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This page explains what lacrosse's rule books, governing bodies and standards bodies publish. It is not a substitute for coaching from a qualified coach, and it does not replace medical advice.
The book this page uses
The figures here come from World Lacrosse's 2026-2028 Box Lacrosse Official Playing Rules, whose cover is dated May 2026 and marked version 2.0 (an inner page also prints "version 1.0"). Box lacrosse is played by men and women, and this rule book does not split equipment by gender. National bodies may vary it, and Lacrosse Canada does, as the last section of this page shows.
This page gives limits and checks only. It does not explain how to string, shape or adjust a stick, and it cannot say whether any stick is legal: that is for the rule in force and the officials.
The player's stick (Rules 2.2 and 2.4)
| Rule | What it sets |
|---|---|
| 2.2.1 | A fixed overall length of 40 to 42 in, except the goalkeeper's stick |
| 2.2.2 | Head 4.5 to 7 in inside at its widest point, except the goalkeeper's |
| 2.2.3 | At most one guard stop, at least 10 in from the head to the nearest edge of the stop |
| 2.2.4 | Pocket depth no more than 5 in, measured from the top outside edge of the sidewalls |
| 2.4.1 | Made of hollow synthetic or metal type material with the head attached directly to the handle; the shaft may not be filled with any substance; all other sticks are illegal |
| 2.4.2 | The shaft end has a plastic or rubber plug or is adequately taped |
| 2.4.3 and 2.4.4 | No pocket strung or coloured to mislead an opponent about whether the ball is in the stick; no construction or stringing designed to withhold the ball; the ball must travel between the sidewalls along the whole head and must come out when the stick is turned parallel to the floor |
Compared with World Lacrosse's men's field rules, the box head is narrower: men's field Rule 15.2 (2025-2027, version 1.0; a version 1.1 dated January 2026 was not read) allows 6 to 10 in, box Rule 2.2.2 allows 4.5 to 7 in. Box also has one stick length for every player except the goalkeeper, where men's field has short and long sticks. The field figures are on men's sticks.
The goalkeeper's stick (Rule 2.3)
The box goalkeeper stick is 40 to 72 in long, no more than 13 in wide measured to the outside edges, and no more than 16.5 in from the top of the head to the bottom of the throat. The rule gives the shaft's diameter at its widest point as 2 in, and building up the shaft with tape or other material for undue help is not permitted. The rest of the box goalkeeper's equipment is on goalkeeper equipment.
Stick checks and penalties
- Rule 2.4.5: only the captain, an assistant captain or the head coach may ask for a stick measurement and dislodgement check, only during a time-out or normal stoppage, and once per team per stoppage. If the stick is legal, the requesting team is given a two-minute bench minor. There is no immediate check after an overtime goal.
- Rules 2.4.6 to 2.4.9: an illegal stick is a two-minute penalty. A goal scored with a stick found illegal before the next live ball is disallowed, and the minor penalty is then not imposed. Referees may check sticks at random between quarters and in time-outs. An illegal stick is held at the timer and scorer area until after the game.
Lacrosse Canada in 2026
Lacrosse Canada is adopting World Lacrosse's box rule book in phases. Its memo dated 28 January 2026 says the World Lacrosse rule book, together with Lacrosse Canada's Age and Stage Modifications, applies to the 2026 box season except where the memo says otherwise. On sticks, the memo says:
- wooden sticks are permitted for players and goalies in the 2026 box season, unless a technical package or tournament contract says otherwise;
- research on goalie sticks continues through the 2026 season, with no changes during that period;
- all player sticks must meet the measurements.
Wooden sticks: World Lacrosse and Lacrosse Canada differ
World Lacrosse box Rule 2.4.1 (2026-2028) allows only hollow synthetic or metal type sticks and calls all other sticks illegal. Lacrosse Canada's 28 January 2026 memo permits wooden sticks for players and goalies in Canadian box play in 2026. Both are correct for their own competitions: the World Lacrosse rule governs World Lacrosse events, and the memo governs Lacrosse Canada play in the 2026 season.
Other box codes
USA Lacrosse lists a 2023 box rule book among its rules documents; it was not read for this site, so no USA Lacrosse box figure appears here. Professional league rules were not part of the research. The box game as a whole is described on box lacrosse, and what sticks may be made of on stick materials.
Sources
- World Lacrosse, Box Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2026-2028, v2.0 (May 2026)
- Lacrosse Canada, memo regarding equipment and rules in 2026 (28 January 2026)
- USA Lacrosse, boys' and men's rules page
- World Lacrosse, Men's Field Lacrosse Official Playing Rules 2025-2027, v1.0 (copy hosted by BC Lacrosse with World Lacrosse's permission)
- World Lacrosse, playing rules page (lists men's field v1.1, January 2026; read 23 October 2026)