosse?

No. Crease rules differ between men’s field, women’s field, NLL box and Sixes lacrosse.

The formats use different crease dimensions, attacker-entry rules, post-shot rules, goalkeeper possession limits and defender privileges.

For a new fan, the most important thing to remember is that the crease protects the goal area and gives the goalkeeper special privileges, but who can enter it and what they can do there depends on the version of lacrosse being played.

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.