Question 1: What is the difference between box lacrosse and field lacrosse?

• Answer: There are several differences, however the major differences are as follows:
  • Smaller field and usually on a hard surface
  • Goal is much smaller.  Field: 6’x6’.  Box: 4’x4’
  • Goalie wears much more padding, similar to a hockey goalie
  • More physical play in box, but still safe.
  • No offsides in box.  5v5 plus goalie
  • All players use a short stick (no long poles)
  • More reps / touches than a traditional field practice

Question 2: Do players wear the same equipment as field lacrosse?

• Answer: Goalies wear more padding similar to a hockey goalie
  • Box players need to have Rib pads and bicep pads, in addition to all their field lacrosse equipment.
  • Box helmets are recommended but optional.  You may use your field helmet

Question 3: Can girls play box?

• • Answer: Absolutely 100% and with boys, the same age

Question 4: Why not just play field lacrosse in winter?

• Answer: When box lacrosse is coached and played using True Canadian principals, it really is a different sport and athletes will use different muscles that they do not use on the field.  This helps to build a multisport athlete and gives players a mental break from their field teams as well as a new challenge in the winter. 

Question 5: What are the benefits of box lacrosse?

• Answer: In short, more touches / reps and faster pace of play.  A player on a box lacrosse team will touch the ball more in a training or game vs field lacrosse due to the smaller sided play of box.  In games, the play is much faster and more like basketball vs the field, where game play is slower.   

Question 6: Why should my child who plays long pole defense play box?

• Speed: Box lacrosse is played in a smaller area, the speed is much faster than you would see outdoors. 
• Stick Handling: While playing in a smaller area, players must be very careful about holding the stick tighter. Playing in a box helps them improve their stick handling skills.
• Ball Transition Speed: The ball has to move quickly at a faster speed from defense to offense before 10 seconds as there is a 30-second shot clock that starts after getting possession of the ball.
• Body Position and Control: Box players have to maintain a good position as there are no D-poles. Also, they need better footwork and a good body position.
• Off-Ball Movement: Playing in a box means there is hardly any extra space to move around. This way, it helps the players learn how to cut, pick and stay in constant motion.
• Reaction time: As the ball moves much quicker, the goalies and the players have a shorter time to react. Their hands should be in sync with their eyes.
• Box lacrosse’s fast-paced, tight environment is the ultimate teacher for the players and helps them develop scoring skills and defense in tight confines.