In men's lacrosse, one of the most serious fouls that players must avoid is slashing. Slashing occurs when a player swings their crosse (stick) at an opponent with reckless abandon or with the intention to injure. In this article, we’ll dive into the rule surrounding slashing, what constitutes a slash, and the penalties associated with this dangerous foul.
According to the National Federation of High School Lacrosse rulebook, slashing is defined as:
"Swinging a crosse at an opponent’s crosse or body with deliberate viciousness or reckless abandon, regardless of whether the opponent’s crosse or body is struck."
In simple terms, slashing doesn’t always require the player to make contact with the opponent’s crosse or body. The mere act of swinging the stick recklessly or violently is enough to draw a penalty.