A clear in lacrosse is the process of moving the ball from the defensive end of the field into the offensive end after gaining possession. In NCAA men's lacrosse, teams must advance the ball across midfield within the clearing portion of the possession clock.
Clearing often begins after a goalie save, defensive stop or turnover. It is an important part of transitioning from defense to offense, especially when the opposing team applies pressure to prevent the ball from advancing.
What Is A Clear In Lacrosse?
A clear is when a lacrosse team moves possession from its defensive end into its offensive end while satisfying applicable timing and zone requirements.
A clear can begin with a goalkeeper making an outlet pass, a defender carrying the ball upfield or a midfielder receiving a pass and advancing possession.
Clearing is not a shot or scoring attempt. It is the transition that allows a team to establish its offense.
How Does Clearing Work In Lacrosse?
Clearing begins when a team gains possession in its defensive end and attempts to advance the ball into its offensive end.
Players can pass or carry the ball to move it upfield. A typical clear involves gaining possession, moving the ball away from the team's goal, advancing toward midfield and establishing an offensive attack.
Not every clear requires the same number of passes or begins with the goalkeeper.
How Much Time Does A Team Have To Clear In NCAA Men's Lacrosse?
NCAA men's lacrosse effectively gives a team 20 seconds to complete its initial clear.
The NCAA men's possession clock begins at 80 seconds. The team must advance the ball across midfield while at least 60 seconds remain.
That creates an effective 20-second clearing window within the larger possession clock.
The 20 seconds is not a separate shot clock. It is part of the NCAA men's 80-second possession structure.
What Happens If A Team Fails To Clear The Ball?
A team fails to meet the NCAA men's clearing requirement when it does not advance the ball across midfield within the required portion of the possession clock.
Failing to complete the clear means the team has not satisfied the applicable advancement requirement.
A clearing attempt also can fail when the team loses possession before successfully moving the ball into its offensive end.
What Is A Ride In Lacrosse?
A ride in lacrosse is defensive pressure intended to disrupt an opponent's clearing attempt.
While one team tries to advance possession, the opposing team attempts to make that transition difficult.
Riding can involve pressuring the ball carrier, challenging passing options and trying to force a turnover before the clear is completed.
What Is The Difference Between Clearing And Riding In Lacrosse?
Clearing is what the team with possession tries to accomplish, while riding is how the opposing team tries to prevent that clear.
Both happen during the same transition.
For example, a defender may try to carry the ball toward midfield while opposing attackers pressure the ball carrier and available passing options.
Can A Lacrosse Goalie Help Clear The Ball?
Yes. A lacrosse goalkeeper can help begin a clear by moving the ball to a teammate after gaining possession.
An outlet pass can help transition the team from defense to offense.
In NCAA men's lacrosse, a goalkeeper also faces a four-second possession limit inside the crease.
That crease-possession requirement is separate from the effective 20-second clearing window.
What Is A Failed Clear In Lacrosse?
A failed clear occurs when a team attempting to advance possession out of its defensive end does not successfully complete the transition.
A team might lose possession while moving the ball upfield or fail to satisfy an applicable advancement requirement.
A failed clearing attempt is not necessarily the same thing as a specific rules violation. The distinction depends on what happened during the play.
Are Clearing Rules Different In Women's Lacrosse?
Yes. NCAA women's lacrosse uses its own possession and transition rules rather than the NCAA men's 20-second clearing requirement.
NCAA women's lacrosse has a 90-second possession clock, with qualifying situations that reset the clock to 60 seconds.
Clearing is governed within that possession structure rather than the men's 80-second clock and 60-seconds-remaining midfield requirement.
How Does Clearing Work In Box Lacrosse?
NLL box lacrosse also involves transitioning from defense to offense, but it operates under different rules from NCAA field lacrosse.
The NLL uses a 30-second possession clock and plays on an enclosed indoor surface surrounded by boards and glass.
Those differences create a different transition environment from the larger NCAA field game.
The NCAA men's 20-second clearing requirement should not be applied to NLL box lacrosse.
What Is The Over-And-Back Rule In Lacrosse?
The NCAA men's over-and-back rule generally prevents an offense from causing the ball to return to its defensive half after advancing into the offensive half once the possession clock is at or below 60 seconds.
The rule limits a team's ability to retreat after completing the applicable advancement requirement.
Not every ball crossing backward over midfield is automatically a violation because the rule has specific conditions and exceptions.
Why Is Clearing Important In Lacrosse?
Clearing is important because it allows a team to turn defensive possession into an offensive opportunity while avoiding turnovers and applicable clock violations.
A successful clear moves the ball into the attacking end, where the team can establish its offense and work toward a scoring opportunity.
The opposing team's ride makes that transition more difficult.
For a beginner watching lacrosse, following the clear and the ride is one of the easiest ways to understand how possession moves between defense and offense.
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.
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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.
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Does FloLacrosse Have Scores, Schedules And Results?
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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.
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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.