Contact rules
Boys lacrosse: body checking and stick checking are legal within specific parameters. Players wear helmets, shoulder pads, elbow pads, and gloves. Physical play is a defined part of the game.
Girls lacrosse: body contact is not permitted. Stick checking is allowed but restricted, and deliberate contact with another player draws a foul. Protective equipment at the youth level is typically a mouthguard, eye protection (goggles), and a light glove.
Field size
Boys: 110 yards by 60 yards, with a 6-by-6-foot goal. Crease is an 18-foot circle around the goal.
Girls: similar dimensions at the youth level, though games use a 12-meter arc rather than a crease, and goal circle rules differ.
Stick rules
Boys sticks have a deeper pocket that can hold the ball more securely, which allows for different carrying and shooting mechanics. Girls sticks have a shallower pocket with strict stringing rules. A legal girls pocket means the ball sits at the mesh level or above. Pocket violations draw an immediate foul in girls lacrosse.
Goalies
Boys goalies wear a helmet, chest protector, throat guard, gloves, and arm pads. The crease is theirs: no field player can enter.
Girls goalies wear the same protective equipment as boys goalies when inside the goal circle. Different substitution rules apply for goalie changes.
Time and game structure
Boys: two halves (at the high school level) or four quarters (at youth and college levels). Shot clock exists at college level.
Girls: two 25-minute halves in high school. Youth programs vary by local rules.
Key foul categories
Boys: technical fouls (push in the back, crease violation) and personal fouls (slashing, cross-checking, illegal body check). Personal fouls result in suspension time.
Girls: major fouls (dangerous contact, shooting space violation) and minor fouls (illegal stick, 3-second crease violation). The free position shot is the primary penalty outcome in girls lacrosse.