Crease Violations in Men’s Lacrosse: Rules and Penalties Across Different Levels of Play

In men’s field lacrosse, a crease violation occurs when an offensive player steps into or lands inside the opponent’s crease, or makes contact with the goalie while they are in the crease. The rule varies across different levels of play, and the penalties can differ as well:

Youth Lacrosse:

• Crease Violation: If a player steps into or touches the crease, play is stopped immediately, and possession is awarded to the defending team.

• Penalty: Turnover, no time served.

High School Lacrosse:

• Crease Violation: An offensive player stepping into the crease or contacting the goalie results in the immediate loss of possession.

• Penalty: Turnover, no time served.

College Lacrosse (NCAA):

• Crease Violation: Offending players lose possession if they step into the crease before the ball or make contact with the goalie. The NCAA allows dives, but goals are disallowed if the offensive player lands in the crease or contacts the goalie.

• Penalty: Turnover, no time served. However, if goalie interference is involved, a 30-second technical penalty may be issued.

Professional Lacrosse (PLL/MLL):

• Crease Violation: Offensive players can dive into the crease, but if they touch the crease before the ball crosses the goal line or contact the goalie, the goal is disallowed.

• Penalty: Turnover, no time served. However, repeated goalie interference may result in a 30-second technical penalty.

International Lacrosse (World Lacrosse):

• Crease Violation: Offensive players cannot enter the crease, and any contact with the goalie while in the crease results in a turnover or disallowed goal.

• Penalty: Turnover, no time served. Depending on the severity, it may also result in a 30-second technical penalty for goalie interference.

In all cases, a crease violation leads to a turnover, and in more severe cases, such as goalie interference, a technical penalty of 30 seconds may be enforced.