Tripping in Men's Lacrosse: Rules, Penalties, and How to Avoid It

Tripping is one of the most common fouls in lacrosse, but it’s also one of the easiest to avoid when players focus on their techniques and maintain control of their movements. In this article, we’ll break down what constitutes tripping, when it’s penalized, and how players can prevent it from happening during a game.

What is Tripping in Lacrosse?

In lacrosse, tripping occurs when a player uses their stick, body, or any part of their equipment to intentionally or recklessly cause an opponent to fall. This infraction can happen in various situations, but it generally involves one player attempting to disrupt the movement of another by hitting their legs or feet, causing them to lose balance.

According to the National Federation of High School Lacrosse rulebook, tripping is defined as:

"Using the crosse, body, or any other part of the player’s equipment to cause an opponent to lose their balance and fall."

In other words, if a player uses their stick or body to knock an opponent’s legs or feet out from under them, whether it’s intentional or not, it is considered a trip.

What Does Tripping Look Like?

Tripping can happen in a variety of ways, but it typically involves one of the following scenarios:

1. Stick to the Legs or Feet:
   One of the most common forms of tripping is when a player swings their stick down to strike an opponent’s legs or feet. This can happen when a defender is trying to disrupt an offensive player’s movement, and the defender swings their stick recklessly or too low, catching the opponent’s legs.

2. Body or Shoulder to the Legs:
   Another form of tripping occurs when a player’s body (usually their shoulder or hip) makes contact with an opponent’s legs, causing them to trip and fall. If a player’s movement is too aggressive or out of control, this can easily lead to tripping.

3. Intentional Trips:
   In some cases, players may try to trip an opponent intentionally by extending their stick or body into the path of the opponent’s legs or feet, effectively causing them to fall. While this is illegal, it does happen from time to time, especially when players are frustrated or desperate to disrupt the play.

4. Feet Out of Position:
   A player might also trip an opponent unintentionally if their feet are out of position and they make contact with the opponent’s legs. While this may not always be intentional, it is still considered a foul because it causes the other player to fall.

When is Tripping a Penalty?

Tripping is called a penalty whenever a player uses their stick, body, or any other part of their equipment to cause an opponent to fall, whether intentionally or not. Here’s when tripping typically results in a penalty:

1. Using the Stick to Trip an Opponent:
   If a player swings their crosse and makes contact with an opponent’s legs or feet in a manner that causes the opponent to fall, this is considered tripping.

2. Body Contact Leading to a Fall:
   Tripping can also occur when a player uses their body to hit an opponent’s legs, knocking them off balance. This is especially dangerous when it occurs in a way that the opponent cannot anticipate or defend against.

3. Illegal Movement or Positioning:
   If a player is in a poor position and their feet get in the way of an opponent’s legs, causing a fall, the referee will likely call tripping. This is particularly true if the player’s feet are deliberately placed in the path of the opponent’s legs.

Penalties for Tripping

Tripping is a personal foul in lacrosse, and it is usually penalized by a time in the penalty box. Here's what you can expect when a tripping foul is called:

1. One-Minute Penalty:
   In most cases, a tripping foul results in a one-minute penalty. The player who commits the foul must serve time in the penalty box, and the team will play one player short for that minute. If the opposing team scores during the penalty, the player will still serve the full time in the box.

2. Two-Minute Penalty (for dangerous tripping):
   If the tripping foul is particularly reckless or dangerous—such as when it leads to injury—the referee may call a two-minute penalty. This longer penalty is typically imposed when a player trips an opponent in a way that could lead to serious injury, like tripping someone from behind while they’re in a vulnerable position.

3. Flag Down with a Goal Scored:
   If the tripping occurs while a team is attempting to score and they succeed, the goal will still count. However, the player who committed the foul will still have to serve their penalty in the box. The game will continue with a short-handed face-off for the team of the penalized player.

How to Avoid Tripping Penalties

While tripping is often unintentional, it’s still a penalty that players should strive to avoid. Here are some tips to help players stay in control and avoid tripping:

1. Focus on Stick Control:
   When defending, players should always keep their stick under control. Swinging the stick too low or too wildly can result in tripping an opponent. Practice using controlled checks to disrupt the opponent's play without hitting their legs or feet.

2. Maintain Proper Positioning:
   Always position yourself in a way that minimizes the chance of making illegal contact with the opponent’s legs. Make sure to keep your feet in front of the player, and avoid getting caught out of position.

3. Use Legal Checks:
   Rather than attempting to trip the opponent, use legal checks like poke checks or body positioning to slow them down. By focusing on controlled movements, players can avoid unnecessary fouls and keep the game fair and safe.

4. Watch for Vulnerable Situations:
   Be cautious when defending near the opponent's legs or feet. If you’re chasing an opponent from behind or trying to check them near the legs, always be mindful of how your body and stick are positioned to avoid accidental tripping.

Conclusion

Tripping is a common penalty in lacrosse, but it’s also one of the easiest fouls to avoid with the right techniques and mindset. Whether it’s caused by a poorly executed stick check or improper body positioning, tripping is considered a personal foul and can result in time in the penalty box. By focusing on stick control, proper positioning, and using legal checks, players can minimize the risk of committing a tripping foul and play the game safely and fairly.