Simone Lawson
Women's lacrosse, or girls' lacrosse, is a field sport played internationally with two opposing teams of 10 players each. The rules of the women's game differ significantly from men's lacrosse, and the two are often considered to be different sports with a common root. An assist in women's lacrosse is defined as an intentional pass that gives a teammate a positional advantage, contributing directly to a goal. A player is credited with an assist when they make a pass that leads directly to a goal, with no more than three steps in between. The rules of women's lacrosse also include specific equipment requirements, such as the need for eyewear or lacrosse goggles and a mouthguard, as well as restrictions on the length of the stick and the depth of the pocket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of direct passes | One |
| Number of steps taken by the player receiving the pass | No more than 3 |
| Whether the player receiving the pass has to dodge or evade an opponent | No |
| Whether the pass sets up a goal | Yes |
| Whether the pass helps a teammate gain a goal | Yes |
| Whether the pass is intentional | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
A direct pass to a teammate who then scores
In women's lacrosse, a direct pass to a teammate who then scores constitutes an assist. This is when a player makes an intentional pass that gives a teammate a positional advantage, contributing directly to a goal. The pass must be thrown to count as a pass. For example, kicking the ball to a teammate does not count as a pass.
There is a limit to the number of steps that can be taken for a pass to count as an assist. While the exact number of steps varies, it is generally accepted that taking more than three steps waives off the assist. It is important to note that the steps taken are not the only factor in determining an assist, as the pass should also set up the goal without the receiving player having to dodge or evade an opponent, except for the goalkeeper who is in the crease.
The definition of an assist in women's lacrosse is not included in the rulebook, and referees do not keep track of assists during a game. The determination of an assist is left to the statistician or scorekeeper, who decides based on their interpretation of the player's intent to feed a goal-scoring player.
Assists are important to record, especially for coaches, as feeding is an integral part of the game. Not recording assists may encourage players to try to dodge everyone on the field instead of passing the ball for a quick stick.
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No dodging or evading an opponent
In women's lacrosse, an assist is given when a player makes a pass that contributes directly to a goal. This means that if a player passes the ball to a teammate who then scores a goal without having to dodge or evade an opponent (other than the goalkeeper), the passer is credited with an assist. There is a specific set of criteria that must be met for a pass to be considered an assist:
- The pass must be intentional and give a teammate a positional advantage.
- There should be a conscious effort on the part of the passer to find an open player or help a player get free for a shot.
- The pass and the shot should appear to be part of the same play, with no particular time frame between the pass and the shot.
- The player scoring the goal should not have to take more than three steps after receiving the pass before shooting.
It is important to note that the definition of an assist can vary slightly depending on the specific rules and interpretations of the statistician or scorekeeper. However, the key factor is that the pass directly contributes to a goal without the need for the recipient to dodge or evade an opponent.
While the rules of women's lacrosse differ from those of men's lacrosse, the criteria for an assist appear to be similar in both sports. In both cases, the focus is on the direct contribution of the pass to the goal, with the passer being credited for setting up the scoring opportunity.
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The role of the statistician
The statistician's judgement is crucial in determining whether a pass was intentional and directly led to a goal. Their interpretation of the play and assessment of the player's intent influence the decision to credit an assist. This subjectivity highlights the importance of the statistician's role and their understanding of the game.
In women's lacrosse, an assist is not solely based on the number of steps taken by the player receiving the pass. Instead, it focuses on the impact of the pass on the scoring opportunity. The statistician must consider the flow of the play and the overall context of the game when deciding whether to record an assist.
While there may be slight variations in the interpretation of assists, the statistician's primary goal is to accurately capture the contributions of players beyond goal-scoring. By recording assists, statisticians provide valuable information for coaches, players, and analysts, helping them evaluate performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and develop strategies.
Additionally, the statistician's role extends beyond assists and typically involves tracking a range of statistical categories. These categories might include shots on goal, saves by goalkeepers, ground balls, draw controls, caused turnovers, and other metrics that provide insights into the performance of individual players and teams.
In summary, the role of the statistician in women's lacrosse is vital to understanding the game and its nuances. By recording assists and other statistical data, statisticians contribute to a deeper understanding of the sport, facilitating performance analysis, strategic decision-making, and overall improvement in women's lacrosse.
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The limit of steps
In women's lacrosse, the rules regarding assists and the number of steps taken are a little unclear and may depend on the interpretation of the statistician or scorekeeper. However, there is a general consensus that an assist is given when a player makes a pass that contributes directly to a goal, without the need for the receiving player to dodge or evade an opponent (excluding the goalkeeper in the crease).
Some sources suggest that there is a limit of three steps that can be taken after receiving the pass for it to still count as an assist. If the player takes more than three steps, the assist may be waived. This limit ensures that the pass and the shot are considered part of the same play and discourages individual players from attempting to take on the entire opposing team instead of passing to a teammate.
However, others suggest that the limit may be slightly more flexible, with one source stating that "technically it's no dodge and no more than three steps, but I would be a little more lenient when I kept stats" and another stating that they believe the limit is two steps.
Ultimately, the decision of whether to award an assist may come down to the interpretation of the statistician or scorekeeper, and there may be some variation in how strictly the three-step limit is applied. It is important to note that assists are not an official statistic in women's lacrosse, and they are not recorded by referees, but rather by scorekeepers or coaches.
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A pass from the defensive zone
In women's lacrosse, an assist is an important statistic that recognises a player's contribution to a goal-scoring play. While the rules of women's lacrosse differ from those of men's lacrosse, the concept of an assist remains consistent.
It's important to note that the interpretation of what constitutes an assist can vary slightly. Some sources mention a three-step limit, suggesting that if the receiving player takes more than three steps after the pass, it may not be considered an assist. However, this rule is not universally agreed upon, and different organisations may have their own interpretations.
In the context of a pass from the defensive zone, the key consideration is whether the pass directly contributes to the goal. If the pass initiates a fast break or creates a scoring opportunity that results in a goal, it would typically be credited as an assist. This reflects the strategic nature of the game, where passing plays a crucial role in transitioning from defence to attack.
Coaches and scorekeepers often pay close attention to assists as they highlight the importance of teamwork and passing in lacrosse. While the rules and interpretations may vary slightly between different leagues or organisations, the fundamental concept of an assist remains consistent, recognising the player who sets up a teammate for a goal-scoring opportunity.
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Frequently asked questions
An assist is a pass that contributes directly to a goal. There can only be one assist per goal.
A direct contribution to a goal is when a player passes to a teammate who scores without having to dodge or evade an opponent (other than the goalkeeper).
The scoring player can take up to three steps after receiving the pass for it to count as an assist.
