Premiere Lacrosse League rules

The Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) is a professional field lacrosse league in the United States where two teams of 10 players compete to score goals by shooting a rubber ball into the opponent's net. The PLL combines traditional field lacrosse rules with innovative adjustments to encourage faster, high-scoring games.

Game Structure

• Field: The PLL field is 100 yards long by 50 yards wide, smaller than standard lacrosse fields, allowing for faster play. Each end has a 6-by-6-foot goal surrounded by a circular “crease” where only the goalie and defensive players may enter.
• Game Time: Games are divided into four 12-minute quarters, with a 15-minute halftime after the second quarter. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, a sudden-death overtime period begins, lasting until one team scores.
• Shot Clock: Teams must shoot within a 52-second shot clock. Failure to shoot within this time results in a turnover to the opposing team.

Scoring

• Goals (1 or 2 points): Most goals are worth one point, but goals scored from beyond the 15-yard “two-point arc” earn two points.
• Face-Off: Each quarter and goal begins with a face-off, where players at midfield battle for possession. Face-offs are contested by specialized players known as face-off specialists.

Play Mechanics

• Offense and Defense: The offensive team uses passing, dodging, and shooting to create scoring opportunities, while defenders attempt to intercept passes, block shots, and legally check opponents to prevent scoring.
• Crease Play: Only the goalie and defensive players may enter the crease area. Offensive players may attempt to shoot from outside the crease, but any contact with the goalie in this area results in a turnover.
• Substitutions: PLL games use on-the-fly substitutions, meaning players can enter and exit the field at any time without stopping play. Teams often substitute players for strategic advantages, such as adding offensive or defensive specialists during transitions.

Penalties and Violations

• Personal Fouls: Contact deemed illegal, such as slashing (excessive stick-to-body contact), tripping, or cross-checking (using the stick shaft against an opponent), results in a personal foul. The offending player is sent to the penalty box for one to three minutes, and their team must play with one fewer player (a “man-down” scenario).
• Technical Fouls: Minor infractions like holding, pushing, or offsides (exceeding positional limits on each side of the field) result in technical fouls, often leading to a 30-second penalty or turnover.
• Penalties and Man-Up Situations: When a team commits a penalty, the opposing team has a “man-up” advantage, where they can outnumber the defending players. This power play lasts until the penalty expires or the penalized team gains possession.

Special Rules and Timeouts

• Timeouts: Each team has two timeouts per half. Timeouts are used strategically to stop play, rest players, or plan tactics.
• Overtime: In tied games, sudden-death overtime is played, with the first team to score declared the winner.

Game Flow and Pace of Play

• Transition and Clearing: After gaining possession, teams must advance the ball over the midfield line within a set time (usually 10 seconds) to avoid a turnover. Quick transitions and clears are essential to maintain the game’s pace.
• Face-Off Specialists and Long Poles: The PLL allows teams to designate face-off specialists and use long poles (sticks up to six feet) for increased reach in defense. Each team is allowed four long poles on the field at a time.

League Structure and Playoffs The PLL is a touring league where teams travel to different cities across the U.S. Each season includes a regular season and playoffs, with the top teams competing in a single-elimination format to determine the PLL champion.

The PLL’s unique rules and focus on high-speed, high-scoring gameplay have helped redefine professional lacrosse, blending tradition with innovations that enhance the game’s pace, skill level, and excitement for fans.

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