How Long Does a Regulation Lacrosse Game Last?

How Long Is a Lacrosse Game?

When it comes to playing lacrosse, in addition to having the right lacrosse training equipment, it is important to understand the rules. One of the most basic things to know is how long a game lasts and how the timing works. However, these can vary depending on the level and league.

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How Long Is a High School Lacrosse Game?

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) mandates the varsity lacrosse game length as 48 minutes long with four 12-minute quarters. Junior varsity and middle school games include four 10-minute quarters. Teams get a two-minute break following the first and third periods, plus a 10-minute halftime period. Additionally, there are "stop clock" rules. NFHS lacrosse stops the clock for all dead ball situations, which include goals scored, going out of bounds, timeouts and penalties. At all NFHS levels, there is also a "mercy rule" - if a team has a lead of 12 goals or more in the second half, the clock only stops for timeouts. Should the deficit shrink to less than 12 goals, then normal timing resumes.

Varsity and middle school games that are tied after regulation go to sudden-victory overtime. The teams play four-minute periods and the first team to score wins. Junior varsity games simply end in a tie.

How Long Are College Lacrosse Games?

All NCAA lacrosse games are 60 minutes long, consisting of four 15-minute quarters. The halftime and between-quarter times are the same as high school. Women's games were once played as two 30-minute halves, but they switched to 15-minute quarters in 2021.

The college level is also when we start seeing the shot clock. In men's college lacrosse, the clock starts at 80 seconds when a team takes possession and then resets to 60 seconds when they cross the midfield line. For women's lacrosse, the initial shot clock is 90 seconds, and it resets to 60 seconds after an official shot.

How Long Are Professional Lacrosse Games?

The indoor National Lacrosse League (NLL) has four 15-minute quarters with two-minute breaks between quarters and a 12-minute halftime break. The clock stops immediately following each goal and when the official blows the whistle.

The outdoor Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) has four 12-minute quarters and uses stop-clock rules during the final minute of each quarter. During the first 11 minutes, the clock only stops for goals scored, timeouts and penalties.

The NLL has a 30-second shot clock while the PLL has a 52-second shot clock. Both leagues have sudden-victory overtime with each period being the same length as a regulation quarter.