How long is a lacrosse game? The average lacrosse game lasts between 48 and 60 minutes. This includes four 12-15 minute quarters with a 10 minute halftime. Depending on your level of play, these times can vary.
I’m Jake and I’m a lacrosse coach. One of the most common questions I get asked is how long are lacrosse games. Below, I’ve compiled all the information you need to understand the length of lacrosse games. Let’s get into it.
The Parts of a Lacrosse Game
Quarter:
Each lacrosse game has 4 quarters. These quarters usually last between 12 and 15 minutes. Depending on your league, game clocks can be managed in two ways:
Running Clock: the clock keeps running even if the ball is out of bounds or while a penalty is being assessed. This is usually the case in youth lacrosse games where games are shorter.
Stop Clock: the clock stops after the ball goes out of pounds or while a penalty is being assessed. This happens in most high school, college, and professional games.
After each quarter, teams switch sides of the field. There is also a 1-2 minute break in between each quarter for teams to come together and huddle.
Timeouts:
Lacrosse coaches are awarded “timeout” periods that they can use to talk with their team. Timeouts usually last 2-3 minutes, and coaches get 3 timeouts per game.
Remember, the number of timeouts can vary league by league, so double check with your coach to be sure.
Halftime:
After two quarters of play, each team has a longer halftime break for players to rest and coaches to have strategic talks with players. These halftimes usually average around 10 minutes in length.
This also gives fans a chance to grab something from the concession stand or use the restroom.
Overtime:
If two teams end the four quarters with a tie, an additional overtime period is used to decide a winner.
Lacrosse overtimes use a “sudden death” format where the first team to score wins the game.
Overtime periods are usually shorter than quarters and last around 5 minutes. Additional overtime periods will be played until a victor is decided. One college lacrosse game went into 7 overtimes!
Penalties:
When a lacrosse player commits a penalty, refs will stop the clock to assess the penalty. This assessment depends on the penalty, but it usually lasts around 1 minute.
This assessment isn’t part of the length of the game, but it’s additional time that you can expect.
Warmup:
Most lacrosse teams warm up at least 30 minutes before the actual game starts. If you’re a lacrosse parent, make sure to take your player to the field at least 30 minutes before the game.
How long are college lacrosse games?
A men’s college lacrosse game is 60 minutes in length, divided into four, 15 minute quarters.
There is a 2 minute break in between each quarter, and a 10 minute halftime.
Each coach gets 3 timeouts in a game that last around 2 minutes.
If the game ends in a tie, an overtime is played in periods of 4 minutes until the first team scores.
How long are high school lacrosse games?
A boys high school lacrosse game is 48 minutes in length, divided into, four 12 minute quarters.
There is a 2 minute break in between each quarter, and a 10 minute halftime.
Each coach gets 3 timeouts in a game that last around 2 minutes.
Overtime is played in periods of 4 minutes until the first team scores.
How long are Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) Games?
A PLL lacrosse game is 48 minutes long, divided into 12 minute quarters. Teams also have a halftime period of 10 minutes.
Coaches are awarded 3 timeout periods that are 4 minutes each.
If the game ends in a time, there is a 12 minute overtime period.
How long are National Lacrosse League (NLL) Games?
An NLL lacrosse game is 60 minutes in length, divided into four 15 minute quarters.
Halftime is a little longer than other leagues, lasting 15 minutes.
Overtime is played in periods of 15 minutes until the first team scores.
How long are Boys Youth Lacrosse Games?
A typical boys youth lacrosse game is 32 minutes in length, divided into four 8 minute quarters.
Games are also running clock – meaning the clock doesn’t stop when the ball goes out of bounds or when there’s a penalty.
Overtime is played in periods of 4 minutes until the first team scores.
How Long Are Women’s College Lacrosse Games?
A women’s college lacrosse game is 60 minutes in length, divided into 4, 15 minutes quarters.
They used to be played in halves, but switched to quarters in 2022.
Halftime for women’s college lacrosse games are 10 minutes.
Overtime is 6 minutes divided into 3 minutes halves with a victory for the team that scores first.
How Long Are Girls High School Lacrosse Games?
A high school girls lacrosse game is 50 minutes in length, divided into 25 minute halves. After each half, there is a 10 minute halftime.
Coaches get 3 timeouts that are 3 minutes each.
Overtime is 6 minutes divided into 3 minutes halves with a victory for the team that scores first.
How Long Are Youth Girls Lacrosse Games?
A youth girls lacrosse game is 24 minutes in length, divided into 12 minute halves. After each half, there is a 10 minute halftime.
Overtime is played in periods of 5 minutes.
What can I expect when watching a lacrosse game?
Physical Contact: Lacrosse is a full-contact sport, so expect to see plenty of hits and checks with the stick.
Penalties: The most common penalties are pushing a player from behind or slashing a player in the helmet with a stick.
When a player commits a penalty, he or she goes to a penalty box for 1-2 minutes and his or her team plays with one less player.
Running/Sprinting: Much like soccer or basketball, players are constantly running throughout a lacrosse game. Many players can run 3-5 miles in a single game.
Lacrosse is called “the fastest sport on two feet” for a reason.
Players Behind the Goal: Similar to hockey, lacrosse players can move behind the goal, not just in front of it (like football or soccer).
What are the rules of a lacrosse game?
You can check out our full guide to lacrosse rules here or view our YouTube video above.
Here are a few quick lacrosse rules:
- The lacrosse team with the most points at the end of the game, wins.
- There are 10 players on the field for each lacrosse team.
- Offensive players must stay out of the crease – a circle around the lacrosse goal that prevents a player from getting too close to the goal.
- Lacrosse players keep the ball in their stick with a movement called cradling.
Hopefully this article gives you a good idea of how long a lacrosse game is. Please let me know if you have any questions.